Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We're moving into a new home in a month and we have resolved to get organized. We've been renting for years and since we haven't felt where we lived was permanent, things have not found permanent "homes," as DH would put it. DH is naturally more organized and anti-clutter than I am, but I am turning over a new leaf because our house right now just looks overwhelmed by toys, books of all kinds, crayons, the kids' art work that I refuse to throw out, etc.
We're moving into a slightly smaller space so organization is a must. Are bins the answer? I am just so tired of picking up random toys, little action figures, wheels that have come off cars, and other things from the living room. My boys are good at cleaning up but I don't want people to walk into our home and think it's been overrun by my 5- and 2-year olds. Do I just need to buck up and throw out stuff even though it's nostalgic? Should I get a large bin for toys or individual bins for certain toys? I want to put something in each boy's room so they get used to putting their toys away (and also take responsibility for their toys instead of leaving them in the kitchen or DH's office). I don't want "toy spread" throughout the house!
Sorry if this sounds basic but I've never been naturally organized but I am determined not to keep a cluttered house (or a backyard since I can see toys migrating out there too)... Thanks for any ideas!
Her website is kind of hokey, but I like the encouragement and her approach to keeping on top of things. There's a calendar app that I have on my phone called Cozi, and it helps keep me organized.
We have had one of these for years, and still use it. It has moved from the living room/play room to the basement, to the bedroom. It could even be used in a hallway.
I see my link didn't work. I'll try to fix it. OK, the one below if from Target. The one above is the same thing from Home Depot in different colors.
Thanks, I have used Cozi in the past. I guess I'm trying to find ideas how to keep KIDS organized and how to encourage them to take responsibility for their toys. It's one thing for me to have the cutest wicker baskets I can find from Pier 1 but what works for a child? I want to find something for my kids where they store their books, toys, and other little things they play with. I tried a large toy bin but that became a huge mess since they'd throw everything out of the bin to get to the toy that was of course, at the very bottom!
What you want doesn't exist. There's no magic organizing system that will inspire children to be responsible. It's all about rewards and consequences. There is no easier way.
What you want doesn't exist. There's no magic organizing system that will inspire children to be responsible. It's all about rewards and consequences. There is no easier way.
I think you're right. No storage bins will make your kids clean up after themselves. But at least things would have a place. I like a bin for each kind of toy (like the one I posted above) because theoretically, only one bin needs to be emptied at a time. IRL, though, they'll all be dumped out.
I think you're right. No storage bins will make your kids clean up after themselves. But at least things would have a place. I like a bin for each kind of toy (like the one I posted above) because theoretically, only one bin needs to be emptied at a time. IRL, though, they'll all be dumped out.
But I agree - the one bin for each type of toy makes for easier cleanup ("find all the Lego pieces and put them HERE; all Thomas the Tank engine trains go THERE") as well as finding things in the future. Bins don't really help much if you just have 4 big plastic bins filled with all kinds of stuff. By segregating by toy type, it give the kids a foundation for organizing stuff later (including schoolwork)....
But I agree - the one bin for each type of toy makes for easier cleanup ("find all the Lego pieces and put them HERE; all Thomas the Tank engine trains go THERE") as well as finding things in the future. Bins don't really help much if you just have 4 big plastic bins filled with all kinds of stuff. By segregating by toy type, it give the kids a foundation for organizing stuff later (including schoolwork)....
Exactly! At 6 and 8 I still have to give instructions like that. Otherwise, they shove everything off to the sides, and think being able to see the carpet in the middle=a clean room.
You're right Hopes - there's no magic bin but I do need to get the toys off the floor. My older boy is especially focused on where things should go - it's just his personality - and bins and drawers appeal to him greatly.
But I agree - the one bin for each type of toy makes for easier cleanup ("find all the Lego pieces and put them HERE; all Thomas the Tank engine trains go THERE") as well as finding things in the future. Bins don't really help much if you just have 4 big plastic bins filled with all kinds of stuff. By segregating by toy type, it give the kids a foundation for organizing stuff later (including schoolwork)....
Another great idea, Macie's mom - that's also part of the problem - is that a random bin just becomes a mess. Separating by toy type will cause less frustration in the house when my 5-year-old looks for a specific toy that somehow he remembers from weeks ago.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
