DrDeClutterBlog.com

Have teens? Have teens will clutter!

And you think Halloween was scary!

If you have a messy teen, learning to help them help themselves, and you, stay organized will lessen the stress in your life and theirs . . . for a lifetime.

Organizing “skills” are taught and are lifetime skills. Teach them young and enjoy the benefits!

Now, before you read more… go look at their bedroom. On the way back to read this article stop in the kitchen for chocolate and maybe alcohol.

Okay. Ready? ;-D

Got Whining? I meant your teen, not you. It will happen. But it is not a barrier to the process and progress.

Deep breath… here we go:

1. Schedule uninterrupted time with them – or, just trap them in their room when you can get them in there.

Choose a slow pace. You or I might tackle our declutter jobs for an entire day, but your teen will not. An hour at a time is a good guide. Those hours will add up and eventually make a difference.

2. Grab, Dump, Decide and Sort.
Find the bed. Clear off the top. Now, one at a time, dump each dresser drawer out onto the bed and make individual decisions about what to keep and what to donate. Have a trash bag or box ready to dump into. Assume that it all needs to be washed first before donating!

3. Kids need Concrete Questions to make decisions.
Saying “how about we organize your clothing” is worthless. But saying “choose seven T-shirts to keep as pajama shirts” gets actual results.

4. Move to the Closet.
Pull out lumps, piles and hanging clothes one big blob at a time and dump on the bed, then do the same process as in #2.

5. Stand back and High 5!
Wow! Look at all that room! Do a Happy Dance together! Good memories! Take photos and send to family and friends for more cheers!!

There’s room for clothing, shoes and favorite items that have been located and are no longer hidden by the stuff that is outdated, old, too small, torn, or otherwise unworthy of daylight.

6. Assess Systems
To create a functional bedroom, den, rec room, etc. look at categories and the systems/”homes” in which they need to “live”. Does your teen’s room need a better/bigger dresser, cubbies, wall hooks,etc? Sometimes the reason clothes and items end up on the floor is because there’s no system in which to store them appropriately.

7. Back to Whining
Just be ready for the occasional ”Are we done yet?!”

8. Teach your Teen Organizing Skills.
Involve the teen as much as possible. Give them ownership of all decisions. Do not take their belongings away without their permission. (This goes for spouses too, but that’s another article!)

Oh, and this means that you need to know how to organize too and be a good daily role model of how your bedroom and home looks for them. (Go ahead, eat another piece of chocolate.)

9. Tie the Activity to the Goal.
“When your room is decluttered, then you’ll have space for displaying your favorite doodads, spreading out your homework, having friends over or practicing your Got-A-Dance dance moves .”

10. Retrain Their Brain or, “Wha?”
Remember that the teen’s brain is not fully developed, so expecting logical behavior is highly discouraged.

Have fun! And, love your teen up like crazy in the process! They won’t be there forever. Except when they are . . .  or move back in a few years after graduation! I’m just sayin’.

I can’t say it enough – get these skills instilled now to head off future problems and bless your child for a lifetime of less stress, embarrassment and possible big problems by losing important papers, unpaid bills or lost time.

Did I say, “Have fun?!” : )

If you have one or more children at school, the holidays can get a little out of hand. Keep yourself (and your kids!) organized this year with these quick ideas:

School Activities:

* Use a calendar. This is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself organized. Keep a large, wipe-off calendar in the kitchen. Have your children write their parties or other holiday activities on the calendar. This way, everyone will be able to see who has an event scheduled. This will help to prevent over-scheduling or double-booking any day of the month.

* Keep a running list. Your kids will be asked to bring refreshments to contribute to their class party. Keep a running list on the refrigerator so that you can do your shopping all at once. Having this list will prevent you from making several trips to the grocery store.

Gift Giving:

* Create a budget for your kids. If you will be providing money for your kids to buy Christmas gifts with, then make a budget. If they will use their own money for shopping, you should still help them make a budget so they don’t overspend.

* Make a shopping list. Again, create a list with each child of who they need to shop for. If they know what kind of gift they will buy for their friends, then let them go ahead and make that list. Don’t take them shopping without a plan or it may end in disaster, with you spending a lot more than you’d intended to in the beginning or worst shopping for hours without finding the right gifts.

Christmas makes kids wide-eyed, with thoughts of a ton of presents under the Christmas tree. Some kids even like to count their presents under the tree. This holiday season, teach your kids the true meaning of Christmas — giving to others.

GIVE TO OTHERS – TEACH BY EXAMPLE

DONATE TO LOCAL SHELTER: One simple way to teach your children the value of giving is to have them donate to a local shelter. Have your children go through their toys and clothes. Make sure they give away one really nice thing that they don’t really need or play with. Place an emphasis on the fact that there are many children who have no home or parents.

GIVE TO LOCAL FOOD DRIVE: Another way your children can learn about the gift of giving is to donate canned goods to a local food drive service. These services provide food to families in need. The holidays are often a difficult time for those in need. Take your children to the grocery store and have them choose a nice variety of canned foods to donate.

BUY GIFTS FOR NEEDY FAMILY: One more way your children can learn a lesson in giving is to buy gifts for others. Choose a needy family in your church or community. If you don’t know of anyone in need, ask around. Officials at your city’s municipal building, or local pastors will be able to make recommendations to you.

Take your children shopping and help them pick out age-appropriate toys and gifts. Let them wrap the gifts, too. Finally, drive your family to your “adopted” family’s home and let your kids hand out their gifts. You can also give a gift to a local gift drive for children in need, most of these will advertise in stores and the local community during the holidays.

These kinds of life experiences and teachings give children a work and life ethic for a lifetime.

For many children, each year, the holidays are interrupted by a trip to the hospital emergency room.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 235,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2008; nearly three quarters of those injured were children under age 15.

90% of these injuries were preventable. Unfortunately, each year some of these easily preventable injuries will result in blindness.

So, choose toys wisely. Prevent Blindness America recommends gift-givers follow these tips for choosing safe toys:

1) Look for toys that have the letters “ASTM.”
This means that the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials. (Many toy makers follow safety guidelines, some do not).

2) Inspect toys for sturdy construction.
Children’s toys should be durable and be able to with stand impact. (Shattering pieces are a recipe for disaster).

3) Store toys properly after play to avoid trips and falls onto sharp objects.
Check the lenses and frames of “dress-up” and sunglasses. Many less sturdy models can break resulting in an eye injury. Always avoid toys with sharp areas or rods. (Stay clear of toy weapons).

4) Avoid toys with flying objects or that shoot – especially BB guns and slingshots. (Toy guns are responsible for the largest amount of eye injuries in children).

5) Never give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths increasing the risk of choking.

6) Read directions carefully and follow suggested age levels to ensure the toy is appropriate for your child’s ability and age.

7) Explain the proper use of a toy to your child. A simple explanation of how not to use a toy and enforcing it prevents dangerous misuse of some toys.

Similar tips for a safe holiday season from the American Academy of Ophthalmology include:

1. Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.
2. Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause injury.
3. If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your local Eye M.D. to learn about protective gear recommended for your child’s sport.
4. Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.
5. Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.
6. The branches and needles of Christmas trees can be hazardous to the eyes, so be especially careful when untying your tree. The branches can burst forward, hitting and injuring your eyes. Glass ornaments should be hung out of a child’s reach to avoid potential injury.

IF EYE IS INJURED

If a child does sustain a cut or puncture of the eye or eyelid, knowing what to do could help to prevent vision loss: PBA lists the following instructions to help save valuable time.

1) DO NOT allow the child to rub the eye.
2) DO NOT try to remove an object that is stuck in the eye. (This could further damage delicate eye tissue) Cover the eye with a rigid shield without applying pressure. The bottom half of a paper cup can be used. See a doctor at once”.

Enjoy the holidays and keep these eye safety tips in mind while you finish your holiday shopping.

Is this too fun or what?

Get creative for your child this Halloween!

What a blast for them and everyone who gets to join in the fun of seeing them have so much fun in their very cool costume, enjoying Halloween with the rest of the kids. Boy, talk about making memories to last a lifetime!

Here’s another one.

Have fun kids!

Okay, and here’s one for a dog. Ohhhhhh!

I got these off of Facebook… but I just Googled and found many more! Have fun creating yours.

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Please! Take out the battery!

Remove batteries from old cell phones before giving them to children as toys.

Why? A cell phone without a service carrier, even one that has been deactivated, can still dial 911.

This results in a lot of calls to the dispatch center that keep personnel from attending to actual emergency calls.

Okay, here it is!! Holiday shopping madness season!

If you didn’t do it all on Black Friday, you have weeks to go yet, right?

I want to offer you a very cool tip on finding stuff for free!! Yes FREE!! Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or any event… save money, time and nerves the next time you need to shop for clothing, especially when you have children.

How?

1.  Declutter.
Yes, you heard me! When you declutter piles and heaps and boxes of stuff and things in closets, garage floors and attics you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find that you forgot to give in the past or bought two of along the way, someone gave you and you’ll never use, or… whatever!

2.  Plan on REGIFTING!
Create a “Gift Box” and put these items in it for “regifting”. Yes, REGIFTING! Why spend more money and mental anquish over things you already have!

3.  Box and Label for Future FREE Stuff!
When you get and stay organized by boxing and labeling you seasonal clothing – and children’s clothing that can be worn the next year by the same or another younger child– you will save yourself plenty of time, energy and money by going into your storage boxes and bins and finding most of what you may need “before” you go store shopping.

Yes, we already own most of what we need; we just don’t remember where we put it! So, the more organized you are and the better categorizing and labeling you do when organizing, you will find much of what you need right in your own square-foot-heaven.

This includes all kinds of items, like tape, pens, batteries, flashlights, supplies of all kinds, gloves, etc. When you keep items in “categories” and “contained” in boxes, tubs, bins and baskets, and “label” them so that everyone in the house can find them and put them back when done using the items (teach everyone!) you’ll waste less money, time and mental energy trying to locate and use what you already own.

Happy (in-home) Shopping!

The City of Longmont, CO fire stations are accepting used bicycles for donation to Bicycle Longmont’s Christmas Bike Program. Drop off unwanted, used bikes at the nearest fire station. Santa’s elves will repair the donated bikes! Go Santa!!

Kids receive repaired and happy bikes through charity organizations: The Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, the OUR Center, the Inn Between and the school district’s Safe Routes to School Program.

Check this article for deadlines, drop off points, contact information and more.

For over two decades the Christmas Bike Program has been helping local children get a “pre-owned” bike to change their lives in an important way. A bike might enable a child to earn money with a paper route, see relatives who live far enough away that walking would take too long, get groceries and . . . just have some fun with friends or alone!

Scooters and tricycles are also welcome.

Make a difference this year. Declutter and old bike for a new life for a child.

Start a Christmas Bicycle Program in your community this year!

Whoa! It’s Halloween time again! When did that happen!!

If you have kids that want Halloween to be fun, planning ahead, even at the last minute! is important.

1. What will your kids be wearing? What do they want to dress up as?

2. Can you create it out of what you already have or will you be purchasing, renting or barrowing a costume and accessories?

3.  Where are they going?

4 . Who are they going with?

5. What’s happening in your neighborhood or area for trick-or-treating?

6. Safety is a must of course. Safety in regards to their costume for walking, skipping and running (because they will!) and safety if they are out and about on their own or with other little ones.

Help your kids have memorable fun this year!

7. Take lots of pictures.

8. Scrapbook those photos immediately!

DONE! Have a great Halloween!