“From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life. As a result, your life will start to change. That’s why the task of putting your house in order should be done quickly. It allows you to confront the issues that are really important. Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order.” – Marie Kondo
After having my second child, I binged Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. I learned SO much from Marie Kondo on how to organize my home in a way that makes sense for my family. My favorite aspect of the show was the lack of judgment she had for those she helped. This allowed me to be gentle with myself in navigating through the number of kid items doubling in my home. 3 years later, here are the organizational hacks that work for my family.
Go through the Kids’ Clothes and Toys Every Three Months. Every few months, I go into each child’s room and purge. I figure out what clothing no longer fits and what toys have stopped sparking joy for the kiddos. I put the items that need to be donated in my trunk (to sit in there for a few months before making it to Goodwill), throw away the broken toys, or store the other items in the attic in case we add to our family in the future.
Keep a Storage Tote under Your Child’s Laundry Basket. This is a relatively new hack, but I love it! If I pull a pair of pajamas or pants that no longer fit my child, I can simply tuck it into the tote for another baby or to be donated to a mom friend in the future.
Closet Organization: Closet organization is key! Home depot has fantastic closet systems that make it easier to see where everything is in your child’s closet. Finding a home for all your items makes it easier to put the item away.
Set a Timer. Having trouble getting motivated to clean or organize your home? Set a timer for 15 minutes and get to work! I came across the Timer Method of cleaning by a TikTok influencer that I love named KC Davis. (Her TikTok handle is @domesticblisters.) Her message about cleaning and other care tasks is that they are “morally neutral.” She preaches “function” in cleaning and shows what that looks like as a mom. This mentality takes the guilt and shame out of the equation. You are still a great mom even when your house feels out of control.
“The way that you keep house, and being good or bad at cleaning, it doesn’t have anything to do with you being a successful person or a valid person or a worthy person.” – KC Davis
Ask for Help with a Cleaning Service! I am a working mom of two. I love to organize and stress clean with a glass of wine and a good true-crime podcast. I also have no shame in saying that I have someone come help clean my house once a month. Having a little extra help (if you are financially able) is a godsend! Having someone come help once a month to deep clean the time-consuming aspects of the house gives me time back with my children. It is worth every penny to have the bathrooms, kitchen, and floors clean all at the same time for once!
