organising
As a mum to four-year-old twin boys and a seven-year-old daughter, I truly understand what it means to live in a home that’ s loud, full and bursting with that crazy-beautiful chaos. There are days when it feels like the toys are staging a takeover, the craft supplies are multiplying on their own and I can’ t remember the last time I saw the actual surface of the dining table. Sound familiar?
The new year is a natural time for a reset, but why wait? Start now. Time to open the windows, shake off the winter cobwebs, and maybe, just maybe, reclaim a bit of calm among the chaos. And no, we’ re not talking about turning your home into a minimalist showroom. This is real-life decluttering for real-life families which needs to be practical, forgiving and even a little bit fun.
Here’ s how to tackle the jumble without losing your mind and learning how to fall in love with the process, too. 5
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Start with the quick wins Decluttering doesn’ t have to be an all-or-nothing, weekend-consuming event. Start with small, manageable areas. Think one drawer, one shelf or just the kitchen table. A five-minute blitz while the kettle’ s boiling can be surprisingly satisfying.
Top tip: Keep a drop box somewhere accessible. That way, whenever you come across a‘ lost’ item it can be temporarily placed in the drop box, which can be emptied out once a week. Broken bits and items not missed can be tossed and others can be placed back in their forever homes. This way countertops are kept clear.
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The art of the toy rotation
Let’ s be honest: kids don’ t play with everything they own at once. In fact, half the time they’ re playing with the same three things( and ignoring the rest). Enter: the toy rotation.
Pack away half their toys and rotate them every few weeks. Not only does this cut the clutter in half, but the reappearance of“ new” toys can also feel like Christmas morning. Magic.
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Contain the chaos( literally)
Storage is your secret weapon. Baskets, boxes and clear containers are your best friends, especially ones the kids can use themselves.
Label everything( with pictures for younger children) and make tidy-up time part of the daily routine. You’ re not just cleaning up – you’ re training future flatmates and creating independence too. Children love contributing to household chores, it gives them the opportunity to help in the upkeep of the home, thereby making them feel important too.
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Get sentimental without keeping everything
We all love our children’ s artwork. But by the 14th glitter unicorn of the week, you might be running out of fridge space and patience.
Try this instead:
• Create a“ Keep” folder or memory box: Only the truly special bits go in here.
• Snap a photo of the rest: You can even turn them into a digital photo book at the end of the year.
• Display a rotating gallery: Use a string and pegs or a cork board to showcase a few pieces at a time, then swap them out regularly.
Spring-clean the hidden hoards
Now is the perfect excuse to peek into those forgotten corners – under the beds, back of the cupboards, the car boot... Anywhere toys and odd socks go to hide.
Involve the kids and make it a game. Give them a timer and challenge them to find five things they no longer use or love.
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Create kid zones( and grown-up ones too) Having designated spaces for toys, books and art supplies helps set expectations and boundaries. This also allows for easier clean-up and maintaining of systems. When items have a forever home, everyone knows where to find them.
If you can, keep kid’ s stuff contained to a few zones and carve out a grown-uponly area( even if it’ s just one tidy corner of the lounge). Everyone needs a space to breathe.
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Keep it real
Decluttering with kids isn’ t about perfection. It’ s about making space for what matters: play, connection and the occasional cup of coffee in peace. Some days will still be messy and that’ s fine. Life with little ones is gloriously, chaotically full. � www. babysandbeyond. co. za
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