You have a son? Do you have a bedroom? With a closet?
Are you afraid to go in there?
Relax! Closet organization isn’t just a topic for adults. After all, if he could get her son to keep her closet organized, he could make her…rule the world. Watch? This is good.
Successful closet organization for your child is based on the same ideas you would use in your own closet.
— Everything has its place.
— Everything is accessible.
— Get rid of what you don’t use.
— Use tools and accessories to avoid clutter.
For maximum effectiveness, I suggest organizing your closet with your child working alongside you. While you have the final say in all decisions, a child who contributes will bring cooperation to the process and will no doubt have some vital pieces of information to contribute.
Your son needs to tell you how he likes to use his closet. Lots of hanging clothes? Toys stored in the closet? Do you need more shelves? Small items that need to be sorted?
If your young sweetie doesn’t see the point in this housework, you can try pointing out that an organized closet will save time and energy. But, at the end of the day, he may just have to play the big card.
“Because I said so” is the reason for parental choice and always plays well with “the buck stops here.”
Once that’s settled, here are the quick steps to take during this closet organizing session with your child.
1. Take a good long look.
The first step is to open the cabinet doors wide and see what is really there. Can’t see the back or the floor? Then everything should work out.
Yes, this is the part of the process for the strong and mighty. Arm yourself with courage. Unclaimed food sitting in the back corner of the cupboard will NOT make you and your child feel closer.
2. Get rid of anything that is broken, moldy, expired, or that you no longer use or want.
As always, please recycle usable items to a local charity. Be sure to include your child in this important step of community involvement.
3. Evaluate what’s left.
This is where you both decide what should be hung, folded and filed, placed in bins and baskets, or filed somewhere better.
4. Make a list and shop for the organization accessories you need. Together.
Or use cardboard boxes and customize them (including decoration) to suit your child. This is the fun part!
5. Put everything in its place.
You’re not done with organizing your closet until EVERYTHING has a place. All. Period.
6. Take ten minutes a day to KEEP everything in its place in this newly organized closet.
This is the crucial step. If you don’t enforce this, you’re better off not even starting in the first place. The truth is, this part is called “discipline” and most children are not born with any. But they need it and you can show it to them. You will find that this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.
If necessary (and it probably will be), your child may need help seeing the value in keeping his closet in perfect working order.
— Do you like to socialize with your friends?
They then spend their ten minutes (or thirty seconds if they have the practice) of cleaning time each day.
— Do you enjoy some free time?
Have you done your ten minutes?
— Do you expect other privileges?
Is everything in its place every day?
This is simply a new habit, and like all habits, it takes a bit of time and practice to master. Give your child a chance to feel great about themselves by tackling a closet organizing session with them. It might inspire you to take a look at your own closets!