When you tell your children to clean their room, have you thought of exactly what that meant? Do you want them to vacuum and scrub? Or do you want them to simply tidy up and put things away? Whatever your preference may be, when it comes to your kids you need to be specific!
Since no one knows your child better than you it’s your job to anticipate their response and adjust your requests with specific guidelines to get started. Remember, organization is a learned trait and there’s no better person to teach them than you!

Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of the room? Is this room for sleeping only? Does the room need to accommodate more than one person? Will they use it to do their homework?

• What are the things that bother me about this room? Is there a back-up of dirty dishes? Are there old clothes everywhere that no longer fit? Write a list.

• What exactly do you want your child to do? Do you want them to actually clean? Or do you want them to pick their clothes up off the ground? Or put their dirty clothes in the hamper? Refer to your list of things that bother you and create a list of things you would like your child to do. (See #6)

• Does my child have the necessary items to keep this room organized for homework, clothes, play, etc.? Do they need a desk with more storage? A better shelving system? A hamper? A trashcan? A home for stuffed animals?

• What is your child’s strength and weakness? If your child can’t fold a shirt provide hangers and show her how to use it. If they can’t reach the top shelf to put sweaters away use it to store keepsakes they don’t need to access every day.

• Set goals for your child and celebrate them. Assign small tasks. Monday is for bringing dirty clothes to the laundry room. Tuesday is for matching socks and putting away clean clothes. Wednesday is for cleaning the goldfish bowl and removing trash. Thursday is for removing all items that don’t belong and clearing off their workspace. Friday is for putting shoes away and disposing of unnecessary schoolwork.

• If you are a proponent of giving rewards, put a reward in place. Perhaps they get to stay up 10 minutes later or watch some extra TV.

• Put systems in place. If schoolwork needs to be completed in their room, make sure they have a clear desk to work with. If shoes need to go in closet make sure you provide a shoe rack.

• Keep it simple. Does your child need three pillows, a sheet, a blanket and a comforter? Try replacing them with one pillow and a down comforter. This will make it much easier to make the bed in the morning.

• Encourage your child to donate old clothes and toys they no longer use. Keep a donation bag under their bed and every time they grow out of an item encourage them to put it in the bag. Let them know a week before donation day and encourage them to feed the bag generously.

• Set a good example. Keep your rom tidy. Create efficient, yet easy systems throughout the home for your children to follow. Donate often and demonstrate gracious giving.
Remember, organization is a learned trait. The sooner you can instill these behaviors the better off they (and you) will be!

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Patricia G. Masi is a newly married native Washingtonian and an anti-clutter expert. As owner and president of Pristine Living, Patricia can usually be found creating efficient spaces throughout the DC metropolitan area or writing articles alongside her 6-month-old lab Ryder.  If you would like to connect with Patricia, please visit her website at www.PristineLivingbyPatricia.com or follow her weekly blogs at www.OrganizeDCMDVA.com.