Cleaning Playroom and Bedroom

You need to get rid of 30% of it. Three boxes: save, garbage, donate. Then you can start organizing.

I used to have your problem. The thing that helped me was seeing how my son's Kindergarten teacher set up her room (22 kids played every day). She had bins for each category of toys (labeled with a photo and name). Every day they were put back.

Go to Pinterest and search for preschool organization or playroom organization to get a visual of how people organize kids play spaces.

Once you know what to do (categorize toys and put them in the bins) it will help a ton. Make sure storage containers aren't too big and heavy. Something they can handle on their own.

I also want to URGE you to making them clean up every day (with you) so they LEARN how to put things away. Take 3 bins out at a time, not everything. I didn't do this with my firstborn son (now 13) and it's still a challenge. Kids need to get into the habit. He still wants "tuckies" at night because I've always tucked him in. See? So if I had a time machine, I'd teach him (train him, practice every day) to clean up after himself.

My 8.5 yr old daughter is naturally neat and organized, so it's not that hard for her.

Start selecting items and post them on your local Freecycle, or on Craigslist in the "Free" section. That is the only way I am able to stay on top of our excess.

Go through one box a day. When you are done looking through the box, stick a sign on it that says free and put it on the curb. Anything that doesn't "disappear" can be taken to goodwill. But I bet there won't be much (if anything) to take to goodwill.

I still have some stuff in boxes in the attic from when we moved here over 20 years ago!

I haven't looked at them..... haven't even touched them.... I know what is in some of them, and just totally ignore them.....

too overwhelming, I guess...

I totally understand your pain, though.

FLYLADY.net. I started flying and have not looked back. PS if you dont like clutter do not sign up for the emails! Just visit the site for daily chores.

I had the same problem a guest room and a garage stocked the top. I have decided these are three things I will no longer do.

If I want to donate something to goodwill, I put it in my car and drop it off within a week, other wise I throw it away.

If I think someone else will want it. I call or email do you want this , get it out within a week or it goes to goodwill...see above goodwill post.

If I haven't used it in over a year, see 2 post above.

These three things help with clutter.

You take it step by step.

When we moved, I had some things I had not used in a long time and I boxed them up with labels on the outside so I didn't have to open the boxes to see what was inside.

If they sat in the garage or a closet for 6 months and I never opened the box or referred to what was in the box, it went to Goodwill, Salvation Army or the Women's shelter so someone could use it.

If you have boxes in those areas that you have not opened or used.... then take just a 1/2 hr a day or set a goal to go through 1 box a day. Once you are in a routine... step it up and do more.

You will feel SO much better when it is all cleaned out and you have all that new space!! I know it is a pain to look at right now so start in baby steps and get rid of it.

The hardest part is starting the process of removing things you no longer need. I hate junk and clutter so my way of disposing it was the box method.

Some times you have to let things go. I get rid of all dollar store/party favor items within a week (give or take).

I think my kids have the least amount of toys compared to most of my friends' kids and they still have too many in my opinion. We often have the kids give one toy and sell it at the consignment store so they can get a new toy.

I love Good Will especially when I was moving. Sure I gave some nice things away that I could have used one day, but it was worth it to have the space.

It sounds like you don't need items much as they are still boxed in the
room where they landed.
I would make sure there is nothing of value in those boxes then just
donate the whole mess.
Dedicate 30-60 mins one day when hubby is home to just go through &
see then take the box out to the garage or trunk to drive to your local
Goodwill to donate.
Or try to start tackling it by taking one box out to the backyard or living
room when you are playing with your little ones to go through it.
OR to just get through it quickly? Load up the boxes in your hubby's car
& have him drive them to your local place to donate.
JUST DO IT! Now, today. Especially if you are sick of this & it's a huge
project. You'll feel glad that you did.

We moved into our present home three years ago. My son was only four months old and my daughter had to go through three adjustments at time; new brother, new house, new school. I too was quite overwhelmed, my sisters carved out a day in their calendar and came over with a team of four to help me sort. I didn't know how much I needed them until they left, they helped me soooo much. At a later date I hired my nephew (He loves to organize & is really strong) for the day to help relocate things that weren't quite working out where we placed them upon moving in. I would say without that help I would still have boxes sitting in the middle of the rooms. There are boxes we moved directly into the garage that haven't been sorted,but there are things we don't have room in the house for like books we would like to hold onto, craft materials, etc.
Set small achievable tasks/ goals for yourself. If your kids take up most of your daytime, then maybe set some weekend time exclusively for organizing project. Good luck & YOU CAN DO IT!

You get a babysitter for the kids and spend the day or two unpacking one box at a time. You can't do it with kids underfoot so you have to get them gone so you can work.