Organize It
Staying Organized
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Make It Part of Your Family’s Daily Routine!
I have seen it all firsthand; buckets of toys dumped out and turned into life-size dramatic play. The next thing you know, the floor is no longer visible and the children begin to take off onto their next adventure leaving the room in its wonderfully creative AND chaotic state. First and foremost, resist the urge to jump into every mess they make and take over. It’s tempting and I have done it countless times but by doing this, we are NOT doing our children any favors. I realized it was my job, as a parent, to teach them invaluable life skills like how to be organized and how to maintain order. In other words, it was I who needed to lay the foundation from which they could build upon. By knowing that everything has a place – your child can now keep everything in its place more easily. As I see it, the key to dealing with kid’s clutter is to partner with your child. You need to organize WITH them instead of FOR them.
Top Five Tips for Helping Kids Organize:
1. Get down to their level-literally
Seek out low-level storage solutions (i.e. shelving) so that they can be part of the solution and maintenance (especially for toddlers; this is very empowering)
2. Sort, Store and Simplify
Create categories, Mark containers, and Rotate in and out Toys-No Need to Keep Everything Out!
3. Avoid Duplications; Consider Donating or Selling Extras
It is not trashing something when donating as is often misconceived; if your children are not using it, there are plenty
of other children out there who will get much use out of it! It is also a great lesson for children to participate in doing something altruistic.
4. Re-visit Toy/Clothing Inventory every 6 Months/Season-Be Honest with Yourself
If your child received something for the holidays and by June or July has not enjoyed it to the fullest, consider selling it for summer toys or donating it
5. Build and STICK to a routine!! One toy in-One toy out!
Be realistic with your expectations based on your family’s lifestyle-Perhaps a three toy in, three toy out works better. Also consider age, a 2-year-old can put back two things whereas a 5 or 6-year-old is capable of much more involvement. Either way, stick to your rules daily!
If the clutter or clothing has just become out of control, consider bringing in a professional to help you purge and create a system specific to YOUR family and its needs! Call today and I can help you truly Love Your Space!
Column written by Shannon Tracy, owner of Love Your Space, for SuzySaid Acton 2010
I have seen it all firsthand; buckets of toys dumped out and turned into life-size dramatic play. The next thing you know, the floor is no longer visible and the children begin to take off onto their next adventure leaving the room in its wonderfully creative AND chaotic state. First and foremost, resist the urge to jump into every mess they make and take over. It’s tempting and I have done it countless times but by doing this, we are NOT doing our children any favors. I realized it was my job, as a parent, to teach them invaluable life skills like how to be organized and how to maintain order. In other words, it was I who needed to lay the foundation from which they could build upon. By knowing that everything has a place – your child can now keep everything in its place more easily. As I see it, the key to dealing with kid’s clutter is to partner with your child. You need to organize WITH them instead of FOR them.
Top Five Tips for Helping Kids Organize:
1. Get down to their level-literally
Seek out low-level storage solutions (i.e. shelving) so that they can be part of the solution and maintenance (especially for toddlers; this is very empowering)
2. Sort, Store and Simplify
Create categories, Mark containers, and Rotate in and out Toys-No Need to Keep Everything Out!
3. Avoid Duplications; Consider Donating or Selling Extras
It is not trashing something when donating as is often misconceived; if your children are not using it, there are plenty
of other children out there who will get much use out of it! It is also a great lesson for children to participate in doing something altruistic.
4. Re-visit Toy/Clothing Inventory every 6 Months/Season-Be Honest with Yourself
If your child received something for the holidays and by June or July has not enjoyed it to the fullest, consider selling it for summer toys or donating it
5. Build and STICK to a routine!! One toy in-One toy out!
Be realistic with your expectations based on your family’s lifestyle-Perhaps a three toy in, three toy out works better. Also consider age, a 2-year-old can put back two things whereas a 5 or 6-year-old is capable of much more involvement. Either way, stick to your rules daily!
If the clutter or clothing has just become out of control, consider bringing in a professional to help you purge and create a system specific to YOUR family and its needs! Call today and I can help you truly Love Your Space!
Column written by Shannon Tracy, owner of Love Your Space, for SuzySaid Acton 2010
