Spring Cleaning With Kids: Mission Impossible?

We just changed the clocks and gained an hour, even though it still feels dreary outside.  With warm weather on the way (fingers crossed, of course), it always helps me to get a fresh perspective – you know, clean out the clutter that has slowly piled up while we spent way too much time indoors this winter.  However, while it feels good to do some general spring cleaning, it seems daunting when it comes to the kids’ things.  What can I toss or give away that won’t be missed?  What can be reused or recycled, or just trashed?  This year, I vow to get creative with my clean-up, so here are some ideas to clear out some kid “stuff.”  Then I can concentrate on my own closet, which is a whole other challenge in itself!   

Consider Consignment – The city has a number of amazing consignment shops that specialize in children’s used items, which might be a good option for some big-ticket gear you’re ready to part with.  Others can score a deal on something they need and you can get some cash back.  Some local places worth checking out include The Second Child (954 W. Armitage), wwwkangarookidschicago.com, and www.babiestotsconsignment.com.

Make Donations – Consider donating gently used items to a worthy organization that supports parents and families in your community.  The adage “one person’s trash is another’s treasure” is noticeably true in children, so toys and books that your child has outgrown could be perfect for a child in-need.  I plan to involve my kids in this donation experience, since it’s a great way to show them how giving can really affect others in a positive way.    

Hire a Pro – There are a lot of professionals who offer services to help you organize your home and many of them specialize in kid clutter.  A great way to get a deal on these services and benefit a nonprofit for families is to check out the Neighborhood Parents Network’s annual online auction -- a preview runs now through May 1 at www.biddingforgood.com/npnparents. The sidebar lists a ton of categories to browse, including organizational services under Home Sweet Home. NPN also offer great tips on recycling gear at www.npnparents.org/how-to-recycle-baby-kid-stuff

Happy cleaning!

Carly Ubersox, NPN member and volunteer since 2008, lives in Bucktown with her husband and two daughters.  She is passionate about the whole foods movement and hopes her children’s book, “Phoebe the Foodie,” inspires little ones to love and appreciate fresh, real foods. Follow Phoebe on Facebook.com/phoebethefoodie, Pinterest and Twitter.