Clutter-Free with Kids – it’s Possible!

Living Clutter-Free with Kids Seems Difficult. Here are some Really Clever Ideas That Will Definitely Help

Even if you’re good at living clutter-free (and most of us aren’t), once kids arrive the clutter problems seem to multiply.

But it IS possible to live clutter-free with kids, if you tackle it in a way that makes sense to them.

The trick is to make kids WANT to be clutter-free.

I’ve got 5 ways you can do that – but first, why do we want to get rid of all that clutter?

Problems with clutter

First, you need to be clear about why you want to live clutter-free.

For example:

• Clutter creates yet more work for already-tired parents, picking up and tidying piles of stuff.
• Interestingly though, it also creates more work for kids. Even if you do most of the work, the more “stuff” they have, the more chores they have to do.
• We want to give enjoyment to our children so we buy them stuff. But when attention is spread out over many books, toys, tools, friendships and games, they don’t get the full pleasure from any one individual item.
• When kids have a lot of stuff, they don’t appreciate it as much and it tends to be not cared for as well. It may end up broken in a pile.
• And of course, it’s not “green” to use resources to make products which are then discarded.
• The more clutter that surrounds you, the less easy it is to live a green lifestyle.

What Does a Clutter-Free House Mean?

It does NOT mean it’s a museum!

Simplifying and de-cluttering is NOT something where you lose.

Actually, it’s empowering. It doesn’t hinder creativity, it makes room for it!

• For you – a clear, open space means less work and is more relaxing.
• For your kids – that un-cluttered room means more space for them to play!

After a while, kids will see the value in making space for what they love.

You’ll find you spend more time doing the things you love, and less time managing extra “stuff.”

Here are some tips to get your kids enthusiastic about a clutter-free life.

1. Get One, Lose One (The Rule of One)

Things have a habit of arriving, don’t they? Someone drops in with a cool new toy for your son. Great!

Now, while he’s still enthusiastic about the new toy, find an older toy that he can donate, recycle or discard.

By keeping the number of items the same, not increasing, in your home, you keep a lid on clutter.

If you buy a new book or pair of jeans, donate or sell an old one (at least one). Don’t allow things to “gain”. Always keep the number the same or decreasing.

2. Give It a Home

If something doesn’t have a “home”, a place where it lives, it will lurk around, abandoned. It will be clutter.

Over time, everything in your house should have a home. Remind the children often – repetition is often required here.  It might help to label or put a picture on drawers for example, so it’s easy to see exactly what goes where.

3. The 10-minute Challenge to be Clutter-Free with Kids

Getting rid of clutter with kids can seem overwhelming.

So, announce a “10 Minute De-Clutter” and get the whole family involved. Everyone must go through the house and return everything to its correct home, just for 10 minutes. Then stop.

4. Add Some Competition

Get the kids to tidy or clean a specific area within a time limit – and spend quality time with them afterwards as a reward if they beat the clock (completed the task ahead of time).

5. Make it a Game

Play a game such as Noughts & Crosses or Tic Tac Toe with your children – but before each turn, they must put away 2 items. Continue until the room is tidy again, and see who wins!

They Work!

These deceptively simple suggestions can go a long way towards getting kids to see the benefits of a clutter-free lifestyle.

Yes, it IS possible to live clutter-free with kids!

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P.S. If you’d like to read more about a clutter-free life I recommend an excellent book. “The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life” is available on Kindle / Audio / Hardback / Paperback.

Leo Babauta is a wonderful author who writes about Zen living.