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By Karen Morgan

Organization

Kids & Clutter

TOYS

This is the best time of year to clear out old toys because they are busy with their shiny new holiday gifts. So, when they aren’t looking, get rid of the old ones that they don’t play with anymore or have outgrown.

Make 3 piles:

Give Away -- Toys that your kids have outgrown but would be enjoyed by another child. give these to friends, relatives or charitable organizations.

Throw Away -- Toys that are broken and cannot be repaired. Why are these still in your house? Get rid of them.

Keep & Store -- Toys you want to keep. For these toys, you should create a system for keeping what you have. Are they sentimental items that could be stored in the attic? Or are they items the kids still play with but need to be organized…

STUFF HOLDERS

Baskets -- Large baskets or bins are nice to have in each of the rooms where your children play. They can be moved around, and your kids can put their own toys away when they move from one room to the next. Shallow wicker baskets are good for small cars, Legos, action figures, etc.

Boxes -- Clear plastic boxes with snap-on lids allow you to see what's inside. They also make great space savers since most are stackable. If your child produces a lot of artwork, she probably has tons of crayons, markers and other art supplies. Keep it all in a portable box, light enough for your child to be able to transport it from one room into the next.

Bins -- Open-front stackable bins keep toys off the floor yet let kids retrieve playthings without assistance. Bags -- In the bathroom, a laundry lingerie bag or a corner organizer with holes that allow water to drain out will keep those rubber ducks and sailboats from taking over the tub.

ARTWORK

Unless you have empty warehouse space at your disposal, you cannot keep the thousands of pieces of the artwork that your child brings home from school. But you feel guilty about throwing it in the trash.

Try this: Create an “In” box in which to deposit the Picassos when the darling comes home from school. Go through the box a regular basis. Keep the treasures and recycle or toss the rest. Keep only the special pieces like handprint paintings and Mother’s/Father’s Day cards or pieces that your child spent a lot of time on. Older children can assist in the purging process, but you have to purge when the younger ones are not around.

Make a portfolio out of poster board to store the keepers or have them framed or laminated to preserve them. You can also scan or take digital photos of artwork to keep a record of the memory even if the paper is thrown away or sent to Grandma.

OTHER PAPER

Homework, notices, flyers, phone lists and schedules will drown you in a sea of paper. The key to keeping paper under control is to immediately discard what you don’t need. So put appointments on the big family calendar and toss/recycle the piece of paper it came in on. Create a system for the keepers, such as standing file folders or a family bulletin board.

BIG KIDS, BIG CLUTTER

Jackets, book bags, and sports equipment get bigger and create more clutter as your kids grow. Although you may be thrilled that Waldo made the lacrosse team and Phoebe is playing field hockey, their sticks are just more clutter to deal with. How do you deal with “big kid” clutter?

Hooks & Cubbies – If you can, create a cubby system for jackets, book bags and equipment. Or get some hooks and hang them as high as you can. But remember that big kid stuff is heavier, so you may need to brace the hooks on wall studs.

Seasonal Storage – Keep out the gear and clothing that your kids are currently using and store the rest. Oversized, clear storage bins are great. Make categories such as "Snow Skiing,” "Beach Toys," or “Hockey” and keep bins for the current season in the garage or mudroom so the kids can access them easily. Once the season is over, bring the bin to the basement or attic. Get your big kids to help you (see below).

I AM NOT YOUR MAID

If your kids can walk, they can pitch to help keep the clutter clear. Let them know that you need their help to keep the house neat. Rules will vary depending on the house and age of the children. Here are some rules to consider:

Toys must not block doorways;
clean clothes that are tried on and rejected must be put back in a drawer and not the dirty-clothes hamper;
clean up one mess before starting the next one;
outside toys do not come in & inside toys do not go out;
everything must be picked up and put away before bed every night.

In order for your kids to want to clean, it should seem as little like work as possible. For little kids, make it a game. For older kids, money and privileges are always excellent incentives.

Erma Bombeck said, “Housework can kill you if done right.” Phyllis Diller said, “Cleaning the house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” They are both right. So take heed the words of these wise and funny ladies. Go play with your kids… the clutter will be there in the morning.

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