Decluttering With Kids in Lockdown

We all know decluttering is 100% easier when the kids are elsewhere but sometimes it's just not possible. Here are some tips on how to overcome this.

We all know decluttering is 1000000% easier when the kids are elsewhere. I regularly advise my Community to remove distractions when undertaking decluttering projects, but at present, with many of the world's schools, childcare centres and workplaces closed, that's simply not possible.

Here we are spending more time than ever in our homes and with our kids.

We're spending all this time in our homes that many of us haven't nurtured much over the past few years. Homes that serve us every single day, yet we have repaid by procrastinating on home organisation tasks and home maintenance that's needed.

Most people are vying for more space in their home right now, but costly renovations aren't possible. So the next best thing is to declutter.

To declutter in lockdown, you will need to allocate a space to put the items you are decluttering until it's safe to donate or sell them. A few cartons from the grocery delivery, a cupboard under the stairs, a garage or a garden shed… where will you keep your decluttered items until you can remove them from your home?

And the kids! They love to help, but the help isn't always the most, er, helpful, is it? (Let's be honest here!). It would be great if the kids could visit a friend for a few hours while you get organised at home, but that simply isn't safe right now.

So we're decluttering in lockdown WITH the kids. Some might call you crazy for attempting this, but you'll likely end up even more crazy if you don't create some extra space in your home. Whether the kids need more space to play or you need to create some space to work, it won't get done unless YOU take action as no Professional Organisers I know are doing house calls at present.

Here is my advice on how to declutter your home with kids and still get results.

You need to set your expectations at a realistic level. Your kids need to succeed at decluttering, so they create a positive feeling toward tidy spaces, and also, YOU need to succeed at this, so your brain knows decluttering is safe, worthwhile and fun. Make sure you only plan to do an hour or two with the kids. More demanding home organisation activities such as the kitchen, garage or home office can be saved for when you're decluttering alone.

Choose an area to declutter FIRST that benefits the kids. Some examples are the toys so they have more space to play, clothes so it's easier to get things out of their draws, or one side of the living room so they can build a fort there. The benefit to the child doesn't have to be permanent, but it does have to be immediately available to them as soon as the decluttering task is finished.

Explain the plan to your children in a way that resonates to THEM, so they know why this is for FOR THEM. For example "Since we're all going to be home for the next few weeks let's make your room a more fun place to be. We can change some things around so you have more space to play with your special things."

It helps your kids to value the activity when you empower them. Make it worth their time to be part of this. Let them make some decisions, but when you do, you need to follow through with it, so be careful selecting what you give them control of. Try saying "you decide about this, and I'll decide about the next thing".

There are some things you may need to dispose of sneakily. Have a bag or box nearby that they can't see into, so you can quickly move items out of sight without them noticing.

Make your own life easier and more productive by setting up systems the kids can use independently. Label drawers and containers so the kids can find what they want without tipping other things out and so they can tidy up properly. Use pictures if your kids are too young to read. Labels don't need to be elaborate. You can use a permanent marker to write on the side of plastic or cardboard boxes, and you could use sticky-tape to hold labels on drawers or shelves.

Be sure to celebrate with your kids when you finish. Make that fort or play with them in the newly decluttered space. Playing is such an important part of life, yet as adults, we turn our backs on it far too quickly.

One of the best things about decluttering during lockdown is that the items won't be leaving your home straight away so you can err on the side of decluttering a little too much. Then if the kids ask for a particular item you have snuck into the 'donate' carton without them knowing, it can always make a miraculous return after they are in bed.

For those who know my work well, you will notice that much of my advice for decluttering during isolation and decluttering with children is quite different from my usual home organisation tips and advice. This is because we are living differently at the moment. The world is a different place, and we are using our homes in different ways. I sincerely hope lockdowns throughout the world won't last too long but also encourage you to get organised, get systems and routines in place, and make your home a lovely place to be because it could go on for many months yet.

Set your home up to nurture your and your family, by showing it a bit of love today.

Categories: Home Organisation, Home Organization, Decluttering, Parenting