B is for Brushing Up a Bairn's Bedroom

Bellowing parents, be bolstered.

It is possible to enlist a bairn to brush up his or her own bedroom.

Um, what’s a bairn?

Bairn is a Scottish word, meaning son or daughter – you know, those younger sorts, who don’t want to tidy up their rooms?

How can parents encourage kids to clean up their bedrooms?

Here are five simple steps kids can follow to keep their own spaces in shape.

1. Pick up the pieces.

OK, this is the hardest part of bedroom cleaning. However, if children have easy bins or handy baskets to organize toys and school supplies, the pickup stage can be simple.

2. Clean up the closet.

Tossing clutter onto the closet floor does not count as tidying up. At least every couple of weeks, kids can sort through this area to sort clothes and other possessions.

3. Keep bedding simple.

Let’s face it. Fussy linens are a hassle for grownups, so how much harder are they for younger folks? A comfy cartoon comforter or fun juvenile bedding set is simpler to neaten than blankets and a fancy bedspread.

4. Start high.

Give each youngster a feathery telescoping duster, and make it a game to swoop dirt and lint off ledges, shelves, and other surfaces. Tell little helpers to begin at the top, so dust and debris fall downwards, where they will soon vacuum it up.

5. Pour on the power.

Lots of kids actually enjoy vacuuming, if they are allowed to do it with a safe appliance. Even preschoolers can learn to use a portable hand-held cordless vacuum with adult supervision.

Bedroom cleaning is easy, if families stay with it.

Some parents even offer rewards to kids who keep their rooms in tiptop shape, or to those who perform extra- thorough cleanings. And plenty of youngsters are rewarded amply by the long-lost treasures they may recover, right in their own rooms.

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Putting Away Toys by Phaewilk

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U is for Under-bed Storage

Under my bed hides a multitude of sins. OK, that’s not quite right. Underneath my bed are several conveniently compact storage containers that conceal miscellaneous items of biblical proportions.

That’s more like it.

A large, flat zippered case keeps special-occasion and off-season shoes and sandals dust-free and stashed away.

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Another shallow storage bin holds four pairs of show and schooling breeches for horseback riding.

A third under-bed box keeps uncut fabrics for upcoming sewing projects.

You get the point.

Under-bed storage is one of a home organizer’s best allies. With a draped bedspread or with a pretty bed ruffle placed over the box spring, the area under a bed is virtually invisible. It becomes a perfect place to store secret stashes of potential clutter.

Some folks even select sturdy beds with built-in drawers for added storage and convenience.

Whatever you do, when you visit a host’s home, just don’t look under the bed!

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Last year’s A to Z post: Upbeat Understanding

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Pristine Bedroom

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Hearty Hygiene

Hearty Hygiene

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

H is for Housecleaning.

Who’s ready for some spring cleaning?

Housecleaning may not be a favorite activity for many, but the results are well worth it.

Here comes wonderful spring weather. What a great opportunity to throw open those windows, shake off some dust, and give the whole house a once-over.

Image:

Cleaning Supply Costume Lady

Photo by ChuckP

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Talking 'Bout Trash

Talking 'Bout Trash.

We've done some juggling this week, as we had a small home repair project underway. Of course, this event precipitated some early spring cleaning. There's just something about moving furniture (particularly file cabinets) that seems to light a fire under me to do some sorting.

And sorting usually  leads to discarding (and plenty of dusting).

And discarding leads to multiple bins: file, donate and trash.

Why does a simple chore, such as taking out the trash, elicit so many groans? Sometimes, it just seems easier to perform these tasks myself. (At least, I don't have to pull it to the curb on a bike, like the photographed fellow on a street in China.)

Remember the story of The Little Red Hen? (CTRL-click the link to read a cute rebus of this popular children's story at Enchanted Learning, if you need a refresher.)

Anyway, I tackled larger-than-life dust bunnies with a vengeance. I cleaned out the cupboards better than Old Mother Hubbard. I arranged attire by color and style. I shredded old financial papers like an Oval Office insider. And I sorted those files like nobody's business.

Now, like the hen enjoying her proverbial fresh-baked bread, I am living it up with a clutter-free home and office ... at least for a day or two.

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Let's Not Make a Big To-Do About It, But . . .

Let's Not Make a Big To-Do About It, But . . .

Top Ten Things on My Own To-Do List

My writing docket is overflowing these days, but so is my to-do list. Ah, the joys of self-employment, where everybody knows your name, but not your game. How does the task list seem to grow each day? Here are the top ten things on my to-do list this spring:

Spring Cleaning: The Bedroom Closet

I may be taking a leap of faith here, but we seem to be approaching that glorious time of year. Perhaps next week we will need to stash the heavy woolen sweaters, in favor of tees and tank tops. OK, so I may keep a hoodie or two in the closet, along with a few dress jackets for fancier occasions.

Still, it sure will feel good to tuck those toasty winter togs away for a few months.

Spring Cleaning: The Car

Confession is healthy, right? I must admit, I have a basket of soggy winter hats and gloves in the back of the family car. The next warm day we have, I promise to wash and pack those items. While the car is uncluttered, I might even drag the vacuum outside and whisk away the winter dust and street salt that has collected on the carpet and floor mats.

Spring Cleaning: The Coat Closet

Those arctic parkas are due for a laundering As soon as I'm sure we won't be dragging them out again, I'll tackle that task.

Spring Cleaning: The Computer Hard Drive

Although this is not exactly a seasonal task, as I must do this one fairly frequently, it appears on the spring roster anyway. Perhaps it is time to sort out those old photo and graphics files and delete those that are already uploaded to a safe place.

Maybe a spurt of inspiration will strike, and I will even burn some disks to store more previously published items and clear up a few more bytes.

Spring Cleaning: The Craft Cupboard

Scissors, hole punchers, crayons, markers and other crafty items seem to reproduce on their own in the winter months. This is a well-recorded idiosyncrasy of craft supplies, a true freak occurrence in nature.

The sewing cabinet boasts a similar tale. Fabrics, trims and notions have mysteriously crept out of their appointed areas.

Spring Cleaning: The Freezer

As the ground thaws outside, so must the freezer and fridge be defrosted. Outdated items have got to go. (Of course, we're still speaking of food items only, not anything with God-given facial features.)

Spring Cleaning: The Garage

A set of unbuilt shelves beckons from the garage, along with the electric drill and screwdriver. Who says a woman can’t manage a few power tools?

Spring Cleaning: The Garden Beds

The final dead-heading of fall was preempted by an early snow last year. My green thumb and other fingers are itching to dig in the dirt.

Spring Cleaning: The Kitchen Cabinets

Readers, relax. I have no designs for alphabetizing the contents of my kitchen cupboards. Still, the storage areas could stand a bit of spring organization. Who knows what culinary surprises might lurk behind those soup cans and cereal boxes?

Spring Cleaning: The Office

Ever the bane of the freelance writer, my office calls me to task. Actually, an overabundance of tasks is probably the root of the problem. Financial files, supply receipts, research packets and story starts have all but obliterated my bulletin board and desk space.

Of course, the invoices go out on time, along with the tax receipts. Still, a bit of spring cleaning could do a body and brain a bit of good.

There you have it - my top ten.

Gee, I think I need a nap now.

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