Aaaack!
by Teri Brown
love getting emails in response to articles I have written. I've received quite a few since I began this column last fall. Many of them just say thank you for an idea or helpful tip. Others ask me questions such as how to organize your child's room or how to deal with the recycling. Generally, my research comes up with several answers or helpful tips. The topic of this column is one that I have had several emails on and, as it is something I am trying to conquer, I thought I would give it a shot.
Fly Lady calls them the dungeons. Whether you have a basement or a garage they are usually untidy, loaded with the family's discards--all in all an organizational nightmare! Thanks to Fly Lady, I have been tackling my dungeon and have been having some success. Here are some tips to help you turn your garage into a place small children won't get lost in.
If your garage overwhelms you, Fly Lady suggests starting with five minutes at a time. Fifteen minutes is also good if you want to see more results, but don't wish to tackle the whole thing. If you can get the family to help (after all a lot of the stuff belongs to your husband and children) a garage day might almost be fun. Tell the kids that you'll spring for pizza and a movie as a treat for everyone at the end of the day.
Don't keep keepsakes
Have a pile or box for the things you wish to give away or sell and a pile to toss things you no longer wish to keep. Regarding keepsakes--Fly Lady says she doesn't keep them. "I have a few pictures, but hardly any keepsakes that I cannot use and enjoy. They get in my way and they hold me in the past and I am living in the present and looking forward to better more joyful times. No looking back."
I'm not quite there yet. But I did stop and look at what I really needed to keep. A couple of baby outfits were sufficient for memories and take up a lot less room then an entire box. I weeded down my children's artwork to several quality pieces for each age. Plastic totes come in different sizes and are wonderful to store things in as they stack easily. Shelving units come in all shapes and sizes and can be adapted to fit your garage and needs.
Go up the wall
Gardening tools can be hung up or put in a large garbage can. Bikes can also be hung up out of the way. Hang as much sports equipment on the walls as you can. Trust me--the garbage can doesn't work here! My children would toss things out as they searched and then run off to play leaving me the mess. But don't forget--one of the most important things is to maintain the garage and you do that by working on it for five to ten minutes every week.
I think what amazed me the most as we clawed our way deep into the bowels of the garage was just how much junk there was. Even though I made, what felt like, dozens of trips to Goodwill, there was still enough stuff left that I didn't feel comfortable foisting off on anyone that I had to take it to the dump. Three loads worth.
What does that say about our family as consumers? Not very smart. I have become ruthless in examining each purchase for its longevity and usefulness.
Teri Brown is a freelance writer and the homeschooling mother of two. Her
book,
Christian Unschooling: growing your child in the freedom of Christ, is now available.
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