Create boundaries. It’s unlikely
that your child will be as tidy as your
Martha Stewart ambitions might
be. For many parents, designating a
separate space for their kid’s things is a
great way to keep harmony with their
Tasmanian devils. Your child’s space
will seldom be spotless. But it is their
space. And as long as they understand
that there are boundaries, that their
things, their toys, their crayons, and
their artwork, belong in the toy room
or their room, you can claim the rest of
your house in orderly fashion. Having
their own domain will also help create
a sense of ownership.
Inspire through reading. Books
are a great way to initiate new
perspectives. Kondo’s new book is
certainly a great place to start. Kiki
& Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of
Friendship, is a simple read with a
powerful message: too much clutter
can get in the way of important things
in life like friendship. But there are
plenty of other books out there to
inspire kids to clean, like Let’s Clean
Up! By Jenna Laffin, or the more
tongue-in-cheek Too Many Toys by
David Shannon.
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