17th

Where is the best way to start to declutter a house with four kids under 14?

Posted by How To Get Organized, in how to declutter

I’ve been married almost 15 years and moved here almost 10 years ago, we have four kids ( 14,11,9&7). They are all in school and I babysit for a preschooler who is here most of the week. Where, when and what would be your advice on the best place to start really decluttering and starting a routine for my house and I, help!


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7 Responses to “Where is the best way to start to declutter a house with four kids under 14?”

  1. cross-stitcher
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Make a chore chart and put a price on what you feel that the job is
    worth. Then tell your children that if they want to get an allowance,
    they need to pick and do a chore and sign their names to it afterwards
    in order to be paid for the chore.

  2. xaviersmommy
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    one room at a time!!! i just did my house .. yahoo has a group called freecycle you could look in for your local area and you could give away things to people that you dont need anymore but don’t want to throw out. i find it a great way to declutter. organize one entire room than move to the next. save basments, garages, and attics to last.. lol

  3. eleny x
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    well all i have to say is TARGET TARGET TARGET they have great bins and shelving that i used to help me organize. if you can why dont you have organize days one will be for clothing another for activities including arts and crafts toys , video games and have it all organized in storage containers with draws with easy access… another place thats a heaven for organization is the container store but they do tend to be a bit pricy but they almost about everything hope ive been helpful

  4. dymond
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    I started with the cupboards,got rid of what I didn’t use or bagged it up for a later trip to good will.Next was the toy boxes,then the closets.Last was the drawers.Once everything was bagged and hauled away the kids only got one new toy a month and they had to trade one of the old ones for it.If I bought new dishes or linens the old ones went out the door.Keeping 2 of everything for everyone.Towels, sets of sheets,blankets etc.Nick knacks were kept only if they had sentimental value,a child made it or it was a cherished gift from a loved one.Everyone has their own laundry basket and is expected to use it.Clothes were a struggle, no one wanted to part with their favorites and every thing was a favorite.If it wasn’t worn in 1 year out it went.Each of us had 2 coats,one heavy, one light.It took almost 6 months to get my house to the point I could put something away and actually have room to do so.It feels so nice now that I stick to the plan (even if it took 1/2 a year to get there).It’s been organized for 18 months.I really hope to keep it that way.Those plastic storage containers were a life saver for winter clothes and seasonal items ,Holiday decorations and such.

  5. Brett D
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    — read tom sawyer and the part where the one kid tricked the others kid into painting the fence—- make a game of it and start training the oldest perhaps to help you fold the laundry and do the laundry.. key word is to help you do it. if you tell the kid to do it the kid will rebell. now the younger kids will want to be like the older kids and help. and if you let them one or two days later they will have lost interest– make it a mother daughter thing with you and your older kid. when the younger kids ask to help and say you want to help say that would be nice ( but you are TOO YOUNG. you have to grow up a bit. If you want a cleaner house you have to train your children. if you snap the whip and beat them you might get a cleaner house but at what loss and what cost in other areas of your family life. instead if you want to train your kids you have to use diplomacy and ingeniuity. Sly spy makes you rich rude crude puts you in jail. just my advise but I would make it your family time with your oldest where you can do these chores together and talk together. I would not give her the mop and pail and disappear. If you can get the mother daughter private time thing going you might be able to slyly give guidance and suggestions and who knows not have to go through the , MOM I think one of us might be pregnant. thing

  6. betty s/nikoly
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    as one poster said use freecycle.org.u can get rid of anything u don’t want of value,not trash.on the other hand u can pick up articles you’d like to have.no trade or buy, this is to create better environment by not filling up landfills. also(freestuff.com is great too)

  7. Sdpfjfoif F
    March 17th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    one room at a time get the kids to help and ifthey help take them to out for icecrem or for a bite to eat to thnk them for the help

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