I firmly believe in the power of feng shui and how items are placed and oriented in a room work towards controlling the energy in that room. If you have too much stuff, I believe your aura gets cluttered, and the energy flow in that room gets stifled. As adults, we mostly understand this. Even if we don’t always practice clutter control. I believe that teaching this critical “adulting” skill to children is a vital part of helping them to become future, healthy adults. Here are 5 tips that I use and hope will help you to teach your own kids how to declutter like bosses!
The Use It, Love It, Play With it Rule
When working with my children to declutter their spaces I always ask them to think about when was the last time they used an item or played with it? This helps them to understand which toys and items in their room(s) are of most value to them. Have they played or used it recently? When was the last time they actually did use it? What items do they like to play with the most and why? All of these questions are good ones that help them to understand which items are the most useful and bring them the most happiness. Sometimes this might even mean allowing them to get rid of items that might have sentimental value for me as a parent. If they don’t love that stuffed animal their dad won for them at the County Fair, then I need to let them pass it on to someone else who might get more joy from it.
A Place For Everything
In our home we have a place for everything rule. This means that items need to be stored up and off of the floor or nicely placed on countertops and in shelves. If there isn’t a place for something, then we need to find a place for it. That means quite often replacing items that don’t make us happy or that we don’t use with items that we do use and enjoy. If there is a place for everything, then it is also easy to clean up toys and belongings since each item has it’s own designated place.
One In One Out
After holidays and birthdays practicing this decluttering skill with your children is a really great idea! Help your child understand that there is limited space in your home. Give them a box or container to fill with old toys and items which they no longer use. Remind them as you do this that they just received so many great new gifts that made them happy and there are other children who have less than them. Giving or donating these items to others will help to make the happiness go around!
Have A Bin For Outgrown Clothes
I have a small bin for my kids’ to regularly place their items into that no longer fit them, are worn, or that they no longer like. This helps both them and myself to easily clean out unnecessary clothing, and it also helps children to take inventory of what items they need replenished or restocked. In a family of six having a plan like this is vital, and helps me avoid the rush of needing to buy pants the night before a cold snap is coming through! It also allows children to understand that by clearing out the old items they no longer use, it can make way for new items they need and love.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude can shape a whole conversation or an entire day. Help your children to understand that time and resources have gone into what they have and own. This means sometimes saying no when children want something new, “just because.” Gratitude helps children to be more grateful for what they have and sometimes, to maybe even teach them how to work towards achieving something they really want. When kids learn to appreciate what they have it helps to put “things” into perspective for them and to place healthy boundaries on understanding what brings them the most happiness.
I hope these tips have helped you think of some ways to help your children learn how to declutter.
Best wishes for a happy 2020!
Love,
Jen
Comments
We do so many of these already, including going through older toys and stuff after birthdays and holidays here. So, I couldn’t agree more about that advice. Plus, I pinned to refer back to now, as well. So, thanks!! :)
Janine Huldie recently posted…Silk® Almondmilk Ibotta Offer for the New Year
They really work, right?! Happy 2020 and thanks for pinning :)
Jen recently posted…Five Tips For Teaching Kids To Declutter
Isn’t it interesting that the less toys kids have, it’s almost like the more the play? Des had a bursting toys problem and he wouldn’t play with anything. He was too overwhelmed. We did a major decluttering with his help and he’s bee so much happier. Us too!
I love the part about gratitude.
That is great! Too many things really do distract us. There is a reason our grandparents taught us the “less is more” philosophy.
Jen recently posted…Five Tips For Teaching Kids To Declutter
All very good tips! I personally like the One In, One Out rule even if it’s not exact. If you just got lots of fun, new things for a holiday or birthday, then you can definitely donate some older items that someone else would really love to have!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Currently (January 2020): Happy New Year!
It works for adults too right?! That is at least what I am hoping to be teaching my children to do going forward in their life.
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #197
One in, one out! Amen!
Katy recently posted…Ok Gen X: Thinking about the 70s and 80s
It really does work!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #197
Your ideas to tame clutter are easy to follow. I will be sharing this with my kids. I feel overwhelmed when my home is cluttered and disorganized, so getting everyone on board with decluttering will make my life better.
Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Kippi
It does mess with your head, and so taming clutter is always a priority around here. Good luck!
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #197
The One In One Out rule is so important! That’s a rule I wish I would have grasped long ago. Setting that sort of “boundary” makes it much easier to maintain what we have.
Thanks for the tips, and thanks for linking up at our Encouraging Hearts & Home blog hop!