Kids

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How to Organize and Store Your Kids' Artwork

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Summer is almost over, and if your household is anything like ours, you've been buried under a mountain of arts and crafts projects all season long. And guess what? The school year is just around the corner! Which means even more masterpieces are about to flood in the door. If your little artists have been flexing their creative muscles, it's time to think about how to showcase their incredible work! While the fridge door with its trusty magnets is a classic, let's explore 5 other fun and creative ways to display your kids' artwork around the house. Celebrate creativity and bring a splash of color into your home by showing off your kids’ imaginations through their art!

Art Gallery Wall

Is there a small room, closet, or even a blank wall in your home that you just can’t figure out how to make interesting? This is the perfect opportunity to create a gallery wall featuring your child’s artwork. This might sound simple, but it can be an adorable and rewarding project for both you and your little one!

Picture it like this: Each frame on the wall holds a unique piece of your child's creativity, from adorable finger paintings to vibrant crayon masterpieces. Every so often, you and your budding artist can host a mini "gallery opening" where you swap out old pieces for new ones. This ritual keeps the space looking fresh and exciting, and it instills a sense of pride and accomplishment in your child.

This method will make your child feel like a true artist, seeing their work displayed prominently and celebrated in your home. This might be one of my favorite methods of displaying your child’s artwork because it's not just about decorating a wall; it's about creating a space that honors their creativity and growth.

So, take that blank wall and turn it into a dynamic, ever-evolving gallery that showcases your child's imagination and talent. It's a beautiful way to make use of an otherwise overlooked space, bringing color, joy, and a personal touch to your home.

If you are considering making an art gallery wall in your home, check out this blog post by Jessica Brigham for an in-depth tutorial!

Storage Frame

But the magic doesn’t stop there. One of my favorite products for displaying kids’ artwork is these frames. These ingenious frames open from the front, making it a breeze to add and remove artwork. Imagine when your child comes home from school with a brand-new painting, bursting with excitement to show you. Within minutes, it's proudly displayed on the ‘art gallery’ wall, front and center. Even better, these frames are designed to hold multiple pieces of art, so the older ones don’t get lost—they're just waiting at the back for their turn on display again. 

One week, your living room might be filled with springtime flowers and sunshine, and the next, it’s a collection of spooky Halloween scenes. This constant rotation keeps your home vibrant and your child engaged, always excited to see their latest creation displayed for everyone to admire. Rotating art frames not only simplify the process of showcasing your child’s masterpieces but also celebrate their ongoing creativity. It's a dynamic way to honor their artistic journey, providing a beautiful and ever-changing gallery that reflects their growth and imagination. If you can’t tell by now, these are a Help You Dwell favorite and can be found on our Amazon Storefront!

Wire and Clips

Think back to your college days when hanging photos with clothespins and fairy lights was all the rage. Now, you're channeling that same carefree, creative vibe but with your kid’s artwork. Use a sturdy wire stretched across the wall, and adorn it with colorful clothespins holding the latest drawings, collages, and paintings. This setup transforms any playroom or bedroom into a whimsical gallery of imagination and color!

The playful and dynamic nature of this display adds a touch of magic to your home. It's not just about showcasing the art; it's about creating an interactive and evolving gallery. The best part? Your kids can easily switch out the art themselves. This setup also encourages your children to engage with their artwork in a new way. They get to be both the artist and the curator, deciding which masterpiece deserves the spotlight!

This method of displaying art is not only fun and interactive but also practical. It keeps the artwork organized and off the floor, while still being easily accessible. Plus, it adds a charming, personal touch to your home decor, making the space feel lively and unique. So, grab some wire, colorful clothespins, and start creating your own whimsical art display. It's a simple, affordable way to celebrate your child’s creativity and bring a joyful, ever-changing gallery into your home.

If you’re not the type to DIY, here is an awesome product that comes with clips to easily hang art. This picture rail is perfect for displaying family photos, polaroids, and, most importantly, your children's art. This kit includes 6 metal wire ropes, 2 wide rails, and 48 magnetic clips, creating a sleek and modern look. It's sturdy and versatile, making it great for home, office, or even a classroom. With easy mounting instructions and all necessary hardware included, your new display unit will be ready in minutes!

Custom Photo Book

If you don’t want to display the artwork, you can create a beautiful keepsake of your child’s artwork. Every year, you and your kids can sit down together to create a custom book filled with their best artwork. This annual tradition becomes a delightful trip down memory lane as you flip through pages of colorful creations and reminisce about the stories behind each piece. Each book is a vibrant testament to their artistic journey, capturing the evolution of their creativity year by year.

These custom photo books not only make wonderful keepsakes but also help manage the physical clutter of saved artwork. Instead of struggling to find space for every drawing and painting, you can preserve the most memorable pieces in a beautifully organized and compact format. Imagine a bookshelf lined with these precious books, each one a snapshot of a different stage in your child's artistic development.

Creating these books can even turn into a cherished family tradition. As you gather around the table, your kids can select their favorite pieces, recalling the moments and inspiration behind each one. This shared activity will create lasting memories, making the process as meaningful as the finished product!

A photo book like this becomes more than just collections of art; they become time capsules of your child's growth and imagination. So, make this tradition a part of your family’s routine. Gather your kids, sort through their artwork, and create a custom photo book each year. It’s a simple, heartfelt way to celebrate their creativity and preserve the precious memories of their artistic journey.

Personalized Art Boxes

Creating a separate art box for each of your children is both a practical and sentimental way to store all of their creations. These clear plastic bins offer an excellent solution for organizing and preserving their masterpieces. Each child having their own box makes it easy to keep track of individual artworks, and the transparent nature of the bins allows for quick and easy access. They can be neatly stacked or stored away when not in use, helping to manage the clutter efficiently.

In my opinion, this system is the best and easiest way to not only manage the clutter but also gives each child a special place for their art. For an added fun twist, have each child decorate their box with colorful letters spelling their name on the outside. This adds a personal touch and makes the boxes even more special!

These bins are also perfect for storing larger or more delicate pieces that might not fit in a photo book, ensuring that every cherished artwork has its place. With personalized art boxes, every drawing, painting, and sculpture is preserved.

Organizing Kids’ Spaces with Help You Dwell

If you’re looking for more innovative ways to manage and celebrate your child's creativity, be sure to check out our Kids’ Spaces Guide. This comprehensive guide is packed with tips and ideas for organizing kids' spaces throughout your home. From creating art galleries and custom photo books to designing functional and fun play areas, we cover it all. Our guide will help you transform cluttered areas into organized, inspiring environments that foster creativity and joy. Click here to purchase your copy and start turning your home into a beautifully organized haven for your little ones today!

Please note that when you use our Amazon storefront affiliate links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!

A Haven for Learning

Back to school ads have started to run and stores are stocking their shelves with shiny folders and brand-new backpacks. Pencil boxes and packages of perfect, unbroken crayons are being snatched up as school supply lists get posted on schools’ websites. Kids and teachers are beginning to anticipate the start of school within the next few weeks, and the dog days of summer are in full swing. But for some, back to school doesn’t mean what it used to.

There’s no denying that education has changed over the past few years. During 2020, millions of students learned from home via computers and virtual classrooms. Learning looked quite different. Many even discovered the joy of learning from home and realized the flexibility it allowed. Serval other reasons parents have chosen homeschooling are because they want to provide a safe learning environment, they are frustrated with the current academic system and expectations, and often, religion also plays a part in the decision to homeschool. Whatever the reasons, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of students who are homeschooled. According to the Census Bureau data, nearly 4.4 million school-age children in the US receive an education at home today.

Homeschooling looks quite different than it did years ago. There are co-ops, more opportunities for students to take classes for college credit, large networks for support, and more social interaction for students thanks to online clubs, classes, and even local field trips. If homeschool is something you are considering for your family or even something you’re already involved in but are overwhelmed by, we want to help! Even if you aren’t a part of a homeschool group and your child is in a traditional school setting, we have some great ideas to help every learner thrive at home.

  1. Be Thoughtful About the Space: Setting up a space for learning can be done in a variety of ways. You don’t have to have a dedicated room-be flexible! You could use the corner of a room or even the dining room table if that is what works best for your family. It’s also important to know your child’s learning style. This will help in how you set up your learning space and plan your day. You learner will need a table or desk to do work, If your student is younger, you are also going to want to make sure they have appropriate seating options as that is crucial for proper posture for good handwriting and learning fine motor skills. Try to make sure there is some good natural light and access to wi-fi. If the space is near a busy part of your home, noise cancelling headphones may be good for students who are easily distracted.

  2. Add Items to Serve Needs: It’s great if you have an entire room dedicated to homework or at home learning, but most people do not. If your child’s study space is also a space that is used by the rest of the family, you need to make sure you have a place for all their school “stuff.” Think outside the box. Maybe you have an empty drawer in your china hutch-use that for storing school supplies. Go to garage sales or thrift stores and look for furniture like old armoires you could repurpose. Clean out the hall closet and let that be where you store school items in storage bins. Being able to put items away and out of sight when you’re done with learning time is key. You want to make sure you have a dedicated drawer, bin, crate, etc. for each individual child’s workbooks/textbooks. Some homeschool mamas I’ve talked to even suggested assigning each child their own color to cut down on confusion.

  3. Create a Command Center: Use some wall space or the inside of a cabinet door that can be opened to post a schedule and calendar with due dates and upcoming events. As a former teacher of 20 years, I always found it beneficial for students to know what the week was going to look like, and for older kids, seeing an outline of the month can be helpful. Make sure there is a clock in the room, and younger students will need some type of dry-erase board or even a chalkboard painted onto the wall for teaching/practicing certain skills. You’ll need a place for students to turn in completed work (if it isn’t digital) as well as a place for supplies. Students need to have things like markers, crayons, pencils, pens, paper, etc. all readily available and in clearly labeled spots with easy access. This could even be a cart! Make sure you have some dedicated space in that command center for electronics storage and charging as well.

  4. Stay Organized: Establish routines and daily clean-up habits from the start. Yes, if you are homeschooling your schedule doesn’t have to be as rigid as a typical school, but your student needs a set routine so they know what to anticipate each day. You will also want to make sure your student knows where things go and how to clean up well at the end of their learning time. Practice this with them each day until it becomes a habit!

  5. Get Creative: School and studying doesn’t always have to be at a desk. Take class outside on days that it is nice, bring bean bags or comfy chairs into the space to create a cozy corner for reading, or have history class at a museum! School should be FUN.

When working through the homeschooling journey it is important to be flexible. If this is new for your family, you will need to really pay attention to your family’s natural rhythms to see how you might need to adjust your schedule and routines. There’s no right or wrong way to do it; you certainly need to find what works best for your family. All children can thrive and succeed!

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Cuteness Overload: Organizing Baby Clothes

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Let me start by saying, I’m no expert. I’m actually new at this. But I’ve learned a few things that have helped me maintain order in our home, my shopping cart, and my brain while welcoming our first little one into our home.

The months leading up to our first little one’s arrival were filled with anticipation, excitement, and lots of nesting. I love to be prepared. So, all the gender neutral baby clothes were washed and folded multiple times. I rearranged the dresser drawers. We waited for Millie’s arrival to find out gender. One fun thing about that surprise is that it prevents well meaning friends and family from buying too many gender specific clothing items. I sorted onesies and outfits by size and season and any other way possible. Because it was fun for me! I realize this isn’t everyone’s jam- but I think I found a sense of calm and peace in preparing our space. If this isn’t how you’re wired, you might consider calling HYD because we have a number of experienced mamas on our team who LOVE doing this sort of thing.

Now that Millie is here - I admit going a little overboard when it comes to all the little girl things (I also blame my mom and friends for this- just kidding, thanks for all the sweet newborn items that we ooh’d and aah’d over for the first few weeks). Floral bubbles, dainty little onesies, hats and accessories - there really is no end to the cuteness.

Photo from Ella the Midwife blog.

  • But is it all necessary?

  • And how do I begin now to create good habits and boundaries regarding consumerism and spending money?

  • Can I sustainably create a collection of intentionally chosen and well cared for items?

A few things I’ve learned:

Remember, I’m only 3 months in so I am SURE I have a lot more to learn!

BORROW

I have loved getting to dress our little girl in clothing that friends of ours have used before. It feels special and meaningful to watch an outfit carry so many stories and adventures that we all share. There are lots of Facebook groups dedicated to being communally minded and sharing no longer needed items (ask us about these if you’re interested). Start a text with work friends, neighbors, or family members who have kiddos around the same age as your own. You can be a resource to each other instead of spending zillions of dollars at Target. I’ve found that I’ve been more mindful of caring well for borrowed items, in hopes of returning them as good as I received them.

Millie, my mom & I going through a box of hand-me-down little girl clothes from my cousins wife!

BUY USED

It may take a little more time, but the hunt can be fun. There are some great thrift stores, online marketplaces (Poshmark and Kidizen), and consignment shops (The Adorable Child and Once Upon a Child- West Knoxville location and Fountain City Location) overflowing with barely used baby & kid items. Make sure to check the condition of items as best you can before purchasing used. If your little one has sensitive skin or allergies, be sure to ask about what detergent has been used on clothing and whether or not the items are coming from a smoke-free and pet-free home. When shopping at a thrift store, be sure to check the diaper area & neck for stains and make sure buttons, zippers, or snaps work properly. I’m not suggesting to ONLY buy used baby clothing and accessories, but buying EVERYTHING new can be costly. So make a decision about a few special pieces that are important to buy new, and challenge yourself to find the rest previously loved. I’ve found that you can find used baby clothes in GREAT condition due to the nature of how quickly babies grow out of their clothes. Think ahead to what season/time of year your little one will likely be in the next size and search for those items ahead of time.

BE SELECTIVE

Have standards for what you decide to keep (as a keepsake or for future children) and what you purchase. If you find that a particular brand fits your little one best- stick with it. Pay attention to the fit and specific type of buttons, closures, or zippers you like. This makes the middle of the night diaper change just a little more bearable. Buy from stores and brands you can afford, and if there’s something pricy you are on the hunt for- search Poshmark or Kidizen instead of paying full price. You may find yourself attaching certain sentimental value to an outfit- consider printing a photo of your little one in that outfit if keeping it isn’t 100% necessary. Make a conscious decision about how much you will keep by using a designated amount of space or number of boxes/bins. Maybe 1 under the bed bin is the perfect storage piece for you. Maybe 2-3 diaper boxes is what you feel good about. Whatever your limit is - decide and stick to it. Your future self will thank you. Create parameters by using drawer organizers and hangers (we like these & these). If you run out of hangers, you may need to cycle a few clothing items out. If the drawers won’t shut, it’s time to evaluate what you have stuffed inside. We highly recommend file folding baby clothes (excluding nicer items that are hung up) to save space and make all pieces of clothing visible.

Very early days of collecting baby clothes for baby Martin. I highly recommend these drawer organizers!

IN AND OUT

Keep your empty diaper boxes. Use one empty one to fill as your little one grows out of things (that are either taken to a friend with little ones younger than yours, thrift store, or consignment shop). And fill another with items you’ve found, bought, or been loaned to use in the next size up. Be sure to label these to avoid confusion. I recommend keeping them in the bottom of baby’s closet (or maybe in your laundry room or garage if you don’t have space in your baby’s room) for ease of finding what you need and making quick action on what you are letting go of or packing away to store. If you prefer clear storage bins- we recommend these. Whichever box or bin you are decide to use, be sure to clearly label them. Utilizing these hanging clothes size tags can make it simple to see what clothes are too small and what section of clothing will your little one be wearing next.

A FEW PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND

*The product links in this post are affiliate links, simply meaning we may receive a small commission from your purchase. Thanks for trusting us!

 

What are your best baby organizing tips?
We’d love to hear any success stories or tips we can share with our followers.

If you have a friend or family member who does not LOVE organizing or who simply doesn’t have the time to nest the way they would like to- reach out to us! Our team of hardworking and compassionate women is ready to help. We can help create a plan, sort through clothing, and implement new systems for sustaining organization.

Call 865.245.9080 or Email info@helpyoudwell.com

MORE BLOGS TO ENJOY

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10 Ways to Display Kids Artwork

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10 Ways to Display Kids Artwork

We recently heard a neighbor friend say that her quarantine home looks like “a craft store exploded inside.” Can any of you with small kids else relate?? So, what should we do with all those newly created art masterpieces from our kiddos? We want to celebrate all their little creations!

Instead of just stashing all their art in a folder or adding it to "the pile," here are 10 creative & manageable ways to bring some color into your home, celebrate the seasons, & show off your kids' imagination through art.

 

1. Use tacks on a wall that's not front and central in your home.

How to Display Kids Artwork

So this first one's not rocket science, but it's what works in our home. Our laundry room is on the main level & has gray walls so the art can really pop! I (or my kids) just rotate their art 2-3 times a year in this room leaving tiny holes from the tacks. The way I look it, when the art stops coming home someday, I'll be ready to repaint the room anyway, but until then, I get to be reminded of these little people I love so much while I'm trying to find that missing sock or checking their pockets before they hit the washer. 

Try these Push Pin Clips

 

2. Thrift frames with glass removed and cork board added.

This is a great option for a more polished look that keeps it super easy to rotate art. Shannon Makes Stuff has great images for ideas. Let the kids have another art project by painting the frames themselves.

Try this cork board.

 

3. Have Simply Create Kids create a collage poster of your child's art.

This option is a bit more pricey, but well worth the money to have one piece that speaks for many. My kids would love how professional this art display would make their art look.

 

4. Create vertical art on a string.

The folks at Artful-Kids used a hanging wire to display art vertically allowing for easy rotation. This is a great option if you're short on wall space.

Use this Hanging Picture Display Holder.

 

5. Use inexpensive IKEA frames in the color that work for your space.

We love how Amanda Medlin created this wall for her boys' room with multicolored frames, but all white or all black frames would be another great option to showcase your child's art.

 

6. Clothespins are great for art display.

Aimee of It'sOverflowing.com has a great DIY plan to create a fun clothespin line for your kids to be able to change their own art with ease. HYD helped a client design one similar to this last year & it was a huge hit with their four kids.

Try these mini clothes pins.

 

7. ArtKive it by photographing your child's art with your smartphone.

This is brilliant. ArtKive has designed an app that allows you to photograph the artwork, upload it, and then turn it into books, gifts, or keepsakes.

 

8. Mount clipboards to the wall.

HYD loves reclaimed wood projects. These from Old House to New Home are some of our favs. Of course, you could use lots of different styles of clipboards that work best for your space.

 

9. Professionally frame special holiday pieces.

David Alley 1983

My thoughtful mother decided to pick a couple of my brother's & my best Christmas creations. My brother's is a Santa with no arms, he's a beauty. I did a lovely manger scene that brings back memories but doesn't come close to the fine artistic ability of my brother. It's been over 30 years since we created them & every year, we reminisce & poke fun at each other when mom hangs them. I love them!

 

10. Keep it simple with a line of twine.

Nothing too fancy here. Just find a color of twine or string that works for your space & use clothespins, paper clips, or even colorful hair clips to hang the art. The image above is our favorite using the spools as the anchors to hang. I have a friend who uses the twine method above her kitchen sink with smaller art pieces & it's so cute. She uses her childs' art in lieu of a curtain valance.

Get some twine here.

 

We hope you find these ideas helpful!

Do you have an art wall that works in your house? We'd love to hear how you're showing off your kids' art.

 

Read some more helpful blogs dwelling well with kiddos!

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5 Tips for the Back to School Routine

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One thing I love about a new school year is, it’s new. We begin the year with all As, we get fresh notebooks, new teachers, and get to start again. It’s also a great time to adopt a few new habits surrounding the school routine to help stay on top of the schedule, the clutter, the schoolwork, and to encourage your kids to have their best year yet. We’ve compiled a few tips to get your year off on the right foot!

5 Tips to Streamline the Back to School Routine!

Image: Magnolia

Image: Magnolia

1 . An Established Landing Space

This will look different in every home, entirely dependent on your home’s layout. This is an area that should be relatively close to the entry and exit point used each morning. Landing spaces can be useful to collect bookbags and store to-do baskets. Think of this as the command center of the morning on the way out the door. Check out this blog by Joanna Gaines for tips on how locker baskets can be used in your landing space!

 

2 . Routine Checklists for the Littles

Printable checklists ( laminated or put behind a glass for use with a dry erase ) can be so helpful to guide littles along their new morning routines, this gives them a sense of ownership of their morning and you can still be directly involved to keep them on track.


*We’ve created these two printable options as a framework to your morning routine!

 

3. Streamlined Schedules for the Big Kids

For kiddos that aren’t exactly kiddos anymore, a virtual approach could keep the entire family on board the same ship! Google calendar app can be a great option for synchronizing sports schedules, events, and the heavier after school schedule that the teen sports/club years can come with.

Another option is a centralized large chalkboard or dry erase calendar in the home. This is a great addition to the landing space or command center and can be a great reminder when headed in or out the door each day. There are definitely pros and cons to each calendaring options, find what works best for your people.

 

4 . Art & Schoolwork Management

A great habit to adopt for school work brought home is “touch it once!” If the assignment is a worksheet or test from class that has no emotional connection to your child, and your child is ready to let go, after acknowledgment of their efforts and skill they now have by doing the practice, it goes to the recycle bin immediately.
As for artwork, a great rule of thumb for what to keep is to see if you can see the unique work of your own child in each piece. Once that decision is made, a clear Rubbermaid tote with your child’s name and school year(s) can be used if originals want to be kept.
Another option we love is ARTKIVE. ARTKIVE lets you send in all the originals to be professionally photographed and bound into a hardback book or a framed piece!

 

5 . Designated Homework Areas

This can be such a stress reliever in many ways encouraging productivity, organization, and quality of work. Establishing a homework zone can communicate the same thing to a child as “going to the office” can for an adult. You set the tone for their work flow and focus by designating study areas. This can be as simple as a lazy susan with cups of supplies easily moved to the middle of a table, or as established as a study nook in the home. Wherever the investment, the reward will be worth it!  

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Start 'em young

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Taryn with Kate, Will, and Eli Ruth // 2008

Taryn with Kate, Will, and Eli Ruth // 2008

I became a mom with very few plans in place for how I’d spend time with my child or children, how I envisioned my home being set up for little ones, or how many kids I wanted to have. I’d always hoped to be a mom. I just didn’t really have specific ideas of exactly how that might go down. Almost 17 years into motherhood, and 3 amazing kids later, I am both thankful for that somewhat clueless beginning and at the same time, a bit regretful that I wasn’t more intentional.

Image: Texture Photo // 2018

Image: Texture Photo // 2018

I’ve found that not having concrete expectations of how motherhood would go was a gift in that it allowed for a whole lotta grace. Not so much pressure on them or on me to be someone I had dreamed up in my head. I think I have been able to pay closer attention to each one of my kids and their unique personalities, ways of relating, and specific needs better since I didn’t have rigid expectations of what I wanted parenting and my kids to look like.

Being somewhat clueless also paved the way for new relationships and a sweet reliance on family. I am fortunate to have started motherhood off with some incredible new mamas who I’ve shared this crazy adventure with and who are still some of my dearest friends. We learned so much from one another. I am also a very blessed gal to have a mom and mother-in-law who have shown me what great love and sacrifice for your kids looks like. All good gifts in the midst of my cluelessness.

However, there is one area that I do wish I had been more thoughtful about at an earlier stage — how to create spaces in my home, and spaces in our days, for my kids. I had to make a lot of mistakes in this area before realizing there’s a better way. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but if I had taken a bit more time to think through what items &/or areas in my home that would encourage my kids to learn, explore, and love well, I would’ve saved myself lots of hours of singing (and doing) the “clean-up, clean-up, everybody everywhere” song and dance, procrastination, guilt, and frustration.

On May 2 at The Back Porch Mercantile, this is the exact topic we will be teaching on.

  • How do we get a baby’s room ready with all the needs but not the excess?

  • What’s the best way to create a play area for toddler’s that allows them to explore but doesn’t turn my house into a plastic toy jungle?

  • Do I keep all my preschooler’s handprint art and the other 724 pieces of art they’ve created?

  • Toys through the years and how to store them in a way that your kids can actually clean them up.

  • How do we do birthdays and holidays well without filling up on too many gifts?

  • What to do with all my elementary-age child’s school work?

  • How do teach my kids to organize?

I have learned lots raising this boy and my two girls. I’m still learning. And whether you’re a new mom or a few years in, my hope for you is that through some intentional, thoughtful planning, you can create the best space for your kids and for you to be the best mom you can be.

Image: Paige Severance (and her cutie twins!)

Image: Paige Severance (and her cutie twins!)

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Let's school this...

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back to school image.jpg

Such a bittersweet time of summer for all the mamas and papas of school-age kids out there. It's gone by so fast in some ways and in others, we cannot wait to get back into the rhythm of school. We totally get it. In an effort to make the next couple weeks move in the right direction with the least amount of stress, we've put together a few ways to get yourself and your kids ready to roll come that first day of school.

1. Get online and find the supply list.... today!
Most schools now post these on school websites, school Facebook pages/groups, etc.
And in Tennessee, this upcoming weekend, July 28-30 is tax-free weekend! While on the school website, check for meet-the-teacher dates and orientations too!

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2. Pull backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and lunch box containers out now to assess their status. Lots of these items are already on sale during the "back to school" season and can be great to purchase on tax-free weekend if needed.

3. Spend 15-20 minutes with your child in their room and take a quick assessment of clothes for the early fall and shoes. So often our kids are in sandals or barefoot all summer and we don't realize they've outgrown all their close-toed shoes, which many schools require kids to wear.

4. If you haven't already, be sure your kids immunizations are up to date. Most pediatricians and family physicians know what is required for each school in your area. If you're not sure, you can always call the school to confirm.

5. Take your kiddo(s) on a "date" sometime between now and the first day of school. Try to be intentional with them and give them the opportunity to talk about what they're looking forward to in the upcoming year and what they may be anxious about. This 1-2 hours could mean the world to them as you prepare as a family for what lies ahead.

It's not rocket science to get our kids ready to get back in the classroom but it is good to have a few reminders, especially for us who have older school-age kids and might be slippin' a bit (like me :).
Hope this list helps you and if you have any tips to share, we'd love to hear them and so would our readers! Comment below...

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summer survival tips

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School's out for summer...The kids across Knox County are cheering for full days of play and fun, while parents have a new duty of planning summer activities and being prepared for whatever the fun days might hold! Here are a few ideas to help you be extra prepared: 

Image via Yummy Mummy Club blog.

Image via Yummy Mummy Club blog.

  • In the car...

You never know what you (or your various passengers) might need. This pop up organizer has a place for everything. Consider keeping the following items on hand: paper towels, bandaids, umbrella, trash bag, activity books, bungee cords, sunscreen, nonperishable snack, and a beach towel. 

  • In the garage...

Coming home from trips, pool days or picnics - the garage sometimes becomes the landing place for these items. Having a trash can and recycle bin will help with efficiently clearing out the trash before taking bags into the house. Keeping Clorox wipes near by to wipe out coolers after being used, will keep them from getting nasty over time. Make it a priority to always wash the wet bathing suits & towels from a trip immediately. Rinsing off any items with sand or dirt on them will save you from future mess! 

Image via Market Square Farmer's Market instagram.

Image via Market Square Farmer's Market instagram.

  • In the kitchen...

It seems like everyone is snacking more than ever in the summer. After a successful trip to the Farmer's Market, fill up a bowl with your fruit for anyone to grab on the go. Granola bars, PB&J, hummus, nuts are great snacks to grab on the run. If you have kids, designate areas for their snacks and drinks, separate from what you are using to cook meals to avoid confusion or clutter. Having paper products for an impromptu picnic will allow you to spontaneously decide to take your meal outdoors, and provides a quick and easy clean up. 

 

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Helpful Resources

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This week we wanted to give you a closer look at some of the most helpful local resources for all of your purging, organizing and styling needs. We have amped up our "Resources" portion of the website and wanted to share with you. Consider the links below as "tools" in your tool belt of organization. This page is actively updated as we learn about new services available in our area...so stay tuned! These are just a few highlights from our full resources page.

DONATION SPOTS

  • Goodwill : There are plenty of locations all around Knoxville. An organization that helps fund job training programs for East TN is something we can gladly get behind.

  • YWCA : They serve a wide variety of individuals from middle school girls and boys to women of all ages. A current "wish list" can be found on their website.

  • Angelic Ministries : Located in north Knoxville, they accept any furniture, clothing, or household items in good condition. Ongoing needs include twin mattresses, box springs and bed linens.

  • Ladies of Charity : This is another north Knox donation spot that accepts items ranging from clothing to household items to furniture. If you're unable to physically move your furniture, they'll arrange to come and get it from your home.

STORAGE & MOVING

  • Knoxville Box and Container, Inc : We can't speak highly enough of this local company that is committed to delivering quality products with unmatched customer service. Give them a call with your box and container needs.

  • Moretz Moving : Are you or someone you love moving soon? These are the folks to call; trusted and dependable. They also offer a free estimate!

TECHNOLOGY LIFE-SAVERS

  • Neighborhood Nerds : General computer help for your families technology issues. They help with phones, desktops and laptops. Their team is passionate about teaching you to use your technology well.

  • HappyMac : Local company you can count on with all of your Apple products. HappyMac team members really know the ins and outs of your favorite and most used products- after all they have been servicing Knoxville since 1994.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Fleetwood Photo & Digital : Need your old family photos or home videos archived? They can do it. They turned old forgotten pages of recipes into a beautifully bound cookbook for one of our clients. 

 

Knoxville is fortunate to have local organizations that make great use of our outdated or excess treasures. And we are huge fans of the local companies that provide the service and supplies we need to carry out our organizing jobs for our clients. 

We hope that some of these resources will give you the direction you need to get going on your next project! 

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Keys to a Peaceful Summer

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A big hooray for students, teachers, volunteers and parents who worked hard this school year!

Kids have been counting down the days; eagerly awaiting pool play time, road trips, and freedom to roam the neighborhood day & night. While summertime is sweet it can also add some chaos to our homes and cars. Here are a few tips to keep peace in your home & car this summer while the fun summer activities ensue!

  1. Fill a small tote with the summer outdoor essentials and keep it in your garage or laundry room (easy access to grab and go). Fill it with these items: outdoor/picnic blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, band aids, frisbee, and the ever useful Eno hammock.

  2. Designate a section of the pantry and refrigerator for kids snacks and drinks. Make sure to pick an easily accessible shelf for your kiddos. These snacks and drinks will take up more room in the summer than they do during the school year, so it saves everyone from clutter and hunting for the right snack to designate a specific shelf.

  3. Plan some free family fun - check out these local hikes from Outdoor Knoxville. Be sure to check the weather forecast, grab some snacks & hit the trail together. This is a great alternative to more expensive indoor activities. You could even incentivize the hike by allowing your kids to invite a friend if they consistently keep up with their chores around the house for a week straight!

  4. Check out the Children's Festival of Reading hosted by the Knox County Public Library. This Saturday, May 21 is the free kick off event at 10:00 AM! The library is a great resource to continue education and reading throughout the summer, especially on those rainy days.

Happy summer to you! 

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Organizing Kids Rooms

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Playrooms and kids' rooms are often some of the hardest spaces to organize. Finding a good balance of knowing when the toys are taking over but also keeping a wide range of options to foster creativity and fun is a challenge. Organizing for kids is a hard task. While respecting what an individual child enjoys playing with, there are ways to purge without ending up with lots of tears over toys that are missed.

1. Talk with your kids about what happens to toys that they let go of. Help them see the story that they play a part in when they donate toys to children that may not have toys to play with like they do. If you have a child that gets excited to participate in the process of purging, let them be a part of the process. Ask them which toys they would like to share with a less fortunate child.

2. If your child isn't as willing to let go of things, take a few weeks to intentionally notice what toys they spend the most time playing with and which toys are neglected, or maybe they have grown out of. For children less willing to purge when the toys are taking over, try boxing up all of the toys that you believe they are done with. Keep the box in a hidden location for two weeks and if they haven't noticed or don't seem to mind that the toy is gone, give it away. Concentrate on helping your children value relationships more than things.

3. Specific toys to keep: Try to keep toys that help foster creativity, furthering education, and thinking skills. Art and Craft supplies, dress up clothes, building blocks, games, etc.

 

 

4. If your kids share a room, help them make their own space feel special. Sometimes kids need their own space and sometimes they need to learn how to share space well. Whether your kids share a room or have their own, making an effort to hang their favorite poster, frame their best art creation(s), create a reading nook, or frame a photo of your child with their best friend can make them feel proud of their own space and, hopefully, lead to taking more responsibility of keeping it in order.

Photo: James Henry / bauersyndication.com.au

Photo: James Henry / bauersyndication.com.au

5. Kids clothes.
It's amazing how quickly kids grow out of their clothing. This is an ongoing process. Each season, go through each closet and toss or donate items that are worn out or no longer fit. If you have younger kids that will grow into things in the future, just keep the well maintained items & box up clothing by size and sex and store somewhere other than their closet if you have the storage space available. When it comes to kids closets, make sure items are stored in a way that makes it easy for them to become more independent. Can they reach the things they need to? Is it obvious where things go?

6. Kid storage.
Coming up with a way to organize toys and games that is conducive to kids can be complicated. Bins can be a great help as a solution. This unit has the ability to do both store in bins and on shelves which can be helpful with multiple shapes of toys. Getting items off the floor and onto shelves or in bins is a must.

7. Kids books. The best advice here is have lots to choose from on shelves that your kids can easily reach. Color coordinating can be a fun project for kids and is much more practical in re-shelving than alphabetically.

8. Art supplies. Which supplies do you want them to be able to access without you present? Which supplies do you only want used with adult supervision? This changes with age so reorganizing is necessary over time. Going through and tossing broken, dried up etc. Storing in a way that allows kids to participate in clean up process. I've had great success over the years with a small chest of 4 drawers. It has grown with the kids starting with a drawer for play-doh, one for wooden puzzles, one with all kinds of paper to now holding all sorts of markers, paints, clay & older kids art items. 

As always, HYD is here to help if you're needing a little boost to get these projects started. Just drop us a line at info@helpyoudwell.com or call us at 865.245.9080.

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Fall To-Do List

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Do you ever get to the end of a season and realize that there were so many things you planned to do but never got to? Us too.
There are so many fall festivals, holidays, and events going on and we've made a to do list of sorts to help get the ball rolling for your harvest plans. We love the idea of having seasonal bucket lists as well; things that aren't necessarily all planned out but a list of ideas for the occasional Saturday when you find yourself with no plans.

We suggest carving out an hour with your calendar ASAP to get things on your schedule.

Festivals: Click on the links for more info

Activities/Holidays:

Photo by Sarah Musgrave

Photo by Sarah Musgrave

  • Host a bonfire

  • Take a hike in the Smokies (not sure when trail to choose? Check out the Top 10) If you are looking for a family friendly hike with young kids, "Andrew's Bald" is perfect.

  • Plan and purchase or make Halloween costumes for your kids (Need some ideas? Here are a few)

  • Seasonal decorating (Southern Living's Fall Decorating Ideas)

  • Tailgate with friends before a football game

  • Finalize Thanksgiving plans

What kinds of things are on your to do list for this Fall?

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The Quick List for Back-to-School Organization

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Here in Knoxville, the start of school is just over a week away for most of us. It's time to plan, shop, and prepare for another year of learning and growing. To start off the school year right, HYD wanted to share a few tips that can help make the transition more simple and efficient.

1. School Supplies

  • Obtain your child's class supply list from his/her school as soon as possible.

  • Take advantage of Tennessee's tax-free weekend August 7-9

  • Wait for discounts on items like clothing, electronics, and shoes that typically drop in price around mid-August

  • For eco-friendly options, check out MightyNest and earn money for your school while you shop.

2. Ease into School Routine

  • These last weekdays before school begins, begin waking late sleepers up a bit earlier and re-introduce school year bedtime.

  • Keep snacks readily available for kids throughout afternoon as meal times during school may differ from summer eating routines. Real Simple has a great list of snack options.

  • Remind your kids what you expect from them in their morning routine and after-school routine so they know what they're responsible for. Here is a checklist HYD likes.

3. Calendar Prep

  • Find your school's or your school system's calendar for the year and place all important dates including holidays, in-services, half-days, and report card days on your personal calendar now.

  • Create a central calendar the whole family can see with school and after school activities using a paper or whiteboard so it's easy to read and adjust like this one.

4. Prepare for Paper Piles

  • Make an effort from day one of school to fill out each form as you get them, place them back in your child's folder, and back to school before it gets lost in a pile.

  • Create a system for keeping art or school work that allows you to discard all other items the day they enter your home. In other words, go through folders each afternoon/evening, look at each piece of work, if it is an original that you would've liked to have seen as you looked back to that age and you have no other like it, keep it. Otherwise, recycle it.

5. Teacher(s) Support

  • Try not to miss any opportunity to meet your child's teacher or teachers. If you're not able to meet in person, reach out with an email to introduce yourself and offer help to make the school year successful. This is invaluable to both your child and his/her teacher. Teachers need our support, encouragement, and helpful knowledge that only we can give them about our child.

Help You Dwell wishes you and your family a safe and successful 2015-2016 school year!

 

 

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Organizing Your Summer with Your Kids

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It's been officially one week since my kiddos had their last day of school before summer. So far, they've enjoyed sleeping in, lounging around the house in PJs, some crafts they've been wanting to get to, and taking a road trip to visit old buddies in Asheville. Thankfully, we're off to a pretty good start.

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.”
— George R.R. Martin

With that said, summer with school-age kids home can be a bit overwhelming without a plan. It can also be a wonderful time for kids to explore, relax, create, and enjoy the freedom of days without the time restraints of the school year. All you need is your time, a little rhythm in your day and a brainstorming session with you kids to make the most out your family's summer.
Here are 7 tips to get you started:

1. Make time each day to play or connect with your child.

Take the time to play a board game, make a milkshake or catch fireflies. It doesn't have to be an elaborate project or outing, just a few minutes of your attention can make simple moments last forever.

2. find the balance for structure

After the long school year, kids need time to unwind, relax and let their brains and emotions take it easy. Kids also need a routine so that they know what to expect. Come up with a loose plan for each day, like hang at the house in the morning doing a small job or working in the garden, afternoons are spent running errands, at the pool or splash pad, or visiting a friend. The summer is a great time to teach kids how to do certain chores well so that during the school months, they can continue contributing to helping the house stay in order.

3. help kids develop a healthy relationship with time

"I'm bored" is a phrase we can all remember using at some point and one I'm sure you've heard from your child as well. Use the summer as a time to help your kids be comfortable with themselves, without technology. This may be hard to commit to at first, but don't lose heart. Here is more on why being bored can be a good thing and ideas for kids when they are.

4. Strictly limit screens

Give your kids certain times of the day for technology. Kids are less likely to bug you about it and more inclined to use their imagination if the option of being on a screen is off the table until a certain time.

5. establish daily reading / quiet time

Setting up this time during each day keeps your child's mind engaged and growing as well as gives you time to yourself. Here is a great list of summer reading ideas.

6. plan memory making activities

Get the kids involved in this brainstorming activity. Here's a list to get you started...
- Play an outdoor movie in your backyard
- Have a lemonade stand
- Make a firepit in your yard and enjoy s'mores together
- Have a water party with sprinklers, water balloons, water guns, slip-n-slide, etc
- Plan a bike ride and pack snacks for a picnic along the way
- Go berry picking
- Make your kids breakfast in bed (or encourage siblings to do it for one another)
- Surprise Dad (or Mom) at work with lunch
- Go hiking, camping, kayaking or canoeing
- Plant a small garden or even just a couple of pots of plants
- Host a pot-luck outdoor party, let your kids help with the guest list

7. capture the summer in a photo album

My kids love to look back at photos from previous summers. As you embark on this summer's activities, grab your camera to snap shots along the way. The week before school starts, have your kids help put an album together as a way to celebrate the priceless memories you've made. It will be time very well spent.