KonMari with Kids

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what's the hype All About?
Clutter and chaos is just part of parenting, right? For a long time, I have felt this way. But, recently, I’ve learned something about myself. I feel more at peace when my home is in order. Granted, this doesn’t happen often. But, I now realize that I yearn for this order and peace, and I may have stumbled upon a method for obtaining just that. KonMari…let me explain.
While I was living with my folks for a few months, my mom mentioned that she was reading an amazing book about cleaning up your home. I laughed and made fun of this notion of any book being “amazing” if it’s entire focus was cleaning. But, my mom persisted in urging me to read it. So, I asked her what was so amazing about it. I remember thinking, “I’m not going to read a whole book about cleaning, so you can just give me a few tips if you think it’s worthwhile.” My mom said that it’s not a book of tips, it’s an entire change in mindset. That’s when I became hooked to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
This book by Marie Kondo is so popular, and her approach has been named the KonMari method. The basic idea is that you go through all of your items in your house and decide if they give you joy. In the end, you are left only with things that bring you joy and each has its dedicated place in your home which provides the benefit of quick and easy clean-up.
Now, I am at the point where I need to find a way to make this work for me and my family. I mean, I have my go-to trick of turning on Mary Poppins’ song, Just a Spoonful of Sugar, which immediately inspires my four-year-old to start picking up (for a limited time). But, now, I need to dig in deeper with this new method. What does KonMari look like for a mom? Marie Kondo has not addressed this in her book. Here is what I’m struggling with:
  • Time? How do I have time to go through everything in my home one thing at a time with three little ones running around?
 
  • How do I determine what brings my children joy? Some items are more obvious than others.
 
  • What about baby stuff? Stuff that the kids have outgrown. I might have another baby…

 

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  • Where do I work? I know I need to focus on one group of items at a time – such as clothes. But, where do I put these clothes? If I throw them all in a pile on my bed, I’ll have three happy munchkins bouncing and swimming in them, and/or secretly running off with and hiding certain articles of clothing for a new game of “Hide and Seek” where mommy’s never let in on the fact that we’re playing a game.

 

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  • How do I occupy my three under five-year-olds while I work? I mean, they love to sit and read their books, but I can also think of times when I’ve returned to the older two after taking my super-human fast shower to find that they are busily completing the world’s biggest pile of “colored papers.” (Here, “colored paper” means one small scribble on an otherwise perfectly clean, white sheet of computer paper.)
 

I want this to be my New Year’s Resolution, but I’m just so worried I can’t take on this big of a task. Help! If you haven’t read this book, please consider grabbing a copy from the library and getting back with me. I need some help brainstorming with other mamas!

 

 

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Mary Beth Camillus
Hey Dayton Moms! I'm a stay-at-home mom of three amazing daughters (ages 3, 2, and 2 months). After earning my Masters in Education at OSU and teaching Kindergarten, substitute teaching, and tutoring ESL students, I quickly realized I needed something more! My own family! I joined eharmony.com and never looked back. My husband lived in Dayton since First Grade, so I have come to know a lot about the area through him and his wonderful family. Since I grew up on a farm, this city life still amazes me. There's so much to do! Don't get me wrong, playing in the creek and woods out back has its own charms, but I'm definitely getting used to the perks of living in Dayton. My faith and family are the most important things to me, yet I am very passionate about education. My focus is early childhood, and I have taken on some self study of the Montessori approach for my children. I have been developing activities for my in-home preschool. Full disclosure: I have a very strong connection with my laminator. My husband knows and respects this -- he doesn't have to like it. Favorite parts about being a mom: Unlimited hugs, daily giggles, and watching my blessings grow.

9 COMMENTS

  1. I finished the book after Christmas, as Santa had put it in my stocking. He must’ve seen my bedroom and knew I needed an intervention! I loved the book and it’s changed my mindset, and I began the process a couple weeks ago. I have four kids six and under and I homeschool, and I’ll just say that the process for me has been SLOW. The kids, especially, have been finding it difficult to let go of some of their things. I’ve heard there’s an Arthur episode that deals with finding joy in your toys, I’m going to look that up on Netflit! But I’m going to keep trucking on! I joined some Facebook support groups which are motivational, and I can wait to find the peace I’m striving for!

    • Ooh! I have to look for that Arthur episode! Sounds useful! I am also looking for Facebook support groups! I LOVE KonMari, but moms definitely can use support. 😉

  2. I just started working with a local organizer that uses this method! At first it was so stressful…until I realized I had gotten rid of 15 bags of trash and donations with ease. Love Less Organization!!!!

  3. Hi Mary Beth,

    Last year I had the same feeling about wanting to “KonMari” my home and knowing I need a support group to reach my goal. I started a FaceBook group for the purpose thinking there might be a couple other moms out there, well there are now thousands of people in the group I started and I am coaching moms to reach their goals. I was an educational coach before I became a mother, I know how to get people to reach goals. I would love to support you in your KonMari journey.

    Happy New Year!

  4. There’s a Facebook group that’s you can join that’s the exact same name as your blog post! I haven’t read the book yet but I hope to soon!

  5. Bummer! I was hoping this post would give solutions, not be asking questions. ;). Let us know what you discover!

  6. I only have one child but something that helped us with going through toys was picking a place to donate the toys. We chose Hanna’s Treasure Chest and it seems to be making the process easier for her because all of her toys bring her joy in her mind. Unfortunately that’s how we ended up like this in the first place. ?

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