Corralling Kid Clutter

What a treat to have the opportunity to listen to Heidi Leonard last Friday speak about containing the kid clutter!  Not that any of us have a problem with kid clutter....but in the event that you do and you missed our last meeting or you weren't able to take notes, here is a summary of some of the great tips from Heidi:

• Limit access to toys - see the link below for a great article that Heid handed out!

Too Many Toys

• Assign toys a home within a zone in your house.  Limit play to one "toy set"" at a time and put away after play.

• Toy Rotation.  Make toys new again by putting them away for a few weeks or swapping with friends. 

• Eliminate/Donate.  Before birthdays or holidays, go through and donate toys that are not being used any longer.  If your child is old enough and can handle the decision, involve them in the process.

• Educate Kids.  Expect your children to clean up.  Heidi recommended reading The Berenstein Bears and the Messy Room.  Explain the toy boundaries (if it causes a fight, the toy gets a time out), set regular clean up times (often helpful to do following a snack or meal), and clean up together! 

• Label and use visual reminders for children.  If you have the ability, put pictures on the front of storage containers so children know what toys are to go in which containers. 

Behavior Chore Chart - Spider Man
Behavior Chore Chart - Cinderella

Heidi also has plenty of articles and free printables on her website for your use as well!

Operation Organization MN


Heidi's Discussion Questions:

1.  Do your children do chores or responsiblity checklists at home?
2.  Share what works in your home.
3.  What is your biggest kid clutter challenge?

Lastly - Heidi shared a poem with us called "Housewife's Prayer" as a reminder that those that have the clutter and the mess, are the lucky ones. 

Thank you dear Lord, For things to do;

Tasks to complete, That are never quite through.

 

Thank you for the laundry, That piles up so fast;

For the tub I just cleaned, Though I know it won’t last.

 

Thanks for the toys,That litter my floor;

For the mud-caked shoes, That sit by the door.

 

Thank you for the fingerprints, On once-cleaned glass;

Thanks for my carpet, Now covered with grass.

 

Thanks for the kitchen, That never stays clean;

For the skillets to scrub,That lay in my sink.

 

These things in my life, Just prove that I’m blessed;

God gave me a family, I can live with the mess.

 

~Sheila Hammock Gosney

And what would a MOPS meeting be without great food??!  This week's spread was provided by Table 3 and was delicious.  Following is the pumpkin bread recipe --- Who can resist pumpkin bread in the fall???

Delicious Pumpkin Bread

from our Mentor Mom, Lisa Glover

 

5 eggs

1 ¼ cups vegetable oil

1 can (15oz) solid pack pumpkin

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

2 packages (3oz each) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix (just the dry mix)

1 teaspoon baking Soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat until smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture. Pour batter into two greased 8in. x 4in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean.