Kids’ rooms can be quite messy. And it’s a challenge for many parents on how to teach their kids to be more tidy and not be seen as the bad guy.
But it shouldn’t be all that difficult. Ashley Barber, a certified KonMari consultant and founder of Simply Maven shares 5 tips with Click2Houston’s Houston Life which give some good ideas.
The key is keep things balanced. You can’t just say to the kids to all of a sudden put everything in the boxes and cupboards. Instead, find a balance.
For example, allow the kids to keep some stuff in the open, but within some limits. For example, nothing on the floor and just a couple of items on the desk/bed and so on. Depending on the size of your home, you could set a play area which keeping toys in the open is allowed, but not anywhere else.
Another nifty tip is to make it a story and a part of a bigger game. For example, you can set up a “home” for the toys where they can go to “relax” after playtime. That home is of course the cupboard and other storage. Some of the stuffed animals for example might want to get some sleep in their quiet space.
This is also a great way to involve the kids in tidying up. They can learn to be more organized and even caring as they will want their toy-friends to feel good and be relaxed and happy.
Barber also says it’s very important to be a role model. So, if you want your kids to be tidy, you should also be such. Make sure all of your stuff is also well organized. This way you will also learn a thing or two and be an example for your kids.
Also, be patient. Each child will react differently to these ideas, but that doesn’t mean that you should get angry or punish them. Just find a common ground that you know they will like and slowly ease them into the idea of keeping things tidy and seeing the benefits of that.
