Kids tend to acquire a lot of stuff. Before you know it, the house can become overrun with toys and other clutter. This can create an unhealthy environment. In some cases, too much stuff can become a hazard. It is possible to stay organized, even with kids around. Some of these tips are as simple as placing all shoes by the front door in a basket or having a daily 20-minute decluttering session. One of the biggest keys to having an organized, tidy home is to get the kids involved so that they can feel a sense of accomplishment and want to continue to maintain their home environment.

Use the Same Process Every Time

Even young kids are really good at figuring out a pattern and following it over and over again. Establish a thought process that goes into everything your child does during the day. Encourage them to think about what needs to be done, whether that is making the bed or putting laundry in drawers. The next step is to get all the tools they need to accomplish the task, like finding a laundry basket and bringing the clothes to the room. The last piece is to make sure you finish what you started. If you remind them to plan, prepare and finish each task, they will begin to follow that pattern on their own.

Everything in its Place

Help your kids establish good habits with the items they use daily. Every time your children come into the house, make sure they take off their shoes and put them in a special place in the foyer. Hats and coats can be hung on hooks or racks that are short enough for the kids to reach comfortably. It helps if you remember to put your things away in their special places every time you use them, too. Kids love to mimic their parents, so if you want them to do something regularly you should show them how it’s done.

Color Coded Bins

Make storage, trash and recycling fun by using brightly colored bins and cans. Putting away clothes or toys can become a game if specific items go in specific colored bins. Ask your child if something is trash or if it should be recycled, then let them tell you which can it should go in. Find fun ways to make picking up clutter seem less like a chore and more like something that is part of the play.

Ask Kids for Ideas

Always talk to your children about the goal for your project, whether it is picking up toys or bringing groceries in from the car. Ask them how they would do it and why. If they stop and think about what they’re doing, they might come up with a new way to get the job done that would make them feel they are a part of the process. When the kids feel like their suggestions are important and the project is something they are a part of, they will be more likely to cooperate. They might even start to notice that a room needs to be picked up before you mention it.

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