With my son entering junior high, I have been reflecting back to when I was his age.  That can be helpful in understanding someone else's point of view even though a lot has changed since then.  For instance the use of the word "tween".  I think there is more understanding now of the importance of this period as a rite of passage.  Some of these suggestions are general and apply to all of us, others specifically to this age. 

 1.  GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVED.  Don't assume what they want or like.  Make observations and use them as a basis for open-ended questions like "What are your thoughts about how you would like your room to "feel"?"  Get adjectives as well as specifics.  Look at magazines, catalogs and pictures on-line together.  When they like a room, ask them specifically what they like about it?  Is it a color or the feeling of space?  Give them multiple choices but be open to what may surprise you coming out of their mouth.  An most importantly, MAKE IT FUN!!

2.  DECLUTTER AND EDIT.  Go through your child's toys, games and books with them and hear their thoughts about what they are ready to pass on to someone else that needs gently used items and put the items they want to keep safe in a storage bin kept in the attic.  Broken or worn out items should be thrown away.  After sorting through their artwork/school work with them, store their favorites in an appropriate container like a 3 ring binder, portable hanging file folders or under bed containers for larger pieces.    

3.  MAKE ROOM FOR THEIR IMPORTANT "STUFF".  Shelves are a must to display treasures, books, trophies, etc.  Get appropriate storage bins after sorting and categorizing items so they will know where to keep things when not being used.  Show them how to be good stewards by taking care of the things that matter to them.    

4.  EVALUATE THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THEIR ROOM.  What do they need to do in there?  Entertain and play with friends, study, read, as well as get a lot of sleep?  Psychologists recommend not having computers, TVs' or video games in children's bedrooms but in public areas where they will interact more with the rest of the family and you can keep an eye on what they are doing.  Do they need new pieces of furniture or are there pieces that need to come out?   Look around your house with a fresh set of eyes.

 

5.  STICK WITH THEIR THEME. It may be certain colors or hobby or sport.  Keep it simple and remember "less is more".  Too much stuff is overwhelming especially to kids.   

Taylor's Before

You don't have to get rid of everything

Taylor's After

and start from scratch.  This is a transitional age and a lot of what they have can be modified to get them through the rest of their years at home. 

Changing the wall color, art, lamps, rugs, as well as bedding can create a fresh theme for their new life phase.

 

 

  

6.  PERSONALIZE THEIR ROOM.  Kids always love having photos of family, friends and themselves doing things they love around them and if they are the last thing they look at before going to sleep, they go to sleep with those fuzzy feelings.  With identity being such an important factor in this age, it's a great time to update those photos.  Use items that have special family stories or were made for them by a loved one.    

 

7.  GET PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU NEED IT.

• Read ONE YEAR TO AN ORGANIZED LIFE by Regina Leeds  (see side bar) 
• Hire a local professional organizer like LAURA SIMMONS (469-644-4965).
• Hire a professional interior designer to assist you in the process.