What kind of example are you setting for your children? What habits will they grow up with as they silently watch your organizational behaviours? If you don’t put your possessions away, why should they?

• Have your children by part of the organizing process – when de-cluttering, have children pick out their favourite toys and choose one or two from what’s left to give to a needy friend or charity.
• Use low shelving for toys and books – create separate areas for toys, books, library books, school notices.
• Use clear plastic containers with hinged lids, for storing toys – use colour for toddlers and have kids make their own labels – make organizing fun!
• Use a small filing box or plastic drawers in the closet for art, awards, cards, reports.
• Use hanging shelves for storage for clothes they can reach themselves – use closet and shoe organizers and make use of vertical space.
• Store keepsakes and seldom-used items high in the closet in labelled containers or clear plastic (this works well for rotating toys, too!).
• Place a laundry hamper inside your child’s room – install a basketball hoop over it.
• Install low-hanging hooks for the clothes that will be worm again.
• Use under the bed storage for toys or clothes.
• A ‘clothes line’ hung vertically or horizontally is ideal for artwork or photos.
• Increase floor space – remove the closet doors and use a spring shower rod to hang a bright curtain – open it to enlarge the play area!
• Use a timer and small rewards (stickers or a new container!) to motivate kids to tidy and/or organize.