Browse by title articles:

Getting Organized - Tackling the kid's room

by Kara Kelso    

- Sort out unwanted toys. Let them pick out things they don't want any more and where they want those toys to go. It could be family, friends, or a charity. A garage sale is also a good idea, letting the child have the money. You could also go around the neighborhood together and ask if anyone would like it. This is a good way to also meet some of your neighbors.

-While you are sorting, have specific places for things with parts (puzzles, blocks, ect). Use old butter containers, baby wipe containers, coffee cans, and anything else with a lid that would work. If you need something bigger, Tupperware has all kinds of containers to choose from (see "House Hold Products" at Mom's Market - http://www.momsmarketonline.com for a Tupperware consultant).

- If they have tons of school projects and papers, there are several things you can do with these. Make scrapbooks or use them to decorate the toy containers are just two ideas.

- After the room has been organized, now comes the "fun" part.....cleaning. This doesn't have to be a chore. You can make it fun by making a "real" mess first. Get a powder carpet deodorizes and let the child sprinkle it everywhere. You could also use AromaSands for this. Before you vacuum it all up, see how fast you can get the rest of the room scrubed down. Make it a game by having races. Fastest time (and best job) wins.

- To keep the room organized, put labels on everything. This includes closets, shelves, and drawers. If the child can't read yet, make pictures from construction paper.

Just remember to take things one step at a time and try to get the child (or children) involved in everything you do. If you can't get it all done in one day, take several days to do it, setting aside time each day to work until it's done. Also don't think of it as a "job" but as time together!


-----------------
Kara Kelso is the owner of Mom's Market (http://www.momsmarketonline.com), which is an online mall with all mom-run businesses. Mom's with a business can be listed for free by subscribing to Mom's Market Ezine. Kara also owns Natural Home Online (http://w http://www.momsmarketonline.com/