Dressed in a Flash
This article is published in the Spring 2014 edition of STORAGE by Better Homes and Gardens. The magazine will be available on newsstands in 12/23/13.
Certified Professional Organizer, Kathy Jenkins of Come To Order, reveals how to more easily get your kids ready for the day by putting them in charge of their clothing. Having your child take ownership and participate in setting up their clothing system will give them ownership and make them accountable.
Minimizing kid clothing chaos isn’t about spending a fortune on new furniture or a custom closet. It’s about getting your youngster to buy in.“ Ask your kids how they want to setup things,” professional organizer Kathy Jenkins says. Even very young kids can decide where they like to get dressed and whether they prefer their school clothes to hang on the right or left side of their closets.
“The answers don’t really matter, but your kid now has ownership in setting up the system,” Jenkins says. “And if they help make the system, they can be accountable.” Before shopping for new organizers, Jenkins recommends doing a thorough evaluation of your child’s current clothing and setting specific expectations.“ Stop throwing your shirts on the floor” isn’t a very effective rule, whereas “I expect to not see clothing on the floor when I come into your room to say good-night each night” is achievable and gives kids freedom to figure out their own methods for meeting the goal. Most critically, parents need to practice what they preach. “If you have stuff all over your bedroom floor, don’t expect your kids to understand why you are insisting that their floor be clean,” Jenkins says. Read more.
Tip: This book makes a great present for the person who has everything and loves great ideas.
Copyright 2013 by Meredith Publications & Better Homes & Gardens. Used by permission. Photography by Adam Albright.
Kathy Jenkins is the President of Come To Order, a Certified Professional Organizer®, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO and ICD and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Follow Kathy on Facebook.
Great article. One way you can get the services of a professional organizer is through a bartering service. Trade your skills for their skills. Even Craigslist in most cities have a bartering section.
That is a good idea if you have a good idea of how you want to organize and you need someone to bounce ideas off of or hold you accountable. Thanks for sharing and for the complement!