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The holidays are weeks away and to most people, holidays mean houseguests. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, having family in for a weekend visit, or just a casual gathering for friends, outsiders will be peeking inside your house over the next six weeks. Are you ready?
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If the thought of outsiders (like maybe, your mother-in-law) seeing your home in its current state is making you sweat (all those stacked toys, papers, and stuffed closets—YIKES!) then you need to call Heather Lambie, professional organizer and owner of Finding White Space.
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As a mother of a 2- and a 5-year-old, Heather knows all too well how quickly kids can create clutter. Luckily, as a professional organizer, she also knows how to clear that clutter and how to teach others to do the same.
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Heather helps her clients with downsizing, purging, and getting creative in making better use of their spaces. Everyone feels blessed when a new addition comes into the family, but tiny darlings seem to come with a heap of accessories that can quickly muddle up homes and eat up closet and storage space.
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Maintaining uncluttered surroundings—especially when children are in the house—is a discipline. Here are some of Heather’s tips for creating order:
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• Have a ‘one in, one out’ rule. If the kids get a new toy or bring home a new piece of artwork, they must get rid of an old one.
• Maintenance is key. Instead of waiting until the weekend (or longer) to tidy up the house, spend 10 minutes at the end of each day helping your kids pick up their toys and clothing so you start each new day fresh.
• Make kids accountable. If items are left on the floor after multiple requests to pick them up, take the items and put them in a “win it back” box. Children must do a good deed or chore to win back toys in the box.
• Make it fun! At the end of the day, have a race with your kids to see who can pick up the most toys and return them to their proper rooms and homes the fastest.
• Don’t lose yourself. To keep a sense of self after a baby comes into the house, reclaim and maintain some adult-only spaces (like the dining room or your bedroom) where kid stuff is not allowed.
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For additional tips, or to have Heather over for a consultation or organizing session to help you get your home holiday-ready, visit her website at www.findingwhitespace.com or call her at 727-239-3511.
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Contributing Writer: Heather Lambie, professional organizer, Finding White Space