Conquer Kids’ Clutter, One iPod at a Time

A Post from the Past:  The following is a favorite post from my previous blog,

Kid’s clutter can drive even the most docile of Moms crazy!  And these days, kids have SO MUCH MORE STUFF than I EVER remember having as a child (now MY mom may not agree, but I know those of you with young kids will back me up on this one!!).

Since it is not very likely that the amount of stuff will drastically diminish anytime soon (at least not with plenty of screaming and kicking.  And the kids will surely complain, too!!) the only alternative is to find a way to deal with it.  One great way I have found to keep the kid’s random stuff from taking over every square inch of living space is to establish a “Lost-and-Found” basket.

In the evening, as the kids head up stairs for the night, I ask them to “sweep” the first level of the house for stuff they have left behind (the library book on the kitchen counter, an iPod left on the couch, school supplies strewn across the kitchen table. I could go on and on, but if you have kids, you know the drill!).

This “sweep” gives them one last chance to be responsible for both their belongings and the neatness of our common areas.  However, if the sweep is not complete, and things are left behind, Mom does a sweep of her own!

All of the miscellaneous and misplaced items I find go directly to the “Lost and Found” basket, discreetly housed on the center shelf of a Family Room end table.  The basket is not TOO large, resulting in a bottomless pit of “stuff,” but big enough to prove useful.  Every Sunday night I remind the girls that I will be going through the Lost-and-Found basket that evening, and all of the unclaimed items will meet with their demise:   either tossed, donated, or (for more expensive items like the iPod) kept in MY POSSESSION for one additional week.  (How do you think I learned the words to all the songs on the latest Ashley Tisdale album AND the High School Musical 2 Soundtrack?!)

This system has been SO helpful.  First, I no longer nag the kids about the clutter; I simply place it in the basket.  Second, the kids know to look in the basket if they cannot find a particular item.  Or, if they do ask me where their things are, all that is needed is a simple, “Check the lost-and-found!"

Kid clutter is reduced, which in turn reduces my stress, which ultimately INCREASES the household peace.
Try it! There’s no better way to clear the kid’s stuff AND get the chance to check out your kids’ gameboy or mp3 player for a while!  Good luck!

Simply yours,

Debbie

Comments

[Ginny]

That is a good idea. I like this because it hasn't that harsh. I hate when I hear stories of kids losing item for forgetting one time. This at least gives the kids time to remember to clean up their belongings. Great idea, will have to try it out.

[Debbie Jordan Kravitz]

It does place kids accountable for their clutter. There are clear expectations and a specific consequence. And any system that requires Mom to nag less is great for the entire household!

[Christina W.]

Wow - that's a simply brilliant idea. Mine are just a bit too small for that to work just yet, but it just might be the thing for dealing with DH's clutter!

[Holly]

Wow! Great idea Debbie! I think I'll have to try it. I'm always battling with the girls to pick up their stuff! And, looking ahead, knowing I'll have to baby proof in a few months, this may help!! Thanks :)

[Debbie Jordan Kravitz]

This WOULD be great for a household with older, as well as very young ones, by placing the lost and found basket at a height that the baby can't reach. And keeping a toddler's toys in containers/bins when they aren't in use might get the youngest ones into the habit of this lost and found basket routinef for when THEY get older.

[Suzanne]

Great ideas, thanks. I especially like how it reduces the nagging because you are not correcting about each individual item. I agree with another comment...this would definitely be useful between my husband and myself (we are opposites when it comes to mess control).

[AnneMarieZ]

fantastic idea!! thanks!