Guest Blogger #364, Entry #947, February 8, 2012

Most parents will find themselves walking into their kids’ rooms and wondering just how it is possible that they got so messy. Between clothing, toys, schoolwork, and god-only-knows what else your kids collect in a day, you might not be able to see the carpet or the bedding beneath the sheer quantity of clutter that your kids amass. But if you continue to clean their rooms for them, they’ll never learn the skills they need to do it themselves, and that could lead to big problems in their teenage years (when they no longer allow you to control their personal space) and of course, into adulthood. So if you want to give your kids the tools they’ll need to organize their space now and in the future, here are just a few tips to help you help them.

Set a good example to help your children get organized

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Set a good example with organization

First and foremost, you need to have good organizational skills yourself. So if you’re a bit lax when it comes to cleaning the house, it’s time to get on the ball so that you can at least lead by example. This is not to say that you have to turn into some mythical Donna Reed-type housekeeper. Most of us simply don’t have time to vacuum and dust on a daily basis (although we can and should clean up dishes and wipe down work surfaces like counters and tables each day since they get messy pretty quickly otherwise). But think about setting yourself up with a weekly schedule that helps you to stay on top of cleaning tasks. You can even start assigning household chores to kids at a young age as a way to get them familiar with the concept of keeping living spaces clean and tidy. Small kids may need a lot of help, but over time they’ll be able to manage the tasks to your satisfaction without any assistance or supervision.

Organization tips: Place for everything, room to expand

The first order of business when it comes to organization is to ensure that 1) there is a place for everything, and 2) there is room to expand. This means providing for plenty of storage options, including cupboards, bins, and shelving both in the closet and around the room. If you use modular storage furniture and include more than you need at the moment, you’ll have plenty of room to expand down the line. Without these amenities it will be very difficult for your children to get organized, so it is essential that you start with the proper foundation for cleanliness and organization.

Help your kids help themselves

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Kids cleaning schedule

Next you’ll want to get your kids used to picking up daily and cleaning on a regular schedule. They can actually begin doing this (or helping you to do it) when they’re toddlers, and starting them early is a great way to make the lesson stick. You may want to implement some kind of reward system, such as allowance, to encourage kids and let them know that hard work leads to rewards. And then you may want to pitch in from time to time in order to affect a deep cleaning and thorough reorganizing of the space, as well as see if they need a refresher course or additional storage.

You don’t have to get a masters in education online to teach your children the organizational skills that they’ll use throughout their lives; all you need is to learn these skills yourself and then pass them on in a constructive way. And like anything else when it comes to kids, you must be firm and consistent with such duties if you expect the lesson to become a habit.

For more kids organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.