Why Decluttering And Organizing Your Home Is Great For Your Kids

10/13/2016

Written by: Mackenzie Fox

Have you ever moved house and wondered how you ended up with so much stuff? You wouldn’t be the only one with too many belongings. The average home in America is filled with 300,000 items, with one in ten people even renting offsite storage space.

The thing is, most of us own things we simply don’t need. We hold on to things for much longer than necessary because it seems like a waste to throw it away, it’s a way to hold on to the past or just in case you might need it someday.

However, there are several benefits to getting rid of the clutter and getting things organized. Not just so you can live in a nicer environment, but also so you can spend more time with those you love most, and even save yourself some money.

Organizing vs. Decluttering: Is There a Difference?

Actually, there is. While organizing will help you to tidy up your home, it is a temporary measure that requires upkeep. It’s great if you want to make things easily accessible and get your home looking neat and tidy. But how long does it last? Slowly but surely, the mess will once again start to accumulate.

Decluttering your home is the only way to get rid of the mess permanently. Living with less makes it far easier to keep your home looking good. You rarely miss items you’ve given away to your local thrift store while benefiting greatly from less cluttered space.

The Benefits of Both

Making the effort to keep your home tidy provides several advantages. Cleaning and organizing are known to improve your sleep, reduce stress and depression, and can even help you lose weight. But it’s not just good for you – it’s also excellent for your kids.

You have more time for your kids

When you have so many belongings, the mess quickly starts to pile up. That means you spend more time cleaning and tidying up to get the house looking decent. With less stuff, there’s less to clean, which means you have more time to spend with those you love.

Since you will have fewer distractions around you, your kids will get your undivided attention. Getting to spend that quality time with your children is important to help them feel loved and develop a stronger bond.

A more organized space is known to improve your relationships in other ways too since clutter can create conflict and tension. A less stressful environment naturally leads to a calmer and happier household.

It helps you save money

Owning fewer things means you don’t have to spend money on extra storage space. After awhile, you get used to living with less, which means you have less of a desire to buy more stuff and will be more interested in keeping your home looking organized and spacious. You’ll be less tempted to spend money on the things you don’t need, which means you have more cash for other things in life.

Thinking of moving into a bigger home? Keeping a clean and clutter-free home is also an easy way to add value to your home without having actually to invest any money. Just think of the images you see of homes that are for sale – those that are tidy always look more spacious and attractive. Get the highest possible price for you home so that you can afford more and your kids can benefit from living in a bigger and more spacious home.

Fewer toys benefits children

It’s not just adults who have too many belongings. A British study found that the average 10-year-old owns a crazy 238 toys, yet only plays with 12 daily. While you may worry that your kids will miss their old toys, chances are they won’t even notice most are gone.

Better yet, without as many toys your kids will start to become more creative and use their imagination to come up with their own games. They will learn to be more resourceful and find satisfaction outside of the toy store.

Combating the urge to own a bunch of stuff you don’t actually need is well worth the effort. Before you know it, you’ll be living with less, feeling better, and never look back.