As a mother of 5 children ages 7 and under keeping a closet full of clothes that still fit and are not torn to pieces/horribly stained can become quite challenging. I routinely go through each article of clothing for all of our children to make sure everything they have is getting use and not just taking up valuable space; especially the closet where all 3 boys share! If we had a 6 bedroom home where each child had their very own closet I would most likely still keep things this simple =). Our boys used to have all types of colorful stripey pants and bold designs on their clothes. The problem for us was these types of clothes only matched certain outfits. So if a shirt was dirty and the the pants clean or the pants ripped but the shirt still intact it would kind of ruin the outfit. About two and half years ago we decided our boys would only wear solid colored clothes. This has helped tremendously and it takes absolutely no time at all to get our kids ready. They can even get their own selves ready without picking out anything mitch match! I know this will not work for every family but this is what works for us =). This solid color only rule does not apply to our daughter and baby because there are just too many cute designs for girls and little babies =).
Then there is the question of how many items of clothing does a child really need. The answer will be different for each family depending on the places they go and how each child plays...lol. We are so blessed in America that most children do not have a problem with getting clothes. There are yard sales with children's clothes for 25 cents and tons of donation centers full of clothes to give to those in need. Family members and friends seem to always be ready to pass down some clothes or buy new ones for birthdays and Christmas. For this reason I have absolutely no reservations about giving, selling, or donating our kids clothes when not in use =).
This is currently what each of our older boys have in their wardrobe. I know the warm up suit has a stripe on the pant leg but the colors are black and white and so it still matches most everything =).
2 pairs of pajamas for each child
4 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of socks
2 t-shirts
4 collared shirts
2 dress shirts
2 ties
1 belt
2 dress pants
2 jeans
2 warm up suits
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of play shoes
1 pair of church shoes
1 pair of tennis shoes
1 winter coat
* I do plan on getting a stock pile of clothes to grow into once yard sale season starts!
Mama Bear's childrens' closet inspires me =)
5 comments:
Hi Kelly
it is so nice to see posts from you, and even as organized as you are, I am not sure how you ever find time to blog, but I am glad you do. I am organized but you inspire me to do even better.
Aw Thank you Rhonda =) I am glad I can be an inspiration to you =) That is what it is all about Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works"
Lots of great advice, thank you. I am trying to get everything put away from Christmas but some things I am just at a loss on what to do with, like the little junk toys people gift to my children, pen and notebook sets and junk like that. I am at the point where I feel like just taking my hand and swiping it all in the trash. I know in all honestly that they probably won't miss it. It is just frustrating, I know people mean well but the clutter is getting to me. Love your blog, especially your posts on organizing!
Jenn I have been there and done that with junk toys! That is such a sensitive thing to do when you know a friend or family member has given something to your child that is really low quality or not something your kids will even play with =(. I usually end up putting it in a yard sale pile or donating it. I always try to show appreciation though by taking a picture of my kids playing with whatever it is they bought them and text messaging it with a "thank you text" before I get it out of our home =) And Thank you I am addicted to organizing =)
Great post, I am very satisfied with this list, I agree with the author's point of view, the child does not need a wardrobe full of clothes, the simpler the better
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