When I decided to minimize my wardrobe back in 2014, I had no idea how much the idea of minimalism would spill over into the rest of our lives. I wouldn’t exactly consider us minimalists at all. I don’t even know if “Minimalism Monday” is the right title for this blog post. We simply like the progress we have made toward acquiring less stuff. And making room for what we have.
Aspiring to minimalism at the same time you are aspiring to be a good parent has to be one of the hardest things. You want your children to have nice things and plenty of options as far as toys and clothes are concerned — but to what end? Many of our homes end up overflowing with trinkets and shoes and books and electronics… that we don’t even get to use! I often feel claustrophobic in Stevie’s room, which is wild considering his room is bigger than mine. Not to mention I only have the one kid!
A couple struggles I have when it comes to his belongings:
1) sentimental items
2) keeping appropriate toys for his level of play vs. his age
3) keeping up with clothes for a boy that grows like a weed
4) time
To overcome these barriers, there’s really only so much I can do, so I just do my best.
Sentimental Items
Stevie’s sentimental items are really more sentimental to me than they are to him. So I have an IKEA storage bag for his school artwork hidden in his closet. When he brings home little projects at the end of each month, I immediately put away 2-3 items I like. The rest get tossed/recycled. If I don’t do it right away, it just piles up (kind of like our mail corner!) The only other sentimental items I find myself hanging onto are handmade baby blankets (stored in the garage for now) and a little bitty sock, diaper, or t-shirt here and there. Those are just in his clothing drawer under the rest of his stuff.
Toys
I only go through Stevie’s toys about once a year. Usually right before his birthday and Christmas, which are just 2 days apart (AAAHHH!) At least Stevie is starting to get the idea that the stuff he isn’t using will go to someone who can appreciate them. That seems to take out the sting of parting with them. He is happy to help me fill up bags of goodies for other kids.
As far as organization goes, we use a lot of IKEA storage in his room. This shelf is used for books, puzzles and games. I like it turned on it’s side because it’s low the ground and accessible to him. These bins are in his closet for train tracks and knick-knacks that he doesn’t use as much. Stuffed animals live in here. We also have storage bins under his bed for Hot Wheels tracks and Legos. My favorite solution has been these rolling carts. We keep his Hot Wheels (so many Hot Wheels) in them. They are easy to move from room to room, as well as cart around when we are cleaning up.
I think the hardest thing for me is knowing what to keep! Because of his developmental delays, a lot of toys he either hasn’t grown into or hasn’t grown out of yet. Or maybe he’ll never end up using them at all! It’s really hard to say.
I actually regret letting go of some of his baby toys, knowing that he would probably enjoy them more now than he did as a toddler. I have been very slow to part with books for this very reason. Turning pages, even in board books, is still hard for his little fingers. But I keep hoping one day he’ll figure it out and enjoy looking at books on his own.
So it does feel like we have a lot of extra, because I’m just not sure where Stevie will end up. I’d hate to donate a bunch of toys only to re-buy them when he’s finally at that level of play.
Clothes
We mostly buy Stevie’s clothes in bulk, so to speak. A few of the same items, same sizes, same brand, in different colors. I just find this to be the easiest system. He’ll grow out of everything around the same time, and then I know it’s time to replace most of it.
I would love to have a more ethical solution to his wardrobe needs, but even paying $50 for a pair of shoes that he grows out of rather quickly seems outrageous. Luckily, the one pair of wide shoes that fit his big old feet do last a long time. Long enough that he doesn’t rip them to shreds before he outgrows them. I have also tried hanging on to certain items to try and sell on Poshmark, but there’s just no time. Most of the good items go in the cousin hand-me-down pile, while the rest get donated to our local Rescue Mission.
Stevie’s dresser seems older than time itself, but it’s really just one that we bought when we first got married. The drawers are a bit wonky and need repairs every now and then, but it does the trick. I’ve recently started folding some of Stevie’s clothes using the KonMari method, and surprisingly, that’s been working out. Even a couple months ago, I don’t think Stevie could’ve picked up one shirt without pulling several of them out, but the past few weeks he’s been doing great.
Time
Obviously the biggest hurdle in any parent’s desire to organize is finding the time. As I mentioned, I only go through Stevie’s toys about once a year and his clothes as he outgrows them. The other organization happens in spurts. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there. Folding laundry once a week. And most importantly, not freaking out if I can’t get it all done or have his room looking like a minimalist’s dream. We just do what we can.
Luckily there are no rules to minimalism. For us, we like to use what we have. For as long as we can. If we don’t use it, we get rid of it. We try to make conscious choices when adding items to our home. And we’re not perfect. But that’s ok. You all know by now that I think perfection is totally overrated anyway.
What issues to you run into with your kids’ stuff? Any other questions about storage or being minimal(ish)? Ask away!
loves,
jaana