Clean Your Room!
“Clean up your room!”
One of the most commonly used phrases heard from parents all over.
If you’ve ever uttered those words, you’ll agree that it’s a losing battle that typically ends up with tears, yelling and mutual frustration.
The problem with the phrase “clean your room” is that it’s vague and leaves a lot to interpretation:
- Does clean my room mean get all my stuff off the floor? (ok, then I’ll shove everything under my bed)
- Does clean my room mean no piles of clothes lying around? (ok, then I’ll just stuff them inside my drawers so you don’t see them)
- Does clean my room mean I have to throw everything away? (because I don’t want to do that either)
Think about how you feel when you’re staring down the barrel of a cluttered room: overwhelmed, anxious, and frustrated.
Not knowing where to begin can be paralyzing-even for you, so imagine how your kids feel?
We all need a strategy and action plan before we start de-cluttering so we don’t fall into the same bad habits that got us there in the first place.
1. Be Specific: “I need you to pick up your dirty clothes and put them in the hamper,” or “please clear off your desk”.
2. Set A Timer: Allot a specific amount of time to dedicate to a project, otherwise it may seem endless. Knowing that you have 1-hour to work on something makes it manageable.
3. Use Your Organizing ESP: My 3-step method for organizing any space: EMPTY, SORT, PURGE. Following these simple steps will help you stay on task without getting sidetracked.
I talk a lot about Personal Accountability, and it’s no different for kids. Teaching your children life skills at an early age will help set the foundation for success in school, sports, and eventually adulthood.
As parents we are often too close to the situation to be objective. We get frustrated easily; have trouble communicating calmly, so our message gets lost.
How many times have you asked your child to do something and they ignore you or fight you on it, only to hear the same message from another adult and have them complete it with ease?
If you’re at the end of your rope, it may be time to call in some reinforcement.
We hire experts to train our kids in music, sports, and art-why not to learn proper organizing skills?
I’ve developed a 3-session coaching program to help get your kids on track. Each package is customized to your child’s specific needs as we work together to set them on path for long-term success.
Contact us today to find out how to get started. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to help your kids get simply B organized.
Happy Organizing!