Do you have a child? Does he have a bedroom? With a closet?
Are you afraid to go in there?
Closet
Relax! Closet organizing is not just a topic for adults. After all, if you could get your child to keep her closet organized, you could get her to...rule the world. See? This is good stuff.
Successful closet organizing for your child is based on the same ideas you would use in your own closet.
-- all has its place.
-- all is accessible.
-- Get rid of what you don't use.
-- Use tools and accessories to forestall clutter.
For maximum effectiveness, I suggest you organize your closet with your child working alongside you. While you have the final say in all decisions, a child that has some input will bring cooperation to the process and assuredly will have some vital pieces of facts to contribute.
Your child needs to tell you how she likes to use her closet. Lots of hanging clothes? Toys stored in the closet? Need more shelving? Tiny items that need to be sorted?
If your young sweetie can't see the point in this domestic exercise, you can try pointing out that an organized closet will save him time and energy. But, at the end of the day, you may naturally have to play the Big Card.
"Because I said so", is the parent's intuit of option and always plays well with "the buck stops here".
Once that's settled, here are the quick steps to use during this closet organizing session with your child.
1. Take a good long look.
The first step is to open those closet doors wide and see what's assuredly in there. Can't see the back or the floor? Then all should come out.
Yes, this is the part of the process for the strong and the mighty. Steel yourself. Unclaimed food nestled in the back angle of the closet will Not make you and your child feel closer.
2. Get rid of what's broken, moldy, out-of-date, or no longer used or wanted.
As always, recycle usable items to a local charity. Be sure and comprise your child in this important step of community involvement.
3. Collate what's left.
This is where you both determine what needs to get hung up, folded and shelved, put in bins and baskets, or archived to a good place.
4. Make a list and shop for the organizing accessories you need. Together.
Or use cardboard boxes and customize (including decorating) to your kiddo's satisfaction. This is the fun part!
5. Put all in its place.
You are not done with your closet organizing until all has a place. Everything. Period.
6. Allot ten minutes a day to Keep all in its place in this newly organized closet.
This is the crucial step. If you don't impose this, you might as well not even start in the first place. The truth is, this part is called 'discipline' and most kids aren't born with any. But they need it and you can teach it to them. You'll find this is a fabulous opening to do so.
If needful (and it probably will be), your child may need help looking the value of keeping their closet in exquisite working order.
-- Do they like to socialize with their friends?
Then they put in their ten minutes (or thirty seconds if they get practiced) of clean-up time every day.
-- Do they enjoy some free time?
Have they done their ten minutes?
-- Do they look forward to other privileges?
Is all in its place each and every day?
This is naturally a new habit and like all habits, takes a bit of time and practice to master. Give your child the opening to feel frightful about themselves by tackling a closet organizing session with them. It may just inspire you to go take a peek in your own closets!
Closet Organizing for Kids
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