ORGANIZING IS CHILD'S PLAY! WITH A TWIST!
ANSWER HONESTLY:
Do your children have an overabundance of toys, puzzles, games, art projects, school papers and more?
Have they outgrown much of the above but still have them hanging around, stuffed into boxes, drawers and/or closets?
Have you asked them to go through their "stuff," and sort what they want to keep vs. discard?
DO THEY LISTEN AND GET IT DONE? I BET THE ANSWER IS NO!
SOLUTION: HIRE AN ORGANIZER TO WORK WITH THEM TO GET THE JOB DONE! HERE'S WHY:
The organizer, is a neutral adult, not a parent. That reduces the tension a million fold.
The child, and I've worked with children as young as 7 to teens), LOVE the idea that they have a person dedicated to helping them, who won't criticize, and who accepts their decision. (Of course, later, in private, the parents can override some decisions, but the child feels responsible and has ownership of their "stuff.")
The organizer provides the child with the opportunity to self-assess. (Am I too grown up for this? Do I still use it? Is it still in good condition?)
You will hear, for certain, "Oh! That's where that piece of my game is! I've been looking for it all over!"
The child, at the project's end, looks at their room or den and sees things in order, which they helped create. They become invested in that space. They own it.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, the organizer and child discuss the value of donating things in good condition to children less fortunate than they, and the good feelings achieved by doing so. And the parents didn't have to supervise.
PARENTS: CONSIDER THESE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:
