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Organizing >
Children
It may
be true that every family is unique, but family living looks pretty much the
same everywhere, from damp towels on tile floors to cereal boxes trailing
their contents across kitchen counters.
When it comes to children the last thing you want to lose is time with them.
Lost because of time spent looking for items or cleaning up the same items
over and over again. Time is something you can't get back once it is gone.
So, here are some tips to start your family on a path to a more organized,
calmer lifestyle.
1. Set the example - You can't expect your children to be organized if
you are not.
if your space is a mess...how fare is it to expect their space to be neat and
tidy.If
they see you calm, able to find your things and the house is orderly when you
leave in the morning then that is sending a message to them. One of calmness.
Children learn from us by
example. not from the do what I say not what I do rule.
You are also setting the expectation.
2. Work with them - Children need help and direction. Put aside time to
organize their rooms and closets so that they have a place to put their
things. If their items have a home they are more likely to put them away.
Also, as children become older teach them the importance of using a calender.
It can be as simple as a large block system on the refrigerator. But having
them see how their time is being used is an important step in time management.
3. Routines
- Keeping your children and your home organized definitely involves having
morning and evening routines. Set aside 15 minutes per day to focus on
picking up & preparing for the next day. For younger children, try
laying out clothes at the beginning of the week using this great
Closet Organizer-For Kids-Organize Clothes by Days.
It will save lots of time arguing over outfits and wondering which clothes on
the floor are dirty or clean.
Involve the kids in simple clean ups by giving them a box of their things to
'return home'. If this is a consistent routine they will resist less each day.
Keeping kids involved with daily and weekly
chores
is also a wonderful way to keep them and your home organized.
4. Assess - After you start organizing with your children reassess as
needed. As stated before their belongings change, their schedules adjust, and
their spaces need to be adapted.
5. Be realistic - Let's face it ...we all want the best for our kids.
That includes letting them participate in sports and other extracurricular
activities that they enjoy. But are you really doing them any favors by
keeping them overly busy running around all the time. There is no
special formula to follow. Just choose carefully and remember to leave time
for them to just relax and be kids.
Lastly, allow your children to be children. Remember they want time with you
and if you lived an organized life that is one thing that is yours to enjoy. I
would much rather spend an extra 15 minutes playing with my children than
looking for my car keys or their missing baseball socks. Wouldn't you?
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Kids closet
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