How to Keep Clutter Under Control When The Whole Family is Confined at Home
Who would have ever predicted the times that we are living in right now?
Things happened so quickly going from regular daily life to everyone being ordered to stay home.
We all have had to adapt quickly.
Maybe you have gone through long periods of time before having to stay at home. Whether it’s a winter storm or other natural disasters, being prepared means we load up on items to be ready, or we prepared to stay in place for a long period of time.
When families are at home for long periods of time, it can get chaotic around the house. Stuff piles up, not everyone is picking up after themselves, it can add up fast!
Here are some quick tips to help everyone get on board to help save mom’s sanity and keep the peace in challenging times.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 1
Set a specific time for your family to have a quick clean up time. All family members go around the home and pick up what is theirs and get it all to the correct homes. Even 5 minutes can make a world of difference.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 2
Create a list so everyone knows what to do each day. If they know what to expect each day, no one task will be overwhelming for any family member. They don’t have to be big tasks, just ones that keep your home in order from day to day.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 3
Shut the doors to your children’s rooms. Set times that they will clean their rooms and then be ok with the way they clean it up. Keep your stress level down.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 4
Have your family members pick up as they go. I have learned that sometimes it isn’t worth the stress to get everyone on board. Certain times I have learned it is good to expect the help, and certain times it’s better that I choose my battles. When quarantined, it’s better to keep the peace as much as possible.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 5
Ask for help when you need it mom. You don’t have to do everything. Find a balance between doing it yourself and getting help. It can be frustrating when everyone seems blind to the piles accumulating. Finding that balance of just doing it and asking for help will keep our sanity.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 6
Bribery may work. Ask for help and set a timeline. If their mission is completed, then they a reasonable prize. Make s’mores, play a game, movie and popcorn night, whatever your family enjoys.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 7
Younger kids love challenges, like “beat the clock”! You can set a timer and see how fast they can complete the clean up you need help with. Even if it’s just picking up toys, things they left around house, or their bedroom. You could hang a chart to keep track of their time so they can try to best it the next day or score points. Use whatever method of tracking you feel your kids are motivated by.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 8
Create a checklist. People feel good checking stuff off a list. But set a deadline so everyone knows there is an end in sight.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 9
Hold phones and electronics as hostage until the tasks are completed.
QUARANTINE CLUTTER TIP # 10
Use notecards to set specific task for each family member that they are in charge of. They can swap with each other if they prefer a different task, only if you think it may work. No fighting over tasks. You can even set a certain day of the week and time for the task to be done. Larger tasks only one day a week, small tasks are done multiple times a week. Try your best to even it out, or rotate each week.
CONCLUSION
During these difficult times we try to find balance. Balance between helping others and helping ourselves. Balance between having time on our own, and time with family members. Balance between asking for help around the house and doing it on our own without hassle.
It’s all a balance.
That balance is what can keep our sanity during the lock-down and quarantine. Using the sanity saving clutter tips when we are all confined to our home can help our minds stay clear and easier to keep keep. Especially in a time where we are needing to continually wipe down everything.
Have fun with it, extend grace when needed, and lower your expectations.
Stay safe and keep healthy!
Love – Angela
