Those with children will understand that the amount of mess that they make is not proportional to their size. A few simple organising tips can bring order to the chaos.
Children attract mess and clutter like a magnet attracts iron filings. To avoid living in a constant state of disarray, think ahead and make it easier for children to tidy up after themselves.
A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place
Allocate certain areas for children’s toys and craft materials. Make it easy for children to keep these areas tidy by providing containers that they can easily pack their toys into when they are finished with them.
Try to place items as close as possible to where they will be used. If the storage area is convenient, then children are more likely to put items away.
Organising Craft Materials
If space allows, set aside a shelf in a linen cupboard or other storage cupboard for craft materials such as paper, scissors, crayons and markers, glue and other miscellaneous things. Use clear plastic containers to keep similar items together. Empty shoeboxes also work well for this.
Organising Toys
Group similar toys into large plastic storage boxes. Soft toys, baby dolls and their clothing and accessories, Lego, train sets and so on can each have their own container. Make a rule that a box has to be repacked and put away before a new box can be unpacked.
Label Everything
It is easy for children and other adults to put things away if they can clearly see where they belong. Use computer labels and either print out or clearly write the contents of each box on each label.
Task for the Week
Sort through the toy box and clear out any old, broken or unused toys. Keep toys with a special significance, throw out anything that is no longer working and donate any toys in good condition that are no longer needed to a local charity, play group or women’s refuge.
