back to school closets.
So for the last couple of days, we've been taking inventory (of lunchboxes, school bags, alarm clocks, shoes and school clothes) and cleaning out closets. I really love that feeling I get when looking at a freshly organized closet. Sometimes I'll make a little detour from what I'm doing just to randomly go admire them!
So here are our back to school tips for organizing closets, so that you too, can have that I-feel-so-happy-looking-at-this-nicely-organized-closet feeling too.
1. Organize each closet with the closet owner.
2. Have a quick discussion if necessary, about what kind of clothes they can wear to school. I know lots of parents don't care, and honestly I've got no problem with that, but I want my kids to look nice and tidy and put together for school.
Sometimes I have to give in and not buy those really cute casual button down shirts for the boys (they consider anything with that many buttons a "church shirt" and cannot be convinced otherwise) or skirts for Ashlyn (she might like them, but I know will never wear them to school.) But for the most part, I've been lucky and haven't had any battles about clothing. I have a feeling that things will be a-changin' when Ava enters this phase because that girl has got some very strong opinions.
Anyway, back to those tips.
-Does it fit?
If it is too small, put in a "go through later pile."
If it fits, hang it back up in the closet.
-Do you like it?
If the child is not excited about wearing it or you know will be downright grumpy when you suggest to her puting it on, put it in that same "go through later pile."
If they like it and think they will really wear it, hang it back up in the closet.
-Is it presentable?
If it is stained, ripped or has holes and cannot be repurposed, throw it away.
Now all that should be left in the closet are clothes that fit and that the child likes and will wear.
4. Next make the child's back to school wish list. This will include items they definitely need and it will also include things that are needed to make complete outfits. For example, maybe they have a pair of gray leggings that fit them perfectly, but no long tunic-type shirts. I would have them add tunic shirt to the wish list. Maybe they have some cute sleeveless shirts that would work in the fall and winter with a long sleeved shirt underneath. Add long sleeve shirt to the wish list. Maybe they have a pair of striped pants that match nothing. Add "shirt for striped pants" to wish list.
5.Finally, go through that "go through later pile." If there is anything in there that you want to keep for a younger sibling or repurpose in some way, take it out of the pile. Sometimes if Ashlyn has a long sleeved shirt that has holes around the ends of the sleeves, but is otherwise in great condition, I'll just make it into a short-sleeved shirt for Ava. Or if I love the fabric, I might make an applique out of it for another shirt. Give the rest of the pile to your local DI/Goodwill.
If you are an overachiever and want to do a bonus back-to-school activity, you can make an outfit book! The boys have other interests, but Ashlyn and I do this every year! She cuts up a few sheets of paper into fourths and staples them together to make a little "book." Then we put together outfits. On each page of her book, she draws an outfit and writes the clothing items down. Now I realize this activity may not be for everyone. However, if you are the kind of person who makes detours to admire freshly organized cupboards and closets, this one is for you!
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