<h2><!--block-->Managing Summer Clutter from Kids</h2><div><!--block-->Ah, summer. Fun in the sun. Trips to the beach. Long evenings in the yard with friends. Whatever your idea of summer fun is, decluttering and organizing your house is likely not on that list.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->But summer is when many of our homes seem to unravel. Between kids being home, spontaneous outings, travel, and the steady stream of towels, sunscreen, and snacks, your usual systems can quickly fall apart. But that doesn't mean your system is broken. It could just mean you need a "summer mode" for your household. Here are some ideas to help.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Let's start with the kids and the many items that entertain them: Toys, games, arts & crafts, sports gear, etc. It can feel like it's all taking over your house. One way to stop that is to limit their access to <em>everything </em>with the "Swap Out Method". Divide their stuff into several bins, each one containing just a few toys, games, etc. The kids get one bin at at time, perhaps for a few days or a week. The remaining bins stay put away until it's time to swap it out for the next bin. Let's say you divided their stuff into 4 bins. That means 75% of it can't end up all over the house when they only have access to one bin at a time.<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/887ecb4b-9233-4c24-b21d-ef04a5b439da/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"2 - 7718498 - Kids art_play room.jpg-887ecb4b-9233-4c24-b21d-ef04a5b439da\" data-media-id=\"6a3ba2abf8f4f38ca24933e3\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="8107" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/887ecb4b-9233-4c24-b21d-ef04a5b439da/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span></div><div><!--block-->For any parents working from home, limiting interruptions throughout the day can be very important. Create a snack station with easy-to-reach options for the kids. Designate whose snack is whose with different color sticker dots. An activity cart could also provide direction when they're looking for something to do. Fill it with an arts & crafts project, coloring books & crayons, a few books, a puzzle… whatever will be easy for them to do on their own.<br><br></div><h2><!--block-->Outdoor Organization and Summer Essentials</h2><div><!--block-->The summer sun is hot and unforgiving, so keep the summer essentials organized in one place. Leave a tote packed with sunscreen, hats and bug spray in your car so it's always with you wherever you go. Assign a bin with the same type of items near your back door so everyone in the family knows where to find them when they head outside and where they should put them back when they're done.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Speaking of the yard, deck boxes and outdoor cabinets are great for storing cushions, pool toys, outdoor games, colored chalk and anything else that would otherwise end up strewn all around. And if mosquitos and flies are "bugging" your family when you sit outside, consider buying an outdoor tower fan or a reflective fly-repelling table fan.<br><br></div><h2><!--block-->Managing Wet Bathing Suits and Damp Items</h2><div><!--block-->Wet bathing suits can create musty piles around your house. A small free-standing towel rack works as long as you have the space for it. If space is limited, suction cup hooks on a bathroom wall can serve the same purpose. Just put a boot tray underneath to catch drips. Suction hooks that twist and lock in place for a better seal work best in my experience. Another option is hanging a small mesh hamper behind a bathroom door. The most important part is everyone can reach and use whichever system you choose.<br><br></div><h2><!--block-->Final Tips and Resources</h2><div><!--block-->Hopefully some of those tips will help you spend more time relaxing and less time stressing over clutter and mess this summer. If you'd like links to any of the products I've mentioned, please fee free to email me at mzorbas@kitchenwise.com.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->BIO<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Since 2017, owner Michelle Zorbas, CPO®, CWC has been helping homes & small businesses become more organized and efficient. Michelle is a Certified Professional Organizer & Productivity Specialist. She holds certifications in ADHD, Hoarding Issues, and Time Management & Productivity.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->She and her husband Ken own Kitchen Wise Closet Wise of Bergen County, designing & installing custom organization solutions.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->She's spent nearly a decade as a volunteer EMT in NY & NJ. Michelle currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau of NJ.<br><br></div>
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