When organizing your children, the task can seem impossible at times.
Your idea of organizing may not be your child's idea of organizing.
Instead of climbing the walls while tripping over stuff on the floor,
use the vast surface of wall space to help your children keep their toys
and clothing organized.
Kids like to throw their things. Hang a basketball hoop over their
hamper or over a laundry basket to collect worn clothing. There are ready-made
hanging hampers that work the same way.
Hang self-enclosed shelving, meaning shelves that are either boxed
in or have ends to them so books and other items won't fall off and you do
not have to use bookends.
Use over the door shoe bags as an easy way to keep beanbag toys,
craft items, toy cars, hat, gloves, yo-yos, etc. neat, organized and easily
retrievable.
For infants, they can be used for baby care items, such as lotions,
shampoos, wipes, etc. Use wall mounted file holders as a drop off point for
school papers that need your attention. These can be purchased at any office
supply store.
Cover an entire wall with corkboard so your child's artwork has
a home. Be sure to rotate and purge the artwork frequently since you know
how quickly it can pile up.
Install plenty of oversized, rounded hooks at your child's level
of reach so they can easily hang up their clothes, baseball caps, jackets,
backpacks, etc. Use the hooks to hang those utility tubs with the rope handles
where they can store small toys and other loose items, even socks.
Have your child label the hooks and buckets using pictures of what
goes in or on the space. A great way to label a container for small parts
to a common toy (e.g. a castle and all of its accessory parts) is to cut
out a picture of the toy from either the box it came in or out of a toy catalog.
Then attach it to the container or bucket.
Also, when choosing containers for your children's items, look for
items that have attached lids or no lids. Lids can be clutter in and of
themselves since they are rarely used unless they are attached. If you do
use lids, be cautious of the locking lids since they'll pinch your child's
fingers if they're not careful.
There are plenty of products designed for wall space organizing
of jewelry, sports equipment, toys, clothing, etc. Remember, don't climb
the walls.use them!
About the Author: Danielle Carrigan is a professional organizer,
the owner of T.A.S.C.S.-Time and Space Consulting Services in New Jersey,
and a ringmaster of the Professional Organizers Web Ring. She is also the
editor of the online newsletter PaperClipsÓ which features helpful
information on all aspects of organizing. The August issue focus is "Organizing
Your Children." Write
ringmasters@organizerswebring.com. |
