Organizing Your Kids’ Stuff
When we had this colorful built-in closet/toy storage made last year, I knew that organizing my kids’ stuff wouldn’t end there. I knew I would still declutter, sort and re-organize their stuff once in a while. Because the truth is, keeping things organized in our home is a challenge for me. So I had to find ways to alleviate the need to organize their stuff all the time.
Here are a few tips that you can also do at home:
- Invest in custom-made closets. While buying ready-made furniture is fine, nothing beats a customized one because you have full control over the whole thing! My kids’ closet is a big floor-to-roof built-in closet that I designed myself (that’s why it’s very colorful! Haha). I made sure there were enough drawers and compartments for their undergarments, towels, bath robes, socks, bibs, costumes, and the like. If you don’t have the budget yet, you can use plastic racks to segregate these things.
- Use hanging organizers for accessories. At SM Department Stores, they sell all sorts of organizers in different shapes and sizes. Hanging organizers are good for storing accessories such as watches, belts, jewelry, head bands and anything for the hair.
- Use toy storage bins. We bought our toy storage bins from Ace Hardware. These bins keep me sane! Haha. My kids play their toys everyday and most of the time, they are scattered everywhere. With the help of these bins, sorting out toys and putting them back have never been easier. I even get to train my kids to clean up their own mess after each playtime. (3rd picture on the first row)
- Segregate “everyday” toys from expensive ones. (READ: LeapFrog, Fisher Price, Playskool, etc.) I don’t put electronic & educational toys in the bins. I place them in the cabinets above the toy bins so my kids won’t be able to reach them without my permission. I also allotted another compartment for their bags and other stuff. (2nd picture on the first row)
- Train your kids to clean up. Need I say more? Hehe. This is the most important. You can have the nicest closets or toy bins, but without educating your little ones on the importance of “clean as you go” (I learned this from working in fast-food restaurants), everything I mentioned above is useless.
All of them are big tips, but especially the last one. I always worry that our nanny culture, and in this case it’s cleaning up after our kids, is somehow stunting their growth and development.
Prov. 22:6, “TRAIN UP a child in the way he should go, and when he is old HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.”
It’s the training that we need to work on. They will not wake up one day and decide to be diligent in cleanliness.
That is sooo true! It’s also one of the reasons why I resigned from my job coz my eldest grew up with different yayas and is used to being treated like a seniorito all the time. Haha. Spoiled!
I love your cabinet Sis! It is so amazing! I want something like that. Sana I can build one for my kids. Kaso we don’t own our house kasi. They will sell this one someday. Pero thanks for sharing this tips.
I agree with Carlo. The training is where we should focus on.
Yep, training our kids is very important. Pero ang hirap lang talaga to teach discipline to kids these days, ano? Haaay.
oh, how nice closets. love the combination of paints. and i am envious at how the room is organize. my kids room? M-E-S-S! the husband says its about time they clean up their room, its not like ill be forever their slave
Thanks. Mahirapa talaga mag-train ng kids, sis. Di ka nag-iisa. Hehe. Ganyan din ang dialogue ko sa eldest ko kagabi. Something like, “I am your mom, not your slave!” haha.
I practice toy segregation, too. Haha! The cheaper ones are for everyday play, the more expensive ones on certain occasions only. And with my consent as well.
I totally agree! Toys are very expensive kasi and most kids don’t understand the value of these things kasi para sa kanila “laruan” lang. Hehe.
im back here. will add this url to “my reading list” page… thanks, sis…
Awesome tips!
)I would totally love to have the organizers! For my accessories and other stuff!
those are nice closets! very colorful
I think your last tip is the best. Ultimately, teaching the kids to be responsible and keeping their things in order makes them a better person in the future.
xoxo
MrsMartinez
haha i need to have this workshop! im so messy!!
great post!
Rovie, The Bargain Dolll
I totally agree with you on the custom made closets. It applies to most storage furniture too. I’m blessed to be based in Jakarta where I found an english speaking furniture maker and am able to design most of my furniture so I don’t waste an inch of space in small home.
I’ve no kids yet but I enjoyed this organizing post. Very practical. =)
I want those storage keepers for myself! Haha! They look so cute. And you did a great job organizing the kids’ stuffs =)
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