Fall is a great time to build routines, declutter and refresh your space!
This time of year is a good time to evaluate your child's play spaces and assess whether the arrangement and contents are serving your family in the best way.
If you have been in your home for more than 5 years, then your space could probably use a decluttering. Accumulating "stuff" is just part of being a member of modern American culture. Marketing and a "more is better" mindset is working against us to fill our homes. Be assured you are enough and you have enough.
As you settle into the school year routine, perhaps consider building in some new or adding on to your existing routines in a way that enhances the quality of life for all of those in your home.
Our brains like safety, simplicity, consistency and some level of organization (whether you are a kid or an adult).
As you can imagine, having to maintain The Wonder Room and my home, I've had to develop some routines or habits that make my life functional without undue overwhelm. I haven't always been successful. My house does look lived in. But, it works for me. Perhaps some of the routines that I have used may be helpful for you.
Routines help to simplify tasks down to manageable steps that repeat morning or night (or whenever during the day) and once learned take very little bandwidth to maintain.
At The Wonder Room, everyday I tidy all the spaces - placing items back in their designated homes or zones, wiping surfaces down, collecting trash, and vacuum / sweep/ mop. It is automatic. On most days this takes me less than 15 minutes.
When my boys were young, we had a simple nighttime routine - bath, books, & bed - and they were in bed by 7:30pm (most nights). Before bathtime, we (with the kids) would tidy a bit. And after they were in bed, we'd do a quick straightening and load the dishwasher, before we had time to ourselves.
Perhaps incorporate one or more of these ideas into your already established routines:
Tidy the kitchen counter before you go to bed - it will feel good in the morning
Layout clothes to be worn the next day
Pack backpacks before you go to bed
Prep breakfast or lunch items ahead
Tidy your entry area/ drop zone regularly - it is the first / last place in your home that family members experience as they enter and exit your home and it sets the tone for the home - everything in this space needs a clearly defined home that even young children can successfully use
Include a donation bag and a trash bin in your drop zone and remove or empty them regularly
If you have extra bandwidth, add a quick decluttering - pick a new drawer or small space each day/ week
Whatever routines or systems you put in place will work on most days, but let's face it...life happens. So give yourself some grace and restart again.
Need some help creating a functional routine or decluttering your children's toys and craft supplies. Email (thewonderroomny@gmail.com) to schedule an in-person or virtual "Thoughtful Play Spaces" consultation, which is meant to help you evaluate, declutter, and organize your play/ craft spaces to best meet your needs and goals.
The effort is worth it. A more settled or hushed home = a better functioning living space for both the children and the adults