1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing a parent should do before decorating a kid's room?
Get rid of the clutter! Because we are such a materialistic, marketing, socializing-driven society, kids are bombarded and often overwhelmed with "stuff" ? much of which they don't even like and will never use.
2. What is the biggest organizational challenge with children's rooms?
Finding ways to make it easy for kids to maintain organization ? this means getting them involved in the process and using tools like baskets without lids, hooks instead of tools racks, etc.
3. Why is organization so important in a kid's bedroom?
Studies show that children who live in an organized environment (especially those who have learning disabilities, ADD, etc.) function better.
4. Are your organizational tips different for different age groups? If so, could you offer a few?
0-5:
At this age, you can teach children organization without them even knowing it. For example, using color coded containers to sort toys.
6-10:
This is a great age to begin teaching paper management. Purchase a desktop holder for hanging files ? create a folder for special interests such as "Soccer", "Cartoons," "Haircut Ideas" "Gift Ideas" etc.
11-16:
The older they are, the tougher it gets ? because they begin to want to assert their independence! The answer lies in "What will they do?" When my son turned 16, I finally closed the bedroom door, and said, "If it doesn't crawl out or smell, I won't complain! I'm tired of teaching, bribing, nagging, etc."
One of my clients hired me to organize her 15-year-old's room. It was a gorgeous room, but not at all to the daughter's liking. We took out the clothes bar, and filled the closet with colorful stacked baskets. When we were done, she invited her basketball team to come and see!
5. What are the must-have items in every kid's bedroom?
Specific places for specific items of clothing (e.g., this drawer is for sox or this box is for memorabilia), An easy place to put dirty clothes.
6. Can children be taught to be organized, and if so, how does a parent make this happen?
One of the best ways is to be a good role model. Often when parents says to a child, "Clean up your room!" the child doesn't have to look far to see other people's messes ? some of which have been around for a long time!
However, as the mother of five, who are now grown and living responsible lives, I learned that although I taught them how to be organized, it didn't mean I would see the results until AFTER they moved out of the house!
We use a 5-Step Process to help our clients organize all aspects of their personal and professional lives ? this process applies to organizing a kid's bedroom as well:
1. Design your vision
2. Eliminate your excuses
3. Commit your time
4. Select your tools
5. Maintain your success.
Notice that the common word in all of the steps is "your" ? organizing is an art!
? Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.productiveenvironment.com
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareYou really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
Home organization means being able to find your stuff when... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |