Why Decluttering Can Be The Best Thing For Your Family.

Decluttering is an activity that involves removing unnecessary items from your living space. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can actually have a positive impact on your family's well-being. Here’s why:

1. Decluttering can reduce stress levels. When there's too much stuff in your home, it can be overwhelming and make it difficult to relax. Removing excess items can create a more peaceful environment that allows your family to unwind and spend quality time together.

2. Decluttering can improve productivity. A cluttered space can make it hard to find what you need and can even lead to procrastination. By getting rid of items you no longer need, you can create a more organized and efficient living space that allows your family to focus and be more productive.

3. Decluttering can save you money. When you have a lot of stuff, it's easy to lose track of what you have and end up buying duplicates or items you don't actually need. By decluttering, you can become more aware of what you already have and avoid unnecessary purchases, which can help you save money in the long run.

Overall, decluttering is a great way to improve your family's well-being. It can reduce stress, increase productivity, and save you money. So why not give it a try? Let me know how it goes in the comments!

Why I Ruthlessly Declutter My Kid’s Things.

As I was purging half the Valentine’s Day goodie bag junk today while my kids were out of the house, I was reminded of a conversation I recently had with a group of moms. They asked me how I deal with the constant influx of toys and stuff that comes with having young kids. My response: I’m ruthless. I regularly toss toys and artwork. Sometimes daily, but at least every 2-4 weeks. I don’t feel bad about it either. Do I want my kids to grown up constantly overstimulated by stuff everywhere? Or do I want them to feel relaxed at home, use their imagination, and learn to let go of things periodically? The latter, obviously, but that doesn’t mean I feel bad if I throw out or donate stuff they *might* remember or later want. Usually, they never notice or mention it. My oldest occasionally asks for something that’s been edited out. My response? It varies, but here are some examples: 

“We can’t keep everything we find or are given; we would be overflowing one day”

“You seemed like you no longer played with it, so I donated it to kids that don’t have very many toys.”

“You have SO many toys and you seem too old for that toy, so I gave it to your cousin. You can play with it next time you visit him.”

“I took a picture (usually with art) because we can’t save everything we make. Do you want to see it?”

“The dog chewed it, so I threw it out.” 

I see my ruthless decluttering as beneficial in two ways:

1. I am teaching my boys lifelong skills so they don’t become emotionally attached to allll their stuff and end up drowning it in. Being able to purge and keep your belongings minimal directly relates to your stress levels as an adult. 

2. I am keeping myself and everyone in my home happier and less stressed by having less. Too many things is overstimulating for everyone, especially moms. We are all happier if we have an easy to maintain home.

Need help editing and creating systems? Reach out for a free consultation anytime!

My Best Tips for Editing Your Pantry

A cluttered pantry can make meal preparation stressful and frustrating. It can also lead to food waste, which means $ waste. If you're tired of digging through piles of food to find what you need, it's time to declutter your pantry. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Remove everything from your pantry: The first step to decluttering your pantry is to take everything out. This will give you a clear view of what you have and make it easier to organize.

2. Check expiration dates: As you go through each item, check the expiration date. Throw away anything that is expired or close to expiring.

3. Sort items into categories: Sort the remaining items into categories such as baking supplies, canned goods, snacks, etc. This will make it easier to find what you need.

4. Use storage containers: Invest in storage containers to keep your pantry organized. Clear containers make it easy to see what's inside, and they can help keep food fresh.

5. Put items back in an organized manner: Once you have sorted everything into categories and put them in storage containers, put them back in your pantry in an organized manner. Put the items you use most frequently at eye level and the items you use less often on higher or lower shelves.

Decluttering your pantry may take some time, but it's worth it. You'll be able to find what you need quickly and easily, and meal preparation will be a breeze.

In order to best maintain your new system, be sure to shop your pantry or do inventory before heading to the store so you don’t end up with duplicates.

Why It is Important to Declutter Regularly

Decluttering is an activity that involves removing unnecessary items from your living space. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can actually have a positive impact on your family's well-being. Here are a few reasons why decluttering is the best thing for your family.

Firstly, decluttering can reduce stress levels. When there's too much stuff in your home, it can be overwhelming and make it difficult to relax. Removing excess items can create a more peaceful environment that allows your family to unwind and spend quality time together.

Secondly, decluttering can improve productivity. A cluttered space can make it hard to find what you need and can even lead to procrastination. By getting rid of items you no longer need, you can create a more organized and efficient living space that allows your family to focus and be more productive.

Lastly, decluttering can save you money. When you have a lot of stuff, it's easy to lose track of what you have and end up buying duplicates or items you don't actually need. By decluttering, you can become more aware of what you already have and avoid unnecessary purchases, which can help you save money in the long run.

Overall, decluttering is a great way to improve your family's well-being. It can reduce stress, increase productivity, and save you money. So why not give it a try? Your family will thank you for it!

Toy Rotation

It’s the day after Christmas, and as I sit in the aftermath of alllll the new toys, I am reminded of why I am such an advocate for toy rotation. My children received an obscene amount of gifts yesterday: Duplo sets, Lego sets, race car tracks, trucks, audio players, board games, etc. Yet they are whining constantly about wanting ANOTHER toy opened or taken down from their grandpa’s toy closet. When they get what they asked for, they play with it for less than 10 minutes and are on to the next. Part of this is the overstimulation of traveling for the holidays, but they are whinier than usual and there’s less independent play than normal (my dreams of reading on the couch all weekend while they play have quickly gone out the window). Everyone (including me), is less happy, despite the belief that new toys should make everyone happier. This is all because too many toys is too overwhelming, overstimulating, and just plain distracting. With more choice, multiple reputable studies (including this one from the University of Toledo in Ohio), prove that kids will actually play LESS. For info on why, check out this article.

So what to do about it in order to garner happier kids that will play independently longer? Limit their choice with toy rotation. 

The most popular way to set up a toy rotation is to put the majority of toys into bins in a closet. Organize them by category (labels help), and only offer a small selection of toys at a time. Rotate this selection every 2-3 weeks. The selection that’s available can be presented on a low shelf (for babies), or in whatever cabinets or bins/shelves you use in your kid’s rooms or playrooms. Keep it to less than 12 toys/activities. The selection should also be varied. For example, a young toddler might have a puzzle, a stacking toy, a few trucks or cars, and set of magnatiles, some play kitchen food, and a few animal figurines. 

If your child ignores a toy or activity for weeks even though it’s one of only 10 available toys, it’s probably time to donate that toy (or put it away for a while if it’s maybe not age appropriate yet). 

If you have kids old enough to ask for toys that are out of rotation, I suggest storing them in a closet out of sight and reach (don’t use clear bins). It’s okay to make exceptions for toys that are used frequently for open-ended play, such as Legos or Magna Tiles. I keep both of those out for my kids most of the time, as they use them to creatively play with other toys that are out, such as building a garage for a car, or a barn for some farm animals.

Another way to manage this: own less toys;)

Holiday Overwhelm: EditingToys & Decor

This month, I’m talking all things that can be overwhelming for families this season (and mostly moms). The back to school craziness has settled into a routine, but now you are swept into making the holidays magical and possibly traveling and balancing so many family and friends obligations. What may have been your favorite time of year pre-kids, is possibly your most stressed time of year (or is that just me?).

The holidays tend to bring SO MUCH STUFF into our lives. Whether it’s just the bins and bins of holiday decor, or all the little gifts for and from family and friends. If you have young kids, you are soon to be inundated with too many toys than you can keep track of. It’s overwhelming, to say the least.

Here are my top tips to control the chaos (as best you can):

1. Declutter holiday decor AS YOU DECORATE, not when you pack it all away. Thrift stores can sell your unwanted holiday decor NOW, not in January. So, if when you decorate, stuff is left behind (and probably has been for years), let go of it now. You will be too tired to do so in January anyways. Someone else will be happy to display that 30-year-old Santa your grandmother gave you that you hate, but continue to hold onto, taking up precious storage space.

2. Notice if you get overstimulated by too much decoration. It can be visual clutter for us in our own homes, so don’t feel bad if you feel you need simplified holiday decor. You are not ruining your kid’s experience by pairing down. It’s probably overstimulating for them, too.

3. Say no to events or things that will add to the stress. Do one or two things less this season than you planned. If Elf on the Shelf causes too much stress for you, skip that tradition or simplify it. While I enjoyed the creatively of Elf on the Shelf, I’ve realized its just ONE MORE THING TO DO when I am too busy already. We are also not going to race to every holiday lights themed event in the county. Your kids want happy, present parents more than they want a tradition that causes you stress.

4. Declutter old toys NOW, not after the holidays. Your kids will find it easier to let go of toys they don’t use if they know they are “making room for new toys from Santa”. See my recent instagram posts for more on these tips @theorganizedmommyco.

5. As you shop for gifts for your kids, look for open-ended toys that will last a long time and keep your kids’ engaged in independent play.

Check back after the holidays for a newsletter on everything toy rotation - one of my favorite systems to set up for families.

Tips & Tricks for an Organized Playroom

Decluttering toys and playrooms can be a daunting task, but with a little planning and organization, it can be a breeze. Here is a checklist to help you get started:

1. Set aside a specific time to declutter: Choose a time when you have a few solid hours to dedicate to decluttering. Make sure to schedule it so that you're not rushed or interrupted.

2. Get organized: Gather bins, baskets or bags to sort toys into three categories: keep, donate and trash. Label each container so you can easily tell them apart.

3. Start with a clean slate: Empty the entire room of all toys, games and playthings. This will give you a fresh start and help you see what you're working with.

4. Sort through each toy: Take each toy and ask yourself whether it is still being played with or if it has been outgrown. If it's broken, missing pieces or no longer age-appropriate, put it in the donate or trash pile.

5. Assess your storage space: Decide where and how you'll store the toys you're keeping. Consider using shelves, baskets, or clear plastic containers to keep everything organized and easily accessible.

6. Put everything back in its place: Once you've sorted through everything, put the keep toys back in the room in an organized fashion. Make sure everything has a designated place so that it can be easily found and put away.

7. Make a plan to maintain the space: Now that your playroom is decluttered and organized, make a plan to keep it that way. Sometimes labels can help with this. If your kids don’t read yet, try photos of the toy category instead. Encourage your kids to put toys away after playing with them, and schedule regular decluttering sessions to keep things from getting out of control.

By following these simple steps, you can create a clutter-free playroom that will be a joy for your kids to play in.