Anyone who has been to my home knows that I like things in their place. I find it calming to create order in my home. A peaceful, organized home provides the mental space and energy to be more fluid and spontaneous in my life. An ordered home is also an important element to my approach to parenting.

Children need peaceful, loving environments in which they can explore and play. The openness and calm of an organized home allows one to focus their energy and mindset- whether in the act of play, reading or working. Stress is minimized in the home with ordered surroundings which supports positive family interpersonal interactions. Children are invited to rise to the moment with their best behavior in a peaceful home. They develop a sense of order and meditative expression in the act of tidying.

Orderliness develops good habits for children by encouraging consistency over time and a sense of disciplined action. Cleaning up and regular chores can provide children with a sense of responsibility and routine. They receive a visual outcome for their effort, which makes it easy for them to remain engaged over time. They want a clean home just as much as you do. They feel a sense of pride welcoming others into their space.

Children learn to treat our families’ belongings with respect. The habit of tidying gives children a sense of contribution to their family — to their larger community. It can build a sense of family cohesion and unity in working together toward a shared goal. When everything has it’s place, each family member knows where to find it. An organized playroom in which each toy has its place provides the entire family with the same understanding of when the room is “clean.”

The goal of an organized, tidy home may feel like a lofty goal when you have little ones running around. Especially if you have a smaller home or apartment, it can be challenging to create a sense of calm. A couple ideas to help you in your efforts:

• Be selective in what you bring into your home. You can live with far fewer things than you might imagine. (And your kids don’t a lot of toys.) William Morris’ words ring true for me: “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
• Spend a few minutes (10 minutes) tidying each evening before going to bed. An orderly home can set the tone for a centered day.
• Have your children (even toddlers!) participate in the clean-up efforts – whether making their beds, wiping tables or putting toys away, children can help.
• Sort similar items into a single area (one stack of papers to be actioned, snacks in one spot in the pantry, puzzles and games in one corner of the playroom).
• Do not have toys littered throughout your house- pick one toy storage area on each floor of your home.
• Have a laundry basket ready to hold items that need to be carried up/down the stairs.

Providing your children with an organized, peaceful home is well worth the time and continued focus. You will be raising children who not only feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to their community, but also value finding moments and places to quiet and calm their heart and surroundings.