By Jessica Hoelzel
Got kids? Well, then you’ve got stuff. Lots of stuff. Believe me, I know. I have two little sweeties of my own, and even though I am a Professional Organizer AND Feng Shui Consultant that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with kids’ clutter. The most important thing you can do to get full rein over the clutter? Purge. That’s right. I’m sure your kids got the latest and the greatest as gifts – so what about all that other stuff that they’ve forgotten about? You’ve got to let some go. Think about it this way – by age 10, your child will have been through (the math is easy) 10 holidays. That’s adding stuff into your home 10 times. It sure piles up – especially if you have more than one kid. (And we are not even talking about birthdays, toys as rewards for good behavior, or toys “just because”).
The point is, keep what your kids love (what they DO play with) and store or let go of the rest. If you don’t have a lot of storage, you are going to have to do a lot of the purging.
Use these handy tips to help make the job easier:
1. For every toy that comes in, donate an old one to a thrift store or shelter (when in good shape).
2. Get rid of things your children don’t play with, and toys that are broken, missing parts, or dingy. This will lighten the load incredibly.
3. Have children pick toys to pass on. They will be happy to have a stake in the process. Store them for the next youngest, or share with cousins (but only if they aren’t burdened by clutter!)
4. Store toys for future siblings or generations by age (i.e. 1 year, 2 years…). Keep in sturdy plastic tubs. They’ll be easily retrievable when company comes or when the next child is ready for them.
5. If putting toys in a garage sale, encourage children by letting them keep the money earned, or use it for a fun family outing.
6. If you are getting too many toys as gifts, encourage gift-givers to donate to the child’s college fund or towards an extracurricular activity instead of piling up material goods. The savings will be much more valuable, and it teaches children an important lesson.
And as far as corralling the new stuff – here are some helpful tips to keep things in good condition, and keep the pieces together:
1. Buy clear plastic bins for each “set”. Cut out part of the box it came in to label the outside and identify. Kids love making their own labels.
2. Help kids put things away. Teach them about sorting. A good activity for brain development!
3. Plastic dressers work great for storing dress-up, Barbies, action figures or Little People things. Kids can easily open and close the drawers. (And they fit in kids’ closets because their clothes don’t hang too low.)
4. Put small pieces in plastic storage bags or small food storage containers with lids.
5. Save warranties/instructions for toys in a plastic Velcro wallet. Label the front.
6. By all means, avoid dumping everything together, mixed up into a toy box or bins. You will regret it later!!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Organizing for the New Year
By Jessica Hoelzel
When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.
Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”
Make it an organized new year!
When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.
Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”
Make it an organized new year!
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