I’ve talked about baby clutter before so pardon me if I’ll talk about it again. My friends have told me to just chill when it comes to baby clutter. Some days the little boy throws his cars and blocks around and I’m like, “Oh yeah I’m a chill Mom, I’ll fix it later.” Then there are days when I have the energy to sing a song to motivate the toddler to clean. “Tidy up! *whistle whistle* Tidy up!,” I sing, sing, sing. Sometimes it works, most times it doesn’t. He often takes the song as a cue to happily throw stuff around some more. Wee! Mommy’s singing! It’s playtime! *play play, clutter clutter, dance, dance, wee!*
Most days I can’t stand a single thing out of place. He spills a basket of toys, I clean it up right away. He pulls toys out of his shelf, I put them back as soon as he starts moving on to the next room. Why is that when I’m feeling most meticulous that the the toddler is most clutter-happy?
Here are some tips that worked for me on organizing kiddie clutter. Let me know if it works for you too!
1. Cluster the clutter.
In our room, we have a designated spot for toy cars, for books, for balls. It’s far from being a candidate for a feature in a home magazine, but at least I’m trying to clear space floor for us to walk on. Yeah yeah, I know it’s still clutter but at least the clusters give the semblance of an organized room.
2. Put a basket in every room.
Then there are times that I’m too tired to put the clutter back in their proper place. My husband doesn’t like coming home to a messy room, and I don’t like waking up to a huge mess. That’s where the handy basket comes in! Just scoop all the toys into the basket and ta-da! Instant clutter-free room. You can do this in 5 minutes.
3. Clean up when he naps.
This is my technique now and it seems to work. That is if I don’t nap along with him.
4. Have your toddler help you.
This is fun when it works, but it’s a slow burn. Timmy now knows where to put back his cars when he’s done, but other than that we’re still getting there. You need super patience for this one!
5. Play in a tent.
Toddlers love having their own little coves. I like this tent because three sides are see-through. While he’s playing with his rings and toys inside, I can supervise. The toys are also kept inside the tent so whew, less clutter outside.
6. I know, I know: Just relax.
On some days, for as long as you don’t lose the baby in the clutter, it’s fine. Haha!
There will be headache-inducing, cluttery days, but not everyday is like that! Sometimes the little one is on neat mode and everything is fine and dandy in playland.
Until he rediscovers the joy of playing and leavings toys around the room. But that’s fine, because by then I’ve recharged my batteries and am back to decluttering mode, or chilling out mode, depending on what kind of day it is.
How’s your EQ when it comes to kiddie clutter? Are you more of the “laid back, we’ll fix it later” type or the “we have to clean up ASAP!” type?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
karen
August 22, 2011 at 12:50 pm (13 years ago)haha. i love #6.
Faye
August 22, 2011 at 1:22 pm (13 years ago)I’m the laid back type while my husband is the clean up ASAP type. Hahaha. But of course, you know who wins every time an argument comes up. Hehe. I’ve really learned to live with the clutter. And usually, it’s the kid who packs them all away when she’s done so why really bother myself with clean up when she can do it on her own.
Usually we just tell her the toys need to rest so she has to put them all to sleep. Mabait naman. She usually obliges!
Cel
August 22, 2011 at 3:33 pm (13 years ago)Ah, will keep this in mind. My baby’s due anytime! 😀
kaoko
August 22, 2011 at 4:00 pm (13 years ago)Paano kung adult yung ma-clutter? <— guilty 😛
Girlash
August 22, 2011 at 4:56 pm (13 years ago)We really can’t keep up with the clutter. But I agree with #4 and 100% with #6 LOL When my little 1 was a toddler, we just cleaned-up at the end of the day and it helped that I asked him to help. Kids sometimes just like to be part of something. And then I sent him to play school where they are taught to “clean-up” after playing which worked at home too! Now, if I can only send the hubby to play school as well…. 😀
upto6only
August 22, 2011 at 11:47 pm (13 years ago)oh my i’m both ” a laid bacl” or ‘will have to clean up ASAP” hehehe depends on my mood for the day
sheng
August 23, 2011 at 5:15 am (13 years ago)That’s what mothers are for, wait till they he gets older, hehehe.
chizbun
August 23, 2011 at 8:27 am (13 years ago)I’m so OC about my babies’ stuff, specially with toys that have small parts. I can’t help counting parts/stuff to make sure they are complete (eg: bucket sorter – I really have to sort things out pa just to make sure they are complete; stacking cups, etc) sayang naman if magkulang di ba? Sometimes, the girls just love to stay in the playpen with their toys, but most of the time, the big Ate wants to play in our room and throw stuff around. I find toys in the most unusual places!But I must admit, baby clutter is still fun.
Kay
August 23, 2011 at 11:56 am (13 years ago)I’m basically good with the clutter … my mom is a different story LOL
The Average Jane
August 23, 2011 at 5:10 pm (13 years ago)So cute. But I agree, there are just some days when you want a clean house. Hehehe! Its never too early to start teaching the little one to clean up though. We taught my nephew to tidy up his stuff when he reached his 1st year and he could understand us a bit. We turned it into a game so he wouldn’t mind the chore. =)
http://www.theaveragejane00900.blogspot.com
bursky
August 23, 2011 at 6:59 pm (13 years ago)my pamangkins are afraid of me. masyado yatang nakakatakot boses ko. 😛 ahehe… they obey naman most of the time but i employ the “playing while tidying up” technique. doesn’t work every time but i think i’m getting through… lalo na if there’s a chocnut reward for cleaning up their mess. 😛 haha!
Susan
August 23, 2011 at 11:31 pm (13 years ago)Love the tent idea! What works for us is the clean up song that Sophie learnt in school. Of course there are days when she still needs some cajoling before she’s willing to pack away her things.
Having a designated corner for all her toys is also helpful so she’ll know where to pack them to.
Gene
August 24, 2011 at 8:16 pm (13 years ago)I’m more of a laid back mom when it comes to clutter. With my hyper toddler, I will just stress myself over and over again if I keep on picking up her toys. Except when she would accidentally step on it, that’s the time that I’ll tell her to put away her toys.
I want that kiddie tent pero wala na kaming extra space kapag nilagyan pa ng tent ang room. hehehe
Jo Green
August 26, 2011 at 1:29 am (13 years ago)It can be hard not to feel like your picking up after them all day! I really like the basket idea. Maybe even one of those fancier baskets that go with your decor?
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:55 pm (13 years ago)Karen: How do kids find their way in the smallest of places?!
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:56 pm (13 years ago)Faye: My husband is the clean up asap type also! Hahaha. He’s more irritated with clutter than I am. Bait naman ng daughter mo!
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:56 pm (13 years ago)Cel: Oh you won’t have to worry about this for another two years 😉
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:57 pm (13 years ago)kaoko: Si H ma-clutter, pero he’s the “cluster your clutter” type. Hahaha, clutter pa rin! Ako naman my clutter is limited to my work desk. So there’s one corner in the room that’s piled up with books and papers. At least it’s not all over the place!
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:58 pm (13 years ago)Girlash: Hahahaha hubby needs more training? The kids could teach him!
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:59 pm (13 years ago)upto6only: Exactly! Depends on which side of the bed I got up on also. Haha!
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 1:59 pm (13 years ago)sheng: Yikes. Dapat ata monthly ang pag-purge ng clutter.
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:01 pm (13 years ago)chizbun: I wish I had your energy to be just as OC! Haha. I’m usually OC but now am finding I’m too tired to be such.
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:01 pm (13 years ago)Kay: Hahaha, oh well, what’s the saying? “There can only be one queen!”
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:02 pm (13 years ago)The Average Jane: Wow, good for your nephew! The game doesn’t work with my son. Ack! Have to think of more creative tidy up techniques.
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm (13 years ago)bursky: Reward! Nice. Try ko nga yan 😀
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm (13 years ago)Susan: I really need to find an effective clean-up song. Care to share Sophie’s?
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:04 pm (13 years ago)Gene: I also clear clutter right away because I’m scared he might slip on them! Yikes.
Toni
August 27, 2011 at 2:05 pm (13 years ago)Jo Green: I like that idea! Baskets that go with the decor. Will keep that in mind next time we go shopping. Thank you!
Nannie
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