Between juggling work, family responsibilities, and our personal lives, it can be easy to let clutter accumulate. Chances are, you've accumulated multiples of things like kitchen gadgets, clothing, or even sentimental items over the years. By paring down to the essentials, you can simplify your life and appreciate the items that truly bring you joy and serve a purpose.
If you’re trying to go on your own Marie Kondo journey at home, this guide will provide actionable ways to involve your family in the decluttering process.
Involving Your Family in Decluttering Your Home
Involving your family in decluttering teaches valuable life skills, fosters a sense of responsibility, and creates a shared sense of ownership in the home. When everyone contributes to maintaining a tidy space, it can strengthen those family bonds and clean up the house.
💬 Talking Point:
"Our house has gotten pretty cluttered lately and it's kind of making it less fun to be at home. I know it might not seem like a big deal, but I really think it would be great if we could all work together as a family to make our space more organized. By getting rid of all the extra stuff we don't need, we can focus on the things that actually matter to us. Plus, it'll be easier to find your favorite things when you need them.”
Toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years):
Make a game by encouraging them to sort toys by color, size, or type.
Teach them to put away their belongings after playtime.
Use simple labels or pictures to help them understand where items belong.
Sing cleanup songs or make rhymes to make the process more engaging and fun.
Create designated spaces for their favorite toys or belongings to make it easier for them to maintain order.
School-age children (6-12 years):
Assign age-appropriate tasks, such as organizing their closet, donating outgrown clothes, or sorting through school papers.
Encourage them to make decisions about what items to keep or let go.
Help them create a plan or checklist for decluttering tasks to make the process more manageable.
Engage them in discussions about the benefits of donating items to those in need to foster empathy and social responsibility.
Make the process a family activity by working together on a shared space, such as a playroom or living area.
Teenagers (13-18 years):
Give them more autonomy in decluttering their own spaces, like their bedroom or study area.
Empower them to develop their own organizational systems and routines.
Discuss the importance of maintaining an organized space for better focus, productivity, and mental well-being.
Encourage them to set goals for their space and help them create a plan to achieve those goals.
Respect their privacy and boundaries while offering support and guidance when needed.
Encourage children to take responsibility for their own spaces, such as their bedrooms and shared living areas. Decluttering can be a great opportunity to bond with the family. As you move through the various rooms or items in your space, it might lead to some impromptu walks down memory lane!
Tackle one area at a time
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, focus on one area of your home at a time. Start with high-traffic zones like the living room or kitchen and work your way through the house.
Use the "Four Box Method" to sort items:
1. Keep: Items you use regularly and love
2. Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer need or use
3. Sell: Items of value that you can sell online or at a garage sale
4. Discard: Items that are broken, worn out, or no longer usable. It can be incredibly challenging to balance work, family life, and maintaining a home. Take advantage of mobile apps and digital tools to help streamline the decluttering process. Apps like Trello or Notion can help you create task lists and assign responsibilities.
Questions to pose to the kiddos if they’re struggling to decide on certain items:
When was the last time you played with this toy?
Do you have more than one of these? If yes, do you use all of them?
Does this toy make you happy, or do you use it for something important?
Is this special enough to keep in your room, even though it takes up space?
Figure out what’s next for your items
When decluttering items from children and parents of all ages, there are several ways to responsibly and thoughtfully pass them on.
Give items away via your local “Buy Nothing” group
For items that are in good condition, you could give them to a neighbor! A "Buy Nothing" group is a local community where members give and receive items for free, with the goal of reducing waste, saving money, and building community connections. Many of these groups organize on platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor.
Donate to local charities
Many local charities, such as Dress for Success, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or homeless shelters, accept gently used clothing, toys, books, and household items. These organizations can distribute the items to families in need within your community.
Repurpose or upcycle
Get creative and find new ways to use old items. For example, you can turn old t-shirts into reusable shopping bags or transform a child's outgrown rain boots into colorful planters for the garden.
Organize a swap party
Host a swap party with friends or neighbors where everyone brings items they no longer need and can trade with others. This is a fun way to exchange items and find new treasures while decluttering.
Recycle responsibly
For items that are no longer usable, such as broken toys or worn-out clothing, recycle them responsibly. Check with your local recycling center to see what items they accept and how to properly dispose of them.
💬 Talking Point:
“You know, if we donate this [item] to someone else, it could make them really happy. Imagine another child who doesn't have many toys getting to play with this! They would be so excited and grateful. And you would be doing a really kind thing by sharing with others.”
Involving your family in the process of deciding where to donate or pass on their items can help teach them the value of sharing, giving to others, and making a positive impact on their community. By finding new homes for the things, you no longer need, you're not only decluttering your space but also helping others and reducing waste.