How To Get Your Kids To Organize

Does this scenario sound familiar? It is 7:30pm and it is time for the kids to go to bed. You ask them to pick up their toys, but they refuse. You wait until you do your weekly cleaning (maybe you struggle to do it weekly…) and you ask them to clean their room, but you know full well that it is a disaster and it will take them until next year to finish it.

Do any of these scenarios describe your household?

I know this is something that many families struggle with – how to teach your kids to organize! Even though your situation may seem helpless, I can assure that you CAN teach your kids organization!

How to Organize With Kids:

First Things First…
Starts with the PARENTS. I am going to be frank, yet real. When it comes down to organizing with your kids, it starts with you. It starts with not allowing them to have SO MUCH. Often when birthdays, Christmases, and even a sporadic trips to the store roll around we give into the culture that says “the more we have, the better off we are.” This is a lie. Parents, don’t allow so much in – shut your door on unwelcomed toys and clutter. Only allow in what you have space for and what reflects your values. Kids cannot and do not learn these lessons when they come out of the womb. They are learned skills that they will hopefully learn from their parents. Be willing to say NO. Say no to that toy your child wants in the aisle. Set boundaries in gift giving. Do whatever it takes to put boundary walls in your home with what you let and don’t let in!

Now To Help Your Kids…
1. Organize WITH your kids. Sounds like a simple concept, but if kids are not taught how to keep something clean, how to put away toys, or how to organize, they won’t learn. When your kids are younger, help them clean their rooms and pick up, so that when they are older, they know exactly what “clean your room” means.

2. Every night, add “picking up” as part of their routine. It may seem like your nightly routine is long enough! Well, in order to establish some order, ask your children to HELP YOU pick up. Give them a goal by saying “if you pick up this area, you will be done.” This gives them a concrete end line, so to speak. Then praise them when they are done. Make a checklist of the things they need to accomplish each night so that they can get into a routine.

3. Teach your children about space. When your kids are picking up, make sure you have an appropriate bin or area where they are to put their toys. Teaching them to put it in the right bin will help them categorize later in life – your hope is that when they are married, that they don’t have canned food sitting in the bathroom cupboards!

4. By teaching them about space, you can teach them about “enough.” If a bin is overflowing, teach your kids about getting rid of and giving away items. If something is overflowing, teach them that everything has to fit in it, or they can’t keep it. This also teaches them to keep what is important to them. They don’t need to have it all!

5. Every week or month (depending on how much you have), encourage your children to get rid of something. Maybe find a charity to bring it to. Or maybe they have a friend who would appreciate the item. Teaching your children to GIVE instead of GET all the time, is a life lesson that never gets old.

These ideas are just ideas. You know your individual children the best. Each child is different, so each child may react differently to each of these ideas. Handle each situation with care and patience! All this hard work in parenting will hopefully pay off someday as you see your children establish their homes and have kids!

What is your go-to solution to help your kids get organized?