Search Results for: blog kids rooms scary places or comfy spaces

Different Standards of Clean

I really like a clean house, my daughter could care less, messes and disorganization do not bother her. I have tried and tried to teach my daughter to deal with clutter and messes but it’s pretty hard to deal with things that are invisible. Hailey and I are so different when it comes to what constitutes a clean home, anything out of place bugs me, she doesn’t even see it. Years of making her clean her room have brought home exactly how different our versions of clean are. When I say clean I mean dusted, vacuumed, organized, bed made, everything … Continue reading →

Can I Really Give Them Autonomy Over Their Space?

I know in my head that my older teens need to have control over their environment and they need space and autonomy in many areas of their lives. I can talk about it and believe in “theory” that it is a very good thing. But, last night when my middle daughter informed me that she was going to be rearranging her bedroom and it involved putting the bed “in the closet” and other creative ideas—I not only balked, I tried very hard to put a stop to the whole endeavor. I tell you it was an absolute hair-trigger response. I … Continue reading →

Just When I Think I’ll Never See Their Bedroom Floor Again…

It has been a while since I have written about the messiness…the ongoing, literal, mess of living space that comes with family life. But, I wanted to give you a bit of an update, we seem to have crossed some imaginary line on the time continuum of development and my older teens are starting to care what their bedrooms look and feel like. They haven’t reached a Zen state of perfection, but they ARE starting to clean up more often! The mess has a tendency to make me crabby and my kids know it. This has never been a deterrent, … Continue reading →

Do Teens’ Messes Ruin a Home’s Feng Shui?

A few years ago, I bought a book about how to “Feng Shui” your living space. Since then, I’ve picked up a few more books and articles about energy, chi, and the art of arranging one’s environment for optimal health and happiness. I have to admit, however, that with a houseful of teenagers, there is only so much work and control I can exert over my environment. What I’m wondering—is does the teenagers’ messy rooms and constant clutter ruin my home’s Feng Shui? I have read quite about how important it is to have movement in my wealth area, and … Continue reading →

Spring Cleaning Kid’s Rooms

My kids love and dread summer vacation at the same time. They hate the ordeal of spring-cleaning their bedrooms, even though they like the results and are happy once it’s done. It’s almost that time of year again, and I can already hear, “Awwwwww, Mom, do I have to?” Here are some tips to make things less stressful when spring cleaning children’s bedrooms: Lighten Up Relax. Kids are not going to do things perfectly so don’t expect it and you won’t be disappointed. Let kids turn on some of their favorite tunes (at your choice of decibels) to lighten the … Continue reading →

In Pursuit of More Organized Mornings

We know that getting organized makes each day less stressful, and that includes the morning rush. When everyone is rushing around getting ready to begin a new day, the home environment can get a little crazy. Organization makes a big difference. If everyone can follow a system for getting ready, and no one is running around looking for his or her belongings, mornings will be much more pleasant. Everyone will also have a better chance of getting where he or she needs to be, on time. Stick to the System Sit down with family members or roommates and devise a … Continue reading →

More Kid’s Clutter Tips

Kids and their toys comprise a very specific form of clutter that must be reckoned with in very different ways than other clutter. After all, it’s educational, for the good of the child, necessary for growth and literacy, etc, etc. So how can that wealth of toys in that enormous box be better organized? Read on for some tips, if you dare. Toy Box Blues Buy an inexpensive plastic garbage can in the gaudiest color you can find. Get your own child to decorate it with his or her own stickers and help out with a stencil and the words … Continue reading →

Kids Rooms… Scary Places or Comfy Spaces?

It’s common for children’s bedrooms and playrooms to get messy quickly. The best way to resolve this problem is to consistently straighten and organize these areas in order to avoid allowing them to get out of control. Most parents have had to deal with this situation at some point. Room cleaning seems to keep getting put off, because we have limited time or simply don’t feel like dealing with the usual complaints or our kids efforts to do everything but actually get the room cleaned up. When this happens, it can lead to an overwhelming mess. Kids and parents alike … Continue reading →