Holding Pattern

When organizing a child’s room, it’s important to include them in the process. It can be emotionally jarring and a breech of trust to leave them out of decisions about decluttering and organizing their things. 

I learned when decluttering my son’s room that children can have trouble envisioning their future without the things in their room, even if they know they don’t play with certain toys or read certain books anymore.

When your child has difficulty parting with items they no longer use, I suggest having a holding area ready. Those matchbox cars they no longer play with? Put them in one bin on a shelf in the garage. The books they no longer read? Put your child’s name in it and “lend” them to a trusted friend with a younger child who will enjoy them. This way your child knows where they are and that if they really want, they can get the items back. 

After a year, as your child again about those items in the holding area if they want them. More often than not, the decision to donate the items is easily answered. And more importantly, you will be building a sense of trust by validating their opinions and feelings.