Kids and Clutter

Organizing Kids: Cleaning & Clutter Tips Needed

I have 5 children ranging from 2 years to 13 years old. I work outside the home and I am a single parent. We do 2 loads of laundry a day. The house gets cluttered fast. I need tips on how to keep it clean in the limited time I have and be able to spend time with the kids. Any suggestions?
ML

Organizing Kids: Their Own Space

I have three children myself and have found that a great way to get rid of the clutter is to make sure each child has their own space. For the school aged children I have put double hooks directly inside the door. They hang-up their coats and book bags when the walk in the door. I have a two year-old little girl, in her room we have taken an old shelf shelf (mine when I was a child) that has 9 small compartments. We use tubs that were saved from trips in the hospital that were used for sponge baths, they fit the spaces of the shelf almost exact. She uses a different tub for small things. For example, one for tub toys, one for toy dishes, one for lego's etc. It is nice that she can take out a tub and put it away by herself. We also have built in cubbies on one wall that hold blankets and extra sheets and one for dress-up clothes. In the boys room we have used wall space and hang-up all their sporting equipment. Looks just as sporting as having a poster up. We have a rule in our house that your room must be clean everynight before you go to bed. This works for us (even the 2 year old picks up her own stuff).
Julie

Organizing Kids: Places to Store

Wow, you have your hands full! The first thing that I think you need is lots of storage areas. If you have a money crunch, check out yardsales. Look for dressers, shelves, baskets etc. Our houses tend to look less cluttered when things are hiding in other things.

My collection of magazine subscriptions is hiding in an old picnic basket from a sale, $1.00. For just $5.00 I got one of the boys a really nice stereo shelf, big enough to hold not only the stereo, but the cd's and some video games etc. Plastic toolboxes are nice for little collections. I have one for my sewing, one for a lego collection, one for painting supplies. In cupboards (where no one sees) you can use shoe boxes to clean out clutter. Put school supplies in one, househould tools in one, etc. I still have just as much junk as the next person but it doesn't look like it because the clutter is stored in boxes, tins, etc. It's sometimes difficult getting the kids to put stuff back when they are done, but they soon catch on to how nice it is to know where things are!

Laundry...maybe you and some of the older kids can do it and have it sorted and folded so all the little ones need to do is open their drawers to put it away. Mine usually sits on the dining room table where everyone can grab "their pile" has they head past. Doesn't always work, but for the most part it does.

And if your boss ever allows you to go home a couple hours early because of slow work? Resist the temptation to go get the kids. Use the couple hours for some quiet time that you can do what you like.
Laura

Organizing Kids: A Variety of Solutions

I have two girls who seem to enjoy living in a cluttered environment. Here are a few ideas which have been helpful.

• Put away half of their toys. Switch them around every few months.
  
  
• Use boxes with labels on them, milk crates and storage bins to sort out toys and put them away.
  
  
• You can never have too many bookshelves. Use bricks/milk crates and boards or find them at garage sales.
  
  
• Use a timer and make it a game to see how much can be cleaned up in 5 minutes. Have a treat afterwards of reading a book to them or having a snack.
  
  
• Make a rule that there are no toys allowed in the kitchen and/or dining room. When you are feeling overwhelmed, you can retreat to that room and relax!!
  
  
• When someone is coming over, shovel the stuff on the counters off into a box. Throw the box into a cupboard. Sort it out at a later date while watching tv.
  
  
• Give the kids a clean-up roster and make it worthwhile!
  
  
• Have a garage sale and let the kids sell some of their toys, have a koolaid stand, sell cupcakes etc.
  
  
• Let your standards drop a bit. Kids will not remember how tidy the house was, they will remember how much love they received!! You will someday be on your own again and can have the sort of house you dream about!

Organizing Kids: Assign Chores

What we try to do is to allot certain chores to each person in the family. The oldest ones could do laundry...taking turns between the 2 oldest and you. You could do it on the first day, the oldest child on the second day, the next oldest on the third day and then back to you again. (Or however you choose to divide it up.)

We have a dishwasher and one child is always expected to empty it out when it's clean. Another child is always expected to take the trash out 3 times a week. (We live in an apartment complex and have a dumpster...You could also have a child simply collect the trash 3 times a week and put it out whenever.)

Finally, everyone is required to pick up their toys, books, clothes and whatever they might have used for the day. Normally by a certain time in the afternoon/evening, otherwise there is a great chance it ends up in the trash.

Basically, it's child training at it's best. Not to say that that's how it always works here. Children are still in training here and there will be days that you'll wonder if it's worth it, but always remember...Whatever methods you may choose to go with...consistency will win out over everything else.
JK

Organizing Kids: Containers!

I have a one-word solution-containers! When my son was little and his clothes were short on the hangers, my husband built removeable shelves inside and we painted them blue and white. We bought a half-dozen blue and white laundry baskets and that stored his toys. Out of sight is neater, and containers help immensely.

With our youngest just turning 2 1/2, he has a laundry basket in the living room for toys and clutter and it makes things neater. I may not have a place for everything, but I have a container for it!
T.

Organizing Kids: Your Own Cleaning Crew

This person has a cleaning crew in her own house! A chore chart will help to eliminate most of her problems. Yes, she'll have to initiate the whole process, spend some time developing a list, be consistent in her expectations of EVERY child (even the 2 year old), and set some very stiff consequences when chores are not done, i.e. oldest children can't participate in extra-curricular activities until their chores are done, etc. This parent needs to be an organized person. If they are not, they won't be able to help themselves see a way out of this problem. I lived in such a household...two unorganized parents, two unorganized siblings...it was a frustrating situation for me. My household, to this day, is the only one that is organized.

Each child needs to be told and expected to keep up with their responsibilities. The 2 year old should be required to put away one toy before being allowed to play with another and toys should be restricted to one and ONLY one room of the house.. If necessary, use a locked toy chest. This way the child will have to ask for another toy and have to put back the one toy that is out before a new toy can be issued for play. I'm a believer in allowance for children just because, without any ties to chores, and required to use their own allowance for certain things which are their responsibility. This way, school-aged children are responsible for packing their own lunch. If they do not, they will either have to go hungry or spend their own allowance money for lunch. The parent should NEVER EVER drop what they're doing to run a lunch or lunch money to the school...teach your children that they are directly responsible for these type things in their life. The oldest children can be expected to do everything from laundry to cooking meals. Even the youngest child can be expected to keep their own things, like blankets, etc. put away or face the consequence of not having them.

Get rid of all unnecessary clutter...unused toys, papers, clothes, stuff that junks up a house. Everything should have a place and be expected to in it's place when not in use.

To quote Sarah Ban Breathnach that wrote Simple Abundance:

1. If you take it out, put it back.
   
   
2. If you open it, close it.
   
   
3. If you throw it down, pick it up.
   
   
4. If you take it off, hang it up.

This parent needs to take a good look at themselves, their organizational skills, and their willingness to be an effective parent in order for this situation to improve. I have three book suggestions for this parent...these books, in my opinion should be on every person's reading and reference bookshelf:

Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
Clutter Free, Finally and Forever by Don Aslett
How to Raise Happy, Responsible Children by John Rosemond

...and yes, this parent should have time for a little reading after the children go to bed at a reasonable hour....8:00 p.m. for the children under school age, 8:30 p.m. for the youngest school children, and no later than 9:00 p.m. for the oldest children.

Parents need to start taking charge and being responsible, effective parents. The good-parent syndrome is for the birds and you'll only get irresponsible, rude, obnoxious, and otherwise annoying offspring trying to be a "good parent".

One last thing, if this parent is not getting 50% of the non-custodial parent's income, they need to pursue that through their local child support office. This additional income might enable this parent to work less hours and be less stressed as an individual. The extra time could be spent on themselves first, so they will be better able to deal with their situation.

My home is a tight ship yet doesn't lack an abundance of warmth, fun, love, and support for all. Life is good when there is organization and rules to be followed.
Marie R.

Organizing Kids: To Each His Own

I am not the picture of organization, but I do have a few tips that keep me from losing my mind over the mess. First, try to get a different colored laundry basket for each child. Write their name on it. As clothes come out of the laundry sort them in to the baskets. The kids who are big enough to put their own clothes away can do so, and the other kids can at least carry the baskets into their room. If they never make it into the drawer, so be it, but they are at least within reach of the child who can select clothing directly from the basket if need be. Assign kids the task of matching socks, which can take a lot of time if you are doing it yourself. They can be doing sock matching while you are sorting and you will be spending some time together as well as getting things done.

Along the same line as the above tip - give each child a plastic bin [or basket or whatever] with their name on it. When you need to have them pick up a mess they can just toss it all into their bin and take it where it needs to be put away all in one trip since they can easily carry a loaded bin but might have to make multiple trips to the toybox with several loose items. This might even reduce the amount of whining they do over having to clean up.

Try to get things into the trash as fast as you can - we bought a personal shredder for under $30. The kids get a kick out of shredding the discarded mail as I open it up. That makes for another few minutes spent together while doing a necessary chore.

I purchased some inexpensive Rubbermaid drink containers a while back on a double coupon sale. They have paid for themselves many times over. First off when the kids drink out of them there are no spills to take my time cleaning up. That also saves on paper towels and/or laundry to do depending on what is handy for me to use to clean up the spill. The can go anywhere with them, since they are sold in 16 and 32 oz. sizes. We fill them up with ice water before getting in the car - saves on them asking us to stop and pick up sodas or juices. We also can refill them with water when we are at a fast food place, restaurant, or any place with a water fountain. These containers have a wide mouth and screw on top so all but probably your two year old can take care of filling them on their own.

Buy shampoo and conditioner in one. The Suave version costs less than buying two separate bottles of the other type and works great. Everyone takes less time on hair care which results in less time in the shower and less water on the floor to clean up. You also have one less thing in the shower to move around when you are cleaning.
Stephanie

Organizing Kids: With Kids in Mind

Try looking at your home with the kids in mind: put up hooks or pegs near the door they use most often for their jackets. Provide simple folders for each child (ours are in the living room near the TV cabinet) for keeping those school papers and notices. Have a laundry basket available to put toys and other things into that need to be returned to another room. Assign a simple 5-minute chore to each child (even the two-year-old can help sort laundry) every day. Now, can anyone tell me what to do with the bookbags when the kids come home from school?
Ida W

Organizing Kids: Proud Little Cleaners

I am also a single Mom of three wonderful children...boys ages 7 and 8, and a little girl, 4. I own and operate Licensed Pre-School from my home, so it is VITAL that I keep it clean! This can be somewhat tricky, with only myself and the children here...but with some good rules, and guidelines, we are very successful!! My children know that they are not able to "come downstairs" in the mornings, until their beds are made, bed clothes put away, and dirty clothes put in hampers. Also..they are responsible to clean up their bathroom mess, after brushing and flossing, which includes wiping the toothpaste out of the sink. I keep a supply of paper towels under the sink, for easy access, and they each do a wonderful job of cleaning up! They are proud of their clean house, and each of them work hard to help me keep it clean. Before we ever leave the house to run errands, or whatever...we always walk around "looking up, down and around" to be sure that we have things put in their spot. We like to come home to a clean house, it makes us all feel good to come home to clean...instead of clutter. Instill the desire to keep your home clean, from the beginning...I encourage my children to have "a place for everything, and everything in it's place!" My boys are especially proud to have friends over, because they have received comments on how organized their room is with shelving...totes, and see-through buckets. I also let them each have a desk....nothing fancy or expensive..garage sale finds, or donated from relatives. It teaches them organization, and independance. Re-use soup cans...paint and decorate, and you have instant pencil/marker containors! Keep shoe boxes...they are great under the bed storage for all the "things" children hate to part with. Out of sight, yet functional. Give each of your children a 'job' . My boys take out the trash..vacuum, and even sweep the floor. It is not always "perfect", yet they are trying their best, and feel great about their involvement! My daughter loves to help me organize newspapers for recycling, dust the furniture with me, and she also is a whiz at watering the plants! Just a little guidance while initially showing her, and she feels wonderful, too! Keep in mind that they are children, and not to overwhelm them with too much responsibility. But, also remind them that they are an important part of the family, and they in turn are incredibly receptive to lending a hand! Your children are never too young, or old, to learn valuable lessons in house-care. Just remind them that someday they will have their own house...and ask them how they want their house to look! Give them something to think about while they are busy doing their chores! This also promotes a closeness with your children...and you are creating memories....
Carrie B

Organizing Kids: Quality Time

To M.L., the single parent trying to get necessary work done and yet find "quality time" to spend with 5 kids.

I was a single parent/foster parent for 12 years. The last couple of years of that, I discovered that the chores themselves can be converted to quality time.

Dinner: I assigned each kid one day a week to help me with dinner (and help determine the menu), another kid to help with cleanup after dinner. Not 2 or 3 kids, just one at a time. Though they complained when I first introduced this policy, they found we could spend that time teaching/learning new techniques in the kitchen, or visiting about what happened at school today (or work today for me), etc. It was in this setting that I was fortunate enough to have my 14-year-old ask me what's-really-wrong-with-smoking-anyway, and my 9-year-old share her feelings about being adopted. The important thing is, that 20 minutes or so is devoted especially to that one kid. I found that my kids were actually looking forward to their turn to help me, and didn't complain when the other children got to go out and play. In fact, the real challenge became keeping the other kids out when it wasn't their turn!

Cleaning: To a lesser extent, this quality time can also be used in house cleaning chores--that need not be a dreaded burden. Do it as a family project, and challenge the kids to see how fast we can get it all done together this time. First we'll tackle the living room together, then the bathroom. No one leaves the room till we're all done. Little ones do the picking up, bigger ones do the wiping down, take turns watching the baby.

Homework: To my surprise, my son and I seem to really value the time we spend working on his homework. Though it's often arduous and grueling work to get math through his head, we both kind of enjoy that individual time together.

Life: Finally, cut yourself some slack. Your home might not be a showplace like the folks next door. You may not serve gourmet meals. But spending time teaching your kids how to get along in life is at least as valuable as the so-called "quality time" spent taking them to amusement parks and restaurants.
Norma L

Organizing Kids: Old Enough to...

There is a terrific book that helps you get your kids involved in cleaning called 401 Ways to get your Kids to work at Home by Bonnie McCullogh (not sure of spelling). We've had a rule around here forever - old enough to make the mess, old enough to clean the mess (or at least help). Your kids need to get involved at a level that works for them. This book, which is likely in your local library, is wonderful for that!
Paulette B.

Organizing Kids: Little Helpers

Put those children to work! Especially the older ones. There are a number of ways to do this, like a "job wheel" with chores on the outside, names on the inside - you rotatate it so that everyone does a different chore that day or week. But even little kids can pick up their own toys - my daughter has been responsible for pick-up since she was 3. This not only helps you, but it helps the family work as a community where everyone is expected to contribute.

Approach housework as a "do a little, frequently" task, rather than as a mega blitz on the weekend. For one thing, smaller tasks are easier to delegate to your children. Plus, most jobs get worse with time. If I do it three times/week, I can clean a bathroom in 3 minutes or less, but if I only do it once/week, the whole job turns really nasty.

Make your storage easily accessible by your children - use plastic dishpans or bins to store stuff with lots of pieces like Legos, put up hooks where they can hang towels, coats, and clothes.

Get rid of anything that the kids aren't really playing with, or that you yourself aren't using. We do this right before my daughter's birthday and Christmas. Broken stuff that can't be fixed gets pitched, good stuff that she isn't using either gets put in the attic for her little brother or donated to charity. She enjoys her toys a whole lot more when there are fewer of them.

Simplify their wardrobes so that you minimize the laundry. With about 10 basic pieces per child, you can build a very reasonable school wardrobe. Add to this "play clothes" for them to put on after school so that at least some of the time, they'll be able to wear school clothes more than once. Example, for a boy: 3 prs pants in neutral colors, 5 shirts (mix of long and short sleeves) that coordinate with the pants, a vest, and a sweater can be mixed and matched in a number of ways.

Make sure you aren't washing towels unnecessarily: assign each person a towel and have them use that one for a week, hanging it up after they're done.

For even more tips, check out Deniece Schofield's books, Secrets of an Organized Homemaker and Secrets of a Happily Organized Family. She's a mom of 4 kids (I think) and a wizard at home and time management! Don Aslett's book Clutter's Last Stand is another great one. I've found that I get back the time I spend organizing and planning four-fold.
Judith B.

Organizing Kids: Everything in Its Place

For the woman who has five children and wanted tips to reduce clutter in her home:

1. Get each child a rubbermaid-type 'stow' box to keep in a handy spot (near the back door or on the porch.) Make sure each child knows this is "THEIR" spot to store book bags, library books due back, mittens, etc. (anything related to needing for school or errands, etc.) In the morning set their lunch sacks on top of the box so it won't be forgotten on the way out the door.
   
   
2. Have the children set the table for breakfast in the evening after supper. The three oldest can share dishes with you as the two younger set the table. Even the two yr old can place a napkin or silverware. Use this time to chat about upcoming special family plans.
   
   
3. Set a designated 'homework hour' or two each evening. Mom can use this time to catch up on HER bookwork (check writing, etc) let the small child(ren) use the hour to look at picture books or crayon.
   
   
4. Color coordinate as much as you can to a particular child. This way you'll know by the 'color' who left their towel out, or their jacket, etc. Install a "penalty box" in the living room. Every item MOM has to pick up will be forefit until Saturday morning.. Each item reclaimed by its owner will pay a 'penalty' in either extra chores, or loss of a privelege. Believe ME! This box will sit empty after only a few short weeks!
   
   
5. Involve everyone in a fast whistle blowing "FIVE MINUTE PICKMEUP" this was fun when I was a child!! Mom would blow her whistle every now and again and we'd rush like mad to see who could pick up the most 'stuff' in five minutes... the winner got a reward, either a few quarters; or later on, a few minutes added to bedtime curfew.
   
   
6. Be sure to show your children by your example how less housework means more treats for them.. whenever the house is spotless announce that you DO After all--have time to make caramel corn or take them to the movies or whatever... Nothing makes a child try harder than a small reward and you will feel soooooo good about it too!

Good luck with your plans... Children learn by doing, and you sound like you are very lucky to have so many 'helpers' in your home!!
Kim L. in Spirit Lake, IA

Organizing Kids: 'Pick-Up Time'

I am a stay at home mom of 6 from 1-14 but they might as well be the ones working out side for the time that they are here, the oldest 4 are all very busy in school and church activities....Plus my husband works rotating shifts so he is not here much of the time to help out either.... The thing that has been the biggest help to us and causes the least amount of friction for us is that each evening before bedtime we have 10-15 minutes that is just for picking up. I set the timer where we can hear it and start in the livingroom...we race through it and then move on to the family room, or kitchen or bathrooms, which ever need the most "help" that night. At the end of the 15 minutes, we hug each other and head for our beds. It has taken some time but they have finally begun to understand that that 15 minutes really equates to at least an hour and a half of my time if I have to do it alone. Then we do the same thing in the morning before they all leave but make it about 10 minutes. This gives them time to make their beds and straighten their rooms.

This way they leave with out me feeling like it is all waiting for me, and slowly they are learning that if they put it away to start with then it isn';t going to catch up with them later. It is also a source of sharing and a lot of laughter some nights which ends the day on a good note for all.
JH

Organizing Kids: Work Your Plan

to the single mom with the cleaner and clutter problems. I was a single mother to and I found two ways that seemed to help with the cleaning and clutter. First, all the kids were assigned jobs everyday to help out. Second, Each person in the house (including myself) had a plastic laundry basket that sat in the hallway whenever something was picked up of that persons it was simply dropped in the basket. Then when that person went to their room they took the basket with them and put the items away and brought the basket back. I also had a laundry basket for each person and after laundry was folded it went in each persons basket and then they simply took their basket to put their clothes away. They would also put their dirty clothes into this baskets so when time to wash clothes all i had to do was grab the baskets. If dirty clothes didn't find their way into the baskets the clothes didn't get washed and pretty soon everyone made sure teir clothes mad it intothe baskets.
Peggy H.

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