How to Declutter with Kids Without Losing Your Mind

If you have kids, you know how quickly they can accumulate stuff—toys, books, papers, clothes, crafts, you name it. And if you’re anything like me, you also know how hard it is to declutter with them. They seem to have an emotional attachment to every item they own and resist any attempt to get rid of something they don’t use or need.

I used to dread decluttering with my kid. It was a nightmare. He would fight back like his stuff was his life, crying, screaming, begging, and bargaining. Chaos reigned supreme.

But then I realized that decluttering with a kid doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be a learning opportunity, a bonding experience, and a way to create a more peaceful and organized home. Here are some strategies that helped me declutter with my kid without losing my mind.

Set a Good Example

The first step to decluttering with kids is to declutter yourself. Kids are very observant, and they will follow your lead. If you keep buying more things and don’t want to get rid of some of your stuff, your kids won’t want to, either. Show them that you value quality over quantity, appreciate the space and freedom that comes with less stuff, and are willing to let go of things that don’t serve you. Before you tackle your kids’ stuff, tackle your own. Go through your closet, kitchen, office, garage, and any other area that needs decluttering. Keep only what you love, use, and need. Donate, sell, or recycle the rest. Talk to your kids about why you are doing it, explaining the benefits of decluttering, such as having more room to play, less stress, less cleaning, and more happiness.

Suppose you need guidance on decluttering your home. You might want to check out this book: Decluttering Advice for your Home: Practical Ideas and 101 Tips. It offers practical and easy-to-follow advice on decluttering your home with your kids. It covers topics such as motivating your kids, dealing with sentimental items, organizing different rooms, and maintaining a clutter-free home. It also includes 101 tips and tricks that you can use to make decluttering fun and effective.

Involve Them in the Process

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first tried to declutter with my kid was to do it without him. I thought it would be easier and faster to go through his stuff when he was not around and get rid of what I thought he didn’t need. Boy, was I wrong? Not only did I keep things he wanted, but I also violated his trust and autonomy. He felt betrayed, angry, and resentful, not understanding why I took away his things without his consent. He felt like he had no control over his own belongings.

That’s why I learned to involve him in the process. Instead of decluttering for him, I decluttered with him. I asked him to join me in sorting through his stuff and deciding what to keep and what to let go. I respected his opinions and choices, even if I disagreed with him. I gave him the final say on what to do with his stuff as long as it was reasonable and realistic. I also praised his efforts and cooperation and thanked him for his help.

Involving him in the process made decluttering easier and more fun and taught him valuable skills and lessons. I taught him how to organize, make decisions, prioritize, be generous, and live with less. I also showed him that I trusted him, valued his input, and cared about his feelings.

Make it a Game.

Creating a game is another way to make decluttering with kids more enjoyable and less stressful. Kids love games and respond well to challenges, rewards, and competition. Here are some of the games that I played with my kid to make decluttering more fun:

The 10-minute challenge: Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how many things you can declutter in that time. You can do this by category, such as clothes, books, or toys, or by area, such as the closet, the shelf, or the drawer. Whoever declutters the most things wins a prize, such as a sticker, a candy, or a hug.The donation box: Get a large box labelled “donation.” Explain to your kids that you will fill it with things you don’t need or want anymore and give it to someone who does. Encourage them to find things they are willing to donate, and praise them for their generosity. You can also make it a competition and see who can fill the box the fastest or the most.The keep, toss, or maybe game: Get three bins or bags and label them “keep,” “toss,” and “maybe.” Go through your kids’ stuff and ask them to put each item in one of the bins. The keep bin is for things they love, use, and need. The toss bin is for broken, damaged, or expired things. The maybe bin is for things they are unsure about or have mixed feelings about. Once you are done, go through the perhaps bin and help them decide what to do with those items. You can also set a limit for the maybe bin, such as 10 items, and ask them to choose only their favourites.

You might use handy storage bags like House of Quirk 6 Pcs Set Travel Storage Bags to make these games fun and easy. These are multipurpose storage bags that you can utilize to store and organize your clothes, shoes, toiletries, accessories, and other items. They are waterproof and durable and have different sizes and colours. You can use them to pack your luggage, sort your closet, or store seasonal items. They are also great for teaching your kids how to pack and unpack their own stuff.

Focus on the Positive

One of the reasons why kids resist decluttering is because they focus on the negative—concentrating on what they are losing, not on what they are gaining. They focus on the fear of regret, not the joy of freedom. They focus on scarcity, not on abundance.

That’s why focusing on the positive when decluttering with kids is essential. Instead of emphasizing what they are giving up, emphasize what they keep. Instead of pointing out what they are missing, point out what they are gaining. Instead of dwelling on the past, dwell on the present and the future.

For example, you can say things like:

“Look how much space you have now! You can play and move around more easily.”“Wow, you have such a nice collection of books! You can read them anytime you want.”“You are so lucky to have these toys! They make you happy and creative.”“You are doing a great job! You are making your room more beautiful and organized.”“You are so generous! You are making someone else very happy with your donation.”“You are so smart! You are making good decisions and learning new skills.”

By focusing on the positive, you can help your kids see decluttering as a rewarding and empowering experience, not as a painful and scary one.

Celebrate and Reward

The last step to decluttering with kids is to celebrate and reward. Decluttering is hard work, and it deserves recognition and appreciation. After decluttering, celebrate and reward your kids for their efforts and achievements. You can do this in many ways, such as:

Giving them a high-five, a hug, or a kiss.Telling them how proud you are of them.Take a picture of their decluttered space and share it with others.Allowing them to pick an enjoyable activity to share.Buying them a small treat or gift.Taking them to a particular place or event.

One of the gifts you can give your kids to celebrate their decluttering success is this: Kurtzy 3 Tier Rolling Cart Organizer. This rolling cart can store and move your items around your home. It has three tiers of spacious baskets that can hold your books, toys, crafts, kitchenware, and more. It also has four wheels that make it easy to manoeuvre and a handle that makes it easy to push or pull. You can use it to declutter your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or other space. You can also use it to involve your kids in decluttering by letting them choose what to put in the cart and where to place it.

I hope this blog post helps you declutter with your kids without losing your mind. Decluttering with kids is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It takes time, patience, and practice. But it’s worth it. You will not only create a more spacious and peaceful home, but you will also create a more robust and happier bond with your kids. Happy decluttering!

For additional support and personalized mental wellness services, contact EducateAble at namita@educateable.in or consult with Topmate. Stay informed about upcoming sessions and workshops by subscribing to our website.

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