Decluttering (especially children's stuff)

Sezzagirl

I'd agree with the suggestion that Santa likes children to give away a few toys before he brings some new ones

Also, something that worked well for us was taking pictures of any creations that come home - pictures or models - then loading them onto the computer so they are displayed as a screen saver

Worked as a good way of clearing out when the art gallery got full!!

Caroline73_2

My husbands post used to drive me mad. He'd open it, put it all back in the envelope and leave it on the computer desk. Because it was his post I couldn't tidy it away so he'd shove it in his wardrobe.

One day we were sorting out ready to move house. He took out two large boxes full of post. It took us both a full day to sort it out. Now, I open it, immediately put envelopes, junk mail and leaflets in the recycling. I leave his post on the kitchen table for him to look at when he comes home from work. The next day I either shred or file it.

JimmyTheWig

Sezzagirl wrote: »

Also, something that worked well for us was taking pictures of any creations that come home - pictures or models - then loading them onto the computer so they are displayed as a screen saver

Worked as a good way of clearing out when the art gallery got full!!

Sezzagirl - that's a wonderful suggestion.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Our youngest of 4 has just started pre-school. Needless to say we are inundated with masterpieces already and the pile is set to get bigger.
A job that never makes it to the top of the list is to clear out some of the old stuff that they've done. We always put it off because (a) it's a bit daunting but (b) we don't really want to get rid of it. Taking digital photos of them all is a great compromise.

Football_Widow_2

Hi Jody

I am sorry to read that you feeling down. I have had a look at your photo's and I also showed them to my DD who is 6. She thought your little girls room very pretty and very tidy. She did suggest some shelves to put the books and games on.

I am very similar to you. I hate clutter however I have a daughter who remembers everything that she has. I managed to get her rid of a few things by doing a car boot with her, which she really enjoyed (I was nicely prepared to keep her occupied). I also get very frustrated with bits that she keeps but I buy pretty baskets and boxes to put them in. Having said that we are really overwhelmed with stuff too!!

I find that I use tidying as a way of sorting out my own mind. Are you sure it is the clutter getting you down or maybe something else.

I think you have to be very careful making your daughter throw things away. I think that you will need to support her and a lot of people have some very good ideas - (I also take photos of creations although they also go up into the loft - I can't bear to throw them away:eek: either) - memory boxes are a good idea, also scrap booking where she can put special cards and photos.

My poor husband has very little clutter now as I have cleared most of it out - especially once his mum and dad moved into residential care - we had their whole bungalow in our garage for 3 years (they hadn't thrown anything away since 1969!!) We spent every weekend for 3 months sorting it all out, but importantly we did it together! Sadly a lot of stuff was ruined due to the garage getting flooded and very damp.

I wouldn't deal with this side of Christmas, maybe after when you will have time to sort things out properly.

Good Luck ... x

webitha

CH27 wrote: »

We used to have a big clear out the week before xmas to get rid of old/broken/unwanted toys to make way for the new stuff
Son always helped me to take the decent stuff to the charity shop.

We always took his too small clothes to the chaity shop every year too.

this is what me and my things do every year, they like doing their bit for chariddy :rotfl:

but i think its more the fact that they know they are getting new stuff

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I would agree that it won't be a tidy bedroom by Christmas. I would set targets - one box has to be done. Then two, then what is left in those boxes is combined into one, etc.


I snap after clutter begins to build up and just bin tons. Unfortunately, before my ex moved out, he couldn't be bothered to sort through stuff when I moved house. As such, I can't even get into my shed to put things away, as he insisted on keeping things I just didn't need (they weren't his things, but he decided he had to keep them if I wanted to get rid). I can't get up into the loft, so I'm never going to be able to sort out what's up there.

So I just chuck out the stuff I can reach that annoys me.

maidincornwall

I am a terrible hoarder, no room in my house has ever looked quite as tidy as your daughters room, however I do dislike things left everywhere, ive found the best way to deal with kids clutter is just get some more big stacking boxes! at least then its neatly put away and every 6 months or so I'll go through them with them and throw away the absolute junk and give away toys etc that they can bear to part with, also broken toys I tend to take out when they arent about! At least this way things can be kept in the minimum of space and 'look' neat and tidy!

Gingham_R

Looks like a perfect room for a little one. I understand that it's driving you crazy but I bet she loves it!

What about putting some shelves up and telling her when all the available storage spaces are full she must get rid of some thing she no longer uses and must do that each time she gets new things. But as long as she can fit everything on/in the storage space, she can keep what she likes?

londonsurrey

I'm not saying that a little girl's attachment to pretty sentimental things is the same as a 60 year old hoarder with a disorder gone out control are the same, but I found this interesting, in the light of what I was trying to explain yesterday about a child going the opposite way of a constantly decluttering parent:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076822/Richard-Wallace-hoarded-rubbish-seen-space.html

Mr Wallace's obsessive behaviour appears to stem from his overbearing father ... "He wouldn't tolerate things lying about for very long", he recalls. "He would be constantly sorting and throwing out and so I've sort of rebelled against that".

Judith_W

Just a thought for the pictures DD has made, how about taking a photo of each and doing a cheap bob book with a few on each page, or getting her to pick her faves. I would say that if she is that much of a hoarder now just think what she might be like as an adult, this needs to be stopped NOW.

I agree with the idea of having a set space/box and can only keep what goes in that space, or what about asking her to specify the things she wants to keep without having them in front of them so she only remembers the ones she really wants.

A one in one out policy for new toys is also a must. She wants that new calendar - well what is she going to get rid of so she can have it? I love the idea of leaving toys for Santa for other children. Our local church does a toy sunday a couple of weeks before Christmas for Kids who don't get many. I think this is a great way of getting the kids involved.