It’s all too easy for clutter to build up in the home, and that’s especially true if you have kids!
Kids’ toys, games, and art supplies almost seem to magically multiply at times, and before you know it, they can take over your child’s room.
It can take some work to clear out the mess, but the benefits can be well worth the effort!
Here are just a few of the benefits of decluttering, and tips on how to declutter with your kids to create a pleasant and organized space:
Benefits of Decluttering
Less Mess Means Less Stress
Living in a messy environment might not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually been shown to increase stress levels in both adults and children.
An organized room creates a serene environment that promotes emotional well-being, reduces anxiety and encourages creativity.
Even more surprising, a clutter-free space has been shown to improve cognitive development in children!
Some studies have found that an organized environment enhances a child’s ability to process information, leading to improved cognitive skills and better academic performance.
Decluttering Makes Cleaning Easier
Sweeping, mopping, dusting and vacuuming are no easy job when you’re tripping over toys the entire time.
Decluttering gives you less mess to deal with and fewer objects to try to clean around and under. That means when you clean, you will be able to be more efficient and more thorough
This can be especially important if you use a cleaning service, since a less cluttered house will result in less time spent cleaning and more money in your pocket.
The best maid in Boston MA mentions that it’s important to remember cleaning services aren’t organizing services.
Eliminating the clutter in your child’s room ensures that your cleaner can do a proper job in a reasonable amount of time.
Develops Responsibility
Teaching children the importance of keeping their space organized instills a sense of responsibility from a young age.
Involving them in the decluttering process and assigning age-appropriate tasks empowers them to take ownership of their surroundings.
This not only promotes independence, but also helps build a foundation for good organizational habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Decluttering with kids can also help them develop essential decision-making skills.
Letting your children make their own decisions about what to keep, donate, or discard is a great way to get them putting real thought into the value of their possessions and the consequences of their decisions.
How to Declutter With Kids
Depending on how much of a mess you’re dealing with, getting started decluttering can feel overwhelming.
Try these tips to declutter with your kids and get their space clean and organized:
Lead By Example
Kids learn through observation, so the first step in helping them learn to declutter is making sure that you’re modeling the same behavior.
Little things like picking up and putting away dropped items, stacking dirty dishes neatly before washing, and throwing out trash promptly will show kids the benefits of an organized space.
Declutter as a Family
Once you actually decide to tackle that cluttered room, make sure that your kids are participating in the process as well!
Set aside dedicated time for decluttering sessions and involve everyone in the household. Play upbeat music, turn it into a game, or create a reward system to motivate your kids.
By making decluttering a positive experience, you’ll encourage their active participation.
Get Rid of Trash as You Work
When tackling a major decluttering project, make it easier on yourself by having a large trash bag handy.
That way, you can quickly dispose of any items that are old, damaged, broken, or not worth selling or donating.
Being able to quickly clear out the garbage not only makes the job easier, it will give your kids an immediate sense of accomplishment as they see the extra space they’ve gained.
Create Storage
Organization is much easier if you have adequate storage for everything that will be staying in your child’s room.
As you work, sort items into piles based on what currently has a functional storage space, and what still needs a storage container or location.
Then, take a quick look around the room to see where you might be able to add functional storage solutions.
Small baskets on shelves might be a good way to store smaller items, while a large toybox could be an ideal choice for bigger toys.
With a place for everything, keeping everything in its place will be a much simpler job for your little ones.
Set a Routine
Once you’ve created an organized space for your kids, the most important step is to create a routine to stop clutter from building up again.
There’s no need to get too complicated, especially if your children are younger.
Start by setting aside a specific time each day for your kids to pick up and put away anything they’ve taken out in their room.
Adding a once-weekly time to do some more thorough cleaning and organizing can be helpful as well.
Kids thrive on routine, so you may be amazed by how quickly they get into the habit of daily decluttering. Just make sure to stick to that new routine initially!
While teaching your kids how to declutter their space and stay organized can take some work initially, it will get easier and easier as time goes by.
Start small, give them plenty of praise, and make sure you’re setting a good example by keeping the rest of your home clean and organized.
With time and effort, your entire household will be able to enjoy the peace and serenity of a clutter-free environment.