Recruit Your Kids For Spring ORGANIZING And Make it Fun!
May 1, 2010
Download PDF version: The Navigator - May 2010 (32)
They helped to disorganize it. Give your kids the gift of organizing by having them help you get the spring cleaning done. Train them early and often. You’ll appreciate it in the long run and maybe so will they.
Recruit Your Kids For Spring ORGANIZING And Make it Fun!
By Sylvia DaoustSpring is a time of renewal, and for many of us, a time for cleaning and organizing our homes. The melting of winter into spring is a great time to bring order to your abode after the inevitable chaos the hibernation season brings. But spring cleaning can be a daunting task, particularly if you tackle it alone. Simplify and speed your organizing day by enlisting your family to help. Don’t think your kids will participate? Make it a fun event and you’ll have volunteers you will enjoy spending the day with.
Like many organizing activities the key to success is to plan ahead. Pick a date you can dedicate the whole day to both the work and fun. Make certain you have the supplies you need, including handy snacks and drinks. Work in teams of 2 or 3 and then switch halfway through the day. Don’t forget to choose some up-tempo music to keep the energy levels up, and make certain each member of the family enjoys listening to their favorite CD during the day.
Most kids have four basic possessions -clothing, toys, books and school related papers. These items are forever changing and accumulating. The change of season is a great opportunity to sort through the excess taking up valuable space in your home. To keep your kids interest in check during your spring organizing day, give one or two of the following ideas a try.
Let’s begin with making room in the closets. Tell the kids you’re having a fashion show and let them try on all of their clothes (no, not all at once!). What doesn’t fit gets handed down to a sibling or packed into a box for donation. Sort what does fit into outfits and stack in drawers. Have your child make a list of new clothing needs for the next shopping excursion.
Create a treasure hunt for younger children by hiding chocolate coins or an appropriate incentive among their toys. Send your child to find the treasures while collecting any toy found on their search. When their basket is full, have them pile the toys in the centre of the family room. Afterwards, sort the mess into “keep” and “part” piles, and find permanent homes for the toys that are staying. Separate the remaining toys into separate bins for garbage, donations and garage sale items. Take the time to deliver these bins to their destination. The last thing you want is for these items to clutter up your garage, or find their way back into the house!
Next, locate all books and spread them on the floor -parents too. Donate as many books as possible to a local daycare or charity. Toss ripped and damaged books. For the keepers, make certain there is adequate storage in your home, without creating unwanted clutter.
Kids collect a tremendous amount of school memorabilia throughout the school year. Keep arts and crafts and miscellaneous papers from school in one large under bed storage bin or bankers box. Near the end of June have your child sort through the bin, keeping only 25% of the pile. Put a few special items out on display, either in frames or on a peg board. Store the rest in a pocket folder decorated by your child. Help them create a wonderful keepsake by including favorite moments, friends, teachers and photographs.
Finally, at the end of a productive day, reward your team with dinner out at a favorite restaurant. Allow them to choose the sweetest dessert they can find on the menu. They deserve it! If you are too exhausted to leave the house, order in pizza and enjoy a good movie. Tell your kids how much you enjoyed spending time with them, and congratulate your family on “Spring Success”.
