While we are organizing ourselves, we are setting an example for improved life skills for our children. Organization skills are beneficial for everyone including children. However, they are not usually born with the skill for organization and the results of kids and clutter is frustration for all. This week, we are going to begin taking the steps to help our children become more organized and reduce the stress in their lives as well as your own. The desired outcomes are an improved relationship with your child and more effective skill building for you both. Let’s begin with the clothing.

My observation is that many children have too much clothing. At the rate of growth for children, the investment in too many items of clothing is most often wasted as children don’t wear much of what they have or they outgrow items too soon to wear them much at all. We are going to streamline your child’s wardrobe following the same concept of the Rainbow Closet last month. First, begin to organize your child’s clothing by color and hang them all in the same direction. In this initial step, I like to turn the clothes facing the back area closet so that when clothes are worn, laundered and returned to the closet, they can be faced towards the front of the closet as a way of identifying that they have been tried on and worn recently. You may want to include your child in this process as children have a strong voice in what they choose to wear. As you sort through the items of clothing, remove any that are too small or in ragged condition. Encourage your child to wear a different item each day in the same manner that you did when systematically cleaning out your closet. As an item is worn, launder, iron and return to the closet. This item then is placed at the back of the closet until all items have been “cycled” through the process. You will begin to discover that many of the items in your child’s closet are simply not worn and are only adding to the clutter and taking up space. These items can be sold on consignment if they are in good condition. If you don’t want to sell them, then they can be given to another child or donated. This process will result in your child’s closet being filled with clothing that they will wear, that are in good condition and fit appropriately. Replace worn clothing with new items as your child grows or the items become too ragged to wear. My advice is to not over purchase clothing for children as if they don’t wear it, it won’t prove to be a good investment of money.

Remember to include items such as athletic wear, shoes, coats, jackets, hats and gloves as well.

Encourage your child to take care of their clothing. If the closet is not stuffed, it will be easier for your child to begin to hang their own clothing up and organize their own items. They can also coordinate items to expand their wardrobe and utilize all the accessories in the same manner that you did. It is always thrilling to see young people become wise consumers and great stewards of their own resources. These are life skills that will enhance the lives of your children as well as your own.