I love decorating. I love things clean and organized. I do not do well with clutter and floors I cannot see. So! Because that is reality, I thought I’d share a real life room with you; my seven year old daughter’s bedroom.

She loves baby dolls, playing ‘Little Mommy’, reading, being ‘Nurse Nancy’, and collecting everything. Since she is learning to read and write, she loves writing and pretending cursive. She recently had a birthday and her aunt got her nail polish and lip gloss. And, dress up is a huge and daily part of her life; from American Indian to princess to pioneer.

THE PROBLEM

I believe one reason things continue to pile up is because everything she wants to do requires many pieces. Each game she plays has parts of everything she loves. In the past, I have had to give her one job at a time to clean. For example, I would tell her to start by putting away all dress up. When that was complete, I’d say she should get her dirty clothes up next. And on it went.

With my boys, it seemed easier to move toys and rotate things (legos, action figures, trucks, tractors). I had attempted this with my daughter’s room, but instead of moving things to the basement in totes, I left them in her closet and added high locks to the louvre doors…. Needless to say, that didn’t work.

So, on this particular day, I decided to clean alone while she and her brothers built a fort in the evergreen trees. They stayed outside without interruption for two hours. I had enough time to clean, sort, and get things back in order.

THE SOLUTION

For this time, anyway, I decided to leave a lot less of her play things in her closet. The wicker hamper holds her dress up. The chest was actually my hope chest that I am saving for her! A lot less damage possibility in her closet than our basement. We store larger puzzles at the top of her closet. I left her hair supplies (round pink basket), her jewelry (small sewing basket), nail polish (clear and green plastic), play baskets, and baby doll effects (large laundry basket). Otherwise, it’s clothing and the grey plastic baskets, which house some mini Legos and aprons.

She’s keeping her dolls upstairs along with pram, high chair, and cribs. The small washstand is empty. And her books are also available.

I made her bed (the quilt was inherited from my Sweet Husband’s great aunt!) and only left pillows atop with her robe on the bed knob. Moved to the basement: all stuffed animals, keyboard, walkie talkies, doctor kit, further collapsible baby swing/high chair, and puzzles. To be open, the basement spare bedroom also houses her play kitchen, including the pots and pans. I moved it down last winter for a fun new play space.

Now, she can ask for a certain item, swap what item is upstairs, and so keep things somewhat cleaner. She obviously still has access to all of her own clothes… which can be its own problem some days. However, I am seeking to keep an eye on things daily so she doesn’t get out of hand and in so doing, overwhelmed. I’m wanting to set her up for success in keeping order.

I have a ‘donation’ bag full! But I am not taking it yet so that just in case there is a cherished piece inside, she can request it. After so long, I’ll take the bag to our local thrift store for other children to enjoy.

What tips do you have for me? I am a toy purger! But I also know that this stage only lasts so long and I don’t want to push my daughter away from childhood joys. I know that too many toys can be its own problem. I hope we’ve found a balance.