We all know the beginning of January marks a brand new year in which many resolutions are attempted. Some are met with great success and others seem to fail quickly.
For me, this time of year also reflects the sudden urge to clean…like the whole the house. I feel the need to open every drawer, closet door and kitchen cabinet in my home. I get the cleaning bug for some de-cluttering and reorganization. Especially since the holidays have come and gone, our entire basement has been consumed with toys. Not only did Santa swing by with his bundle, I have a very large family and every single one of them bought gifts for my children which they happen to do every year.
Every single year.
You can imagine how quickly the toy shop has engulfed every corner and space in my home. Coincidently, I received an email from author Lea Schneider who inquired about my interest in checking out her book Growing-Up Organized. Not only is she a working mother of 3, she’s a professional organizer so of course I wanted to gain some perspective and add some more tips to my de-cluttering and reorganization mission!
Her book is a hands-on guide where she provides practical application especially for busy moms. She even explains how to get your children involved in the process. There is a plethora of knowledge and advice throughout this book from a time management perspective all the way to understanding why we have clutter in the first place. She also suggests how we can implement change by including worksheets, goal setting tasks, planning materials and other resources in the book to get you started. Her website Organize Right Now is also a great place to begin the organization mission. After reading Chapter 7: Staying Tidy, I was totally inspired to begin my own clean-up mission.
After taking a good look at our basement, I grabbed my 4 year-old son with a plan. We talked about the fact that he has so many toys that he’s out-grown. He’s either too big for them or he just doesn’t play with them any longer. And since they are not a good fit for his baby sister, there really is no need to keep them. As we were discussing this toy drive, my son began to show interest and was ready to take on this clean-up challenge with me. Although he clearly expressed his need for being the person in charge of choosing the toys that would be donated (under my supervision of course), after some real heart-to-heart talking, he got it.
He really got it.
He liked the idea that another child who doesn’t have as many toys as him would have fun playing with them. I saw his eyes light up when he realized he would be doing something good. This quickly became much more than just a simple clean-up effort. My son was actually taking note that he was part of a process that would pass a little joy onto another child and I could tell this made him proud.
And so it began. He started cleaning up his stacks of books and games…
And then he moved toward the buckets and shelves…to three other areas in our basement where he made piles of toys to donate.
When we were finished, we had three full garbage bags of toys ready to get into the hands of other children (and my basement never looked better)!
I can’t believe my madness for keeping a clean and clutter-free home turned into a real teachable moment for my son.
So thank you Lea Schneider, for giving me the motivation to jump-start some organization in my home and involving my 4 year-old in the process. This experience has led to something much bigger, something my son will remember for years to come.
i just haven’t had the cleaning bug, yet! i’ll get it, i always do! lol def. going to check out that web site, thanks for sharing! i still have toys that i haven’t brought back out since christmas….those bins need a serious overhaul!! hopefully i gather up some energy soon to start movin’! i love that your son learn from this. i think mine are too young yet, so i’ll have to clean out on the DL!! ;o)
.-= tina´s last blog ..back to normal =-.
I love a clean basement! We “clean out” our toy room every few months and I encourage my kids to part with things they no longer play with or have outgrown. It feels so good to get them involved. Thanks for the infot and the tip on Lea, her site and her book! I will check it out~
.-= Catherine B´s last blog ..Feel Better in 2010 (Mental Music Monday) =-.
I had chores as a kid and hate them now…
He looks so proud of himseld.
.-= Vodka Logic´s last blog ..An Overdue Awards Ceremony =-.
This is exactly what I’m doing this week! Going through all the toys so that I can donate them! I think most children really enjoy knowing that they are helping another child by giving away some of their unused toys. What a great ‘teaching moment’!
~Shelley
I love hearing this – for a couple of years now I have had my children fill bags for Goodwill … they take great joy in actually bringing them into Goodwill, dropping them off. We also volunteer at a separate place that packs up used toys and clothes for needy kids so they understand where it all goes.
I think it’s great!
(and I share your beginning of year madness for cleaning. I’m throwing out everything in sight right now!)
Yup thats me it seems like since this past weekend taking down Chirstmas stuff just isnt as fun as putting it up !! The putting all the new stuff away trying to make room for new toys ,books, and clothes, ugh always left to us moms ! So today i will spend yet another day doing just that hopefully this is the last day (lol) and your lil guy is so cute
great post !
.-= Connie´s last blog ..Asian Pork with Noodles =-.
He is looking like quite the little helper. Sophie cried but we gave away, with the lesson, 5 bags of toys so far and total stuff from our house…ready…more than 30 bags! We are purging and purging and purging. And Sophia is learning that otehr people can use what we have. That we do not need two of something, so that even if it is new, if we already have one, we give it to someone else. I have been using freecycle for her toys so we know who her stuff goes to. I even let her help choose who we pick to give them to! She really likes that. Some of the baby stuff we gave to the church nursery and she is happy that babies will play with it. I think it helped to show her how she was helping.
Good for you for the cleaning out! I will have some great organizational tips every week this year on my blog and a DIY planner / family notebook so come on by!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..The Boobie Trap =-.
Mommy words- I am so checking that out. You are the ultimate DIY chick and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us! 😉
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
What a wonderful learning/teaching experience for you and your son. Right now, we’re still hoarding our toys *just in case* we have a third…but once that decision has been made, it’s my plan to do the same with my boys.
.-= Kmama´s last blog ..What I Meant to Say: 1/6/10 =-.
We do a total declutter at least 2 a year, I want to do it 4 times with the seasons. The kids all help with that & with organization. I cannot stand total chaos. I can handle lived in, but then it reaches a certain level that is just too much for me.
Oh I also tagged you. http://theconfusedhomemaker.com/2010/01/06/tagging-me-in-seven/
.-= beth aka confusedhomemaker´s last blog ..Tagging Me in Seven =-.
Gosh, Theta Mom, thanks for the thanks! I am so excited to see your little guy involved in the project. He not only learned to think of others but he learned sorting and decision making skills. There are so many things that he learned that would not have happened if you had just done the task when he wasn’t around. Great job!
It is so cool to see how everyone is getting organized. I love it! January is Get Organized Month so I wish everyone Happy Organizing! I keep lots of organizing tips and ideas running on my website but also at my blog at http://www.organizerightnow.wordpress.com.
Thanks tons for your wonderful story!
Wow…I really need to check out her website/book. I’d love to say that I’m a good organizer, but I’m just not even close!
.-= The Mommyologist´s last blog ..My First Winner and What the Heck? Wednesday =-.
I started to organize “the toys” a bit before the Holidays. It made me feel great! I still have more to do. I can’t wait to get to it!
.-= Christine @ Propeller Head Mom´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts: Wax On Wax Off =-.
The new year is a great time to do this, isn’t it? It’s like a fresh start…and thanks so much for your comment Lea!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
What an awesome learning experience and it looks like he had so much fun too! Great post.
Thank you for the inspiration! This time of year I get my organizing bug going and I love the website you mention here! A great resource!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Two Dudes And A Mom – A Very Grateful Mom =-.
Kudos to BOTH of you!!! What a great way to spend an afternoon (and the clean basement/warm fuzzie side effects aren’t bad either)!!
.-= Cecily R´s last blog ..WordFUL Wednesday and 365 Week One =-.
See that is the way to do it. Now, I’m sure he will want to continue that tradition yr after yr. You go THETA mom!!
.-= malia´s last blog ..It’s A Girl!! =-.
that is wonderful! I love it when this happens. BTW, can I have your email b/c I have some questions about wordpress…thank you!
ttownsend@buckeye-express.com
Im vowing to be more organized in the new year as well!
TipJunkie.com has a really cool printable check list and plan for the new year you should check it out.
Ive heard about a lot of people teaching their kids about giving to toy drives and helping kids in need and how into it the kids get. I have my doubts ab my complicated boy going along with it… but I do plan on giving it a shot one day soon. .. it looks like Toys R Us threw up in our house. lol
.-= complicatedmama´s last blog ..Study shows: my hubby & kids make me fat =-.
ust sent you an emial Tiffany, and Complicated Mama, Toys R Us threw up in our house, too!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
How awesome! I can’t get my kids to clean their room. I cleaned out my daughter’s room. I asked her to help. She chose to get rid of every single barbie rather than sit and help!!
.-= Lee the Hot Flash Queen´s last blog ..The Bitch Is Back =-.
Love when something unexpectedly becomes something even better than when you start! Thanks for the great post!
.-= Shanna – My Favorite Everything´s last blog ..wordless wednesday =-.
WOW!! He is actually…well…helping!! Good for you!!
~WM
.-= Working Mommy´s last blog ..Lesson #41 – The Babe Only Gets One Container Of Solid Food A Day =-.
Last week I did the same thing – but I wasn’t smart enough to enlist the help of my twins. What a great lesson for your son!
.-= Flory´s last blog ..A Yoga WOOFer or Downward-Facing Dog =-.
I’m going to check this out – you’ve inspired me! We got rid of tons of toys just before Christmas and I did the same thing in telling my kids that we were giving to kids that aren’t as fortunate as they are. Very cool and a good learning experience. As far as the organization goes though, we still have quite a ways to go. I am definitely going to check out that website – I got really excited when I heard there were lists and worksheets (I’m very type A)! Thanks for sharing!
.-= existentialwaitress´s last blog .. =-.
Heather that is great! I had the same experience with my 5 year old daughter about 3 weeks ago. We actually got rid of all the toys she did not want anymore and that were broken before santa came. The house was just starting to get overtaken by toys that I could not bear santa bringing MORE on top of what we already had.
That book looks great. I am going to check out her website because as much as I want to be organize I just for some reason do not have the skills to stay organized. I will work hard to get everything in its place then after 3 days it is a mess again. But me and hubby are trying so hard to stay on top of things this year and teach our kids good cleaning and organizing habits.
And since comment luv does not luv me for some reason here is my latest post:
http://thismamaworksit.com/2010/01/05/lets-talk-about-it-ladies-the-best-way-to-groom-down-there/
I have had the cleaning bug too, but with 4 dinner parties in 5 days, I still am trying to clean up everything. It is so nice that your son helped you. When my little guy gets a little older, I hope he can too!
.-= Pres. Kathy´s last blog ..Happy New Year!!! =-.
OMG I cleaned the girls room last weekend too. I don’t know what came over me.. I had 3 garbage bags but Chloe had meltdown when she saw the bags that I was trying to hide and throw out… totally chaos… LOL.. but their rooms looks so much better.
Nothing like organization to make you feel good.
.-= Grissell´s last blog ..Ok stick a fork in me and send me to the crazy house, I’m done! The scariest day of my life. =-.
Thanks ladies, it really was an awesome experience!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
Ouch! I just took down all the Christmas stuff and tossed the tree, but literally SHOVED it all into closets, the basement, and the attic! The complete opposite of what you did. I was feeling pretty good about getting it out of our living space, it is much less stressful in here. But now I guess I am gonna have to find some time to organize and declutter it all…
.-= Jean Myles´s last blog ..Xavi’s 1 year check up – No MMR shot =-.
This is such a neat story. I am so glad your son “really got it.” I cant imagine how proud you must have been! Happy donating 😀
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Amy’s Banana Bread =-.
My goal this year is to get organized and get motivation. Thanks for the link , I will really try this one for sure!
.-= Debby´s last blog ..YEAR END SURVEY 2009 =-.
He is SO cute!! What a great lil organizer dude.
.-= MiMi´s last blog ..The Trip in Pictures =-.
I have been doing this de-cluttering for a few weeks now. I feel like I am still no where finished. A few years ago me and my son hit his toy box. I told him lets go through your toys and give what you don’t want to Toy Time. And they will give them to kids who don’t have alot of toys. So his eyes got big and he went to town on that toy box. He said mommy I want to give my toys to the kids who don’t have any. So that has been our tradition every year.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..What I Meant To Say Wednesday =-.
Awesome Heather! It feels great to know THEY know they are doing something good!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
My facebook status this morning asked if I ever get my house clean! We seem to be on the same brain wave. For every room I clean, another is covered in toys, or my underwear if Julius gets into my drawer !! I have a post called post “G-string on the run”, that’s a good laugh!
We been living here for 1.5 years, and I still have boxes in the basement I need to unpack! Ugh!
Not to mention the piles of toys. I have a combination of baby toys and toddler toys, both being boys I cannot get rid of them! I feel your pain. Having your son partipant in the process is an excellent idea .
It set good habits that will last the rest of their lives. His future wife will be thanking you one day!! Job good Mom!
.-= Ottavia “Tammy”´s last blog ..Shhhhhh! =-.
It’s so great when our children learn from any lesson being taught. It goes a very long way.
I declutter at least twice a year because there’s a children’s resale event I participate in during the Spring and Fall. I get rid of stuff and make a little money – it’s win win! After explaining to my kids that their old toys would go to other kids (either through the sale or to charity because you have the option to have your stuff go to charity if it doesn’t sell), they caught on and were happy to help me.
.-= Evonne´s last blog ..What I Meant Was… =-.
I too have a big family (my hubby is the baby of 8 boys) who all give to my kids. It gets crazy! I’m trying to think up a great idea on how to solve this problem.
Anyway, love that you were motivated by the book to get organized! Super cool your son got on board and learned something from it. My house is out-of-control cluttered and somewhere in the piles are a bunch of books on organization. See, I really thought when I purchased them and opened them an organizational fairy would pop out of the pages and do the work for me! But since the fairy was a no-show the clutter free zone is a no-go.
Since you seem to have it all under control why don’t you fix a fellow Jersey Girl up and come help me out? Just a suggestion… ;0)
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Terrific Tuesday =-.
I think I could be a professional organizer. Today on Oprah, they were talking about hoarders. I would love to get my hands on a super messy house like that and purge, purge, purge and organize. Most days I sit around thinking about what I can purge and organize next. Problem is, everything is organized so there isn’t more I can do. Glad you got your little guy involved.
.-= Tara´s last blog ..If I Could Write a Letter to Me =-.
Your son is adorable im trying to get rid of all these paper piles argh!
.-= tami´s last blog ..Red Sky Neighborhood Grill =-.
Your son has such a great heart! I remember trying to weed through my son’s toys at that age and he really had a problem with deciding which ones to give away and which ones to keep. What a great teaching moment! And I’m sure you’re happy to be so organized.
.-= shelly´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Snowmen =-.
To my utter surprise, while my hubby was home for the New Year weekend, he actually got the cleaning bug and worked with our son to clean up his entire room and bagged up toys that he has outgrown and made room for the new Christmas toys. I absolutely loved it!
.-= Patty Reiser´s last blog ..Project 365: Day 6 =-.
I’m on complete OCD overload right now. I was screeching today, damn this house looks like a Toy Story movie…seriously. We are working on our garage first. I have soo soo soo many trash bags piled up. I’m hoping to catch the trash guy tomorrow. I went through the toys prior to Christmas. I’m going room by room…
.-= Angry Julie Monday´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Sunset From My Garage =-.
I have to check out this website. I am an organizing freak. (But I go about it in spurts and stops.) I’m working on the playroom next.
Sounds like a good book, too. I’m trying not to buy books this year (Wonder how long that will last?) but I might check the library.
.-= kys´s last blog ..I Can’t Always Be Like Horton =-.
That really is a great idea and something I’ve talked about doing with the boys. I so need to just do it! Saturday after work and before the birthday party oh yeah it’s going
.-= Alexis AKA MOM´s last blog ..Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ A Birthday Party and Zoo Lights =-.
That is awesome! It is so great that your son totally jumped right on it. It makes a huge difference when the kids get involved.
.-= TooManyHats´s last blog ..2010 Goals =-.
I do the same thing with my oldest about 3 or so times a year! It keeps me from going insane with too many toys. Anything I can hold onto for my 2 year old then I store in totes, otherwise they go to friends, Goodwill or other organizations in need. It gives me peace of mind!
.-= shortmama´s last blog ..Dear Someone, =-.