We have an ongoing struggle in our house—it involves getting our seven-year-old daughter to tidy up her room. My son has always been on the tidy side. Perhaps it’s a first child thing. He doesn’t actually like to tidy up, but he also doesn’t make much of a mess. My daughter, on the other hand, seems to think messy is best.
I have tried patience and kindness, and then angry outbursts, but usually I end up cleaning her room myself. I read this good piece of advice from organizer Julie Morgenstern recently:
The goal is to get your child to buy into the organizing process—not to steamroll Mary or Frank into cleaning up the room because you can’t stand it anymore. This requires the ultimate in diplomacy and tact. In working with your child, you become the Organizing Consultant. You have to ask questions to find out what is going to work for your “client.” Remember and respect how overwhelming the project can be. Your job is to guide, motivate, and stay supportive—not be critical.
It’s definitely something to work towards. In the meantime, I decided to take 10 minutes today to rectify a problem that I created in her bedroom all on my own.
H&M has a coupon right now for 20% off of children’s clothing. So, I decided to take my kids to get a few new things this past weekend. As we were about to leave, my brother-in-law stopped by with a big bag of hand-me-down clothes for my daughter. I joked that we didn’t need to go to H&M anymore, but my daughter didn’t find that funny.
We found a few items for her at H&M, including this coat, which was on sale and $16 after the coupon. It has been cold the last couple days, so she is still able to wear it. (My son didn’t want anything. He just kept talking about video games.)
She also picked out this dress, sweater and leggings combo on her own.
She got this flowered top, which she paired up with a jean skirt she got from her cousin.
Of course, mommy couldn’t resist a sale. I bought myself a couple of sweaters, including this black and white striped one.
The day after our shopping trip, I fit the new clothes and her hand-me-down lovelies into her drawers and closet. Unfortunately, I have developed a bad habit—when I purge items from her closet, I just throw them up onto the top shelf “temporarily.”
So, my “10-minute tidy” for today involved sorting those discarded pieces and boxing them into sizes 5 and 6. Along with the sizes 3 and 4 in the basement, I plan to sell the good items in lots online. More work for a later day.
I think my daughter will be happy that she can now actually see her collectible dolls.
A funny side story: My dog, Jolene, follows me around the house, and was relaxing on my daughter’s bed while I sorted the clothes. When I went back downstairs, I heard Jolene upstairs crying. I went to investigate and found this:
(Yep, that’s me in the portrait rockin’ my eighties hairdo. I was a Marilyn Monroe fan.)
How’s your spring cleaning going?
I love the photo of you and your daughter and loveee all the clothes you ladies picked out. Your 10 minute tidy paid off, the closet looks great. I think my hound pup, Satchmo would get along with Jolene, he's a cream puff, too, lol. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. You're a doll. My son took the photo of my daughter and I together. Satchmo would have to be patient. Jolene comes across as a little nutty with other dogs due to excessive barking! :)
DeleteLOL I had the same 80's do! Platinum blonde, so vogue~* Anyway, I love the advice on organizing. My son is 15 and we intend to do a room redo for him this summer. I've been playing consultant "so, what would work for you as far as track shoe organization" type stuff. Thus far he is unimpressed...did I mention he was a 15 year old boy...ah well, we have a few months left before the project gets underway! Kudos to getting your daughter's closet under control-- & to the adorable striped sweater {can never go wrong with black & white & you look so cute!}
ReplyDeleteI think I even dipped my hair in bleach once. Yikes. Yes, 15-year-old boys are unimpressed in general, aren't they? Sounds like you are on the right track with the room redo though. Thanks for your kind comments!
DeleteAh, too adorable! She is a real fashionista, huh? I love the vintage look to these photos... So classic, so perfect.
ReplyDeleteI've also been tackling my closet for spring cleaning. Unbelievably, I've just recently discovered that there is, in fact, a floor.
She does indeed love clothes! I can't take all the blame. She is more "girly" than I am. Thanks Hannah...I am having fun with some photo filters. I hear ya on the closet thing. My own floor is gradually disappearing.
DeleteSuper cute!
ReplyDeleteLove the mommy-daughter shot.
Your girl is so stylish ;D she looks great and so do you Miss Joann ;D
Oh and the closet clean up - is very inspirational ;D on my To Do list for sure.
xoxo
Thanks Ella! Of course, most photos of me get deleted. ;) Oh, the to do list...how it grows and grows! Especially in the springtime, when the sun shines through the window and exposes the flaws that were hidden in darkness. ;)
DeleteThat was a good job of clean out for 10 minutes. I love your daughter's little bag that looks like a dog!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Of course, that doesn't include the time spent weeding out clothes before. Yes, it is a cute bag. She loves purses, and if they are animals, even better.
DeleteYou have a small fashionista on your hands. I like the fur coat and the way she styled everything!
ReplyDeleteShe is pretty funny!
DeleteFound you on the OMF link party- Your post caught my eye because I'm a HUGE fan of the 10 minute tidy! :-) In fact, I have a whole blog dedicated to things you can do under 20 minutes...lots of organizing, recipes, fitness, etc! I hope you'll come take a peek at www.20minutemom.com
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, I can't wait to see your tips! I'm sure I can use them.
Delete