I love hearing how this mama is using what she’s learning to help her daughter:
Hi, Dana:
I love your blog, but who doesn’t? The idea of decluttering one box at a time was just what I needed to attack (and defeat) my closet last month. I’m the one who posted on Facebook that I got my little girl to do “one in one out” by using a paper bag to measure volume. I wanted to tell you how I used ideas from your blog to help my daughter fight messy, overcrowded room syndrome.
Here is what I do. As part of her chores each day, she tidies her room for ten to fifteen minutes, without my oversight. I just set the oven timer, she goes back to listen to kid’s CDs, and clean up. Ten to fifteen minutes is NOT “go clean your room,” like I used to say. It’s “go clean up part of your room,” which is much less intimidating. Afterward, she has free time, and she knows this is not going to take her whole evening, because all I am looking for is some progress. I’ve noticed that she’s willing to do this without drama, because it has a time limit. When the oven timer goes off, I tell her that time is up, and go compliment her on her progress. I generally include the words “fabulous”, “glorious”, or “awesome” in my description of what she’s done.
Your idea of breaking jobs down into manageable pieces is what started this, so thanks a bunch for inspiring me. Your concepts can be handed down to kids to make their lives less stressful, too. BTW, I think I’m going to go down to five minutes soon. I just walked in her room to retrieve her laundry basket, and it’s pretty spiffy in there. (Yeah, I’m bragging on my kid!)
With much admiration,
Stephanie Lowman
--Nony
Dear Nony,
I just wrote a post (I just started a how-to-be-happy type of blog) about your podcasts today, and I just want to thank you for being a big help to me unknowingly. Your podcasts have been an inspiration to me lately. My sister told me about them and I have been hooked ever since.
If you want, you are welcome to check out my post about your podcast 🙂
http://conniecrybaby.wix.com/crybaby
–Connie
Oh thank you so much!!!
This is so cool, I know a few momma’s who I think would love this tip. Now if only it would work on my furkids.
and my husband! LOL
Great idea inspired by you! 🙂
and my husband! LOL
^ that reply was meant for Stella! ^ duh…
Love it! If we get overwhelmed by our mess, we gotta get a clue that our kiddos do, too. Nothing makes my bunch shut down faster than asking them to clean when a mess is large, implying that you don’t stop until it’s done.
My mom did this with me when I was little. It was really exciting when the day finally came that I regularly finished cleaning my entire room in fifteen minutes.
Now I wish I could clean my whole house in fifteen minutes >.<
I came to the realization awhile back that I was never taught HOW to clean my room. My parents would send me into my horrendous room and tell me to “clean it up” and left me on my own to figure it out. I recall sitting in the pile of stuff, sort of puttering around, not knowing what to do (besides the whole cram things in the closet and under the bed thing…). As a adult it was very eye opening realizing kids aren’t born knowing how to clean and organize, there’s a certain amount that needs to be taught. Things need to have homes. Not everything needs to be kept. I’m hopefully laying the groundwork for my son to be at least a mildly organized person. I know once in awhile I still need to help him do thorough, purging, clean outs, but being able to set a timer and see legitimate progress because he knows WHAT to do, is amazing.