After returning from our latest “Campsgiving” adventure, I was faced with a daunting stack of schoolwork that needed my attention before heading back to classes. Glancing at the clutter on the kitchen counter and the towering heap on the table, I felt a surge of frustration. If I wanted to make progress with my tasks, I had to tackle the chaos first. I needed to sort, shred, and file the papers, and address the myriad of small items buried beneath the mess I’d let accumulate.
I’m not the ideal housekeeper. If I manage to get the laundry done, the dishwasher loaded, and the beds made with clean sheets by the end of the weekend, it feels like a victory. I aspire to have a tidy home, but as a full-time working mom striving to maximize family time while also pursuing my own writing, maintaining a spotless house is often beyond my reach.
Where do those items typically end up a week later? In the trash.
I also have a long-standing issue with paper clutter. I attribute this to my father, who instilled in me a reluctance to discard anything that could potentially be useful in the future. Like many educators, I struggle to part with materials that might serve a purpose down the line. While I know many creative and space-efficient ways to organize, making decisions about what to keep and what to toss can be a challenge.
Perhaps it’s my heightened awareness of my own shortcomings or my desire for control amidst the chaos, but I’ve become increasingly intolerant of clutter.
Clutter and Children
With children, clutter seems to come with the territory.
My annoyance stems from various sources, starting with my own disorganized systems. There have been countless instances where I’ve stepped on a stray toy, injuring my foot and rendering the toy unplayable, leading to its disposal. Our pets have also been guilty of devouring cherished trinkets left on the floor. I’ve witnessed disputes over toys where one child mishandled their item while the other maintained theirs in good condition. Tears have been shed over perceived unfairness when one child receives a prize and the other returns empty-handed. I’ve filled garbage bags with items cleared from bedrooms and counters, while the remaining items have been donated to others to manage.
Then there are the little trinkets that never make it to the kids’ bedrooms, leaving me to decide their fate.
These trinkets come from numerous places—countless papers, crafts, and treats from church events, treasures from the dentist’s treasure chest, toys received with kids’ meals during hectic weeks, and various items collected from parties. Even my partner and I have brought home promotional items from conferences.
If we’re fortunate, those items eventually find their way into the kids’ rooms instead of being broken or tossed in a moment of cleaning frustration.
Shifting Our Focus
What if we shifted our focus to teaching our children the importance of experiences over disposable items?
With December upon us and Christmas fast approaching, our kids will receive goody bags from school and church events, and we’ll be tempted by aisles of stocking stuffers that could derail our carefully planned holiday budget. Where will these items likely end up a week after bringing them home? In the trash.
What if we parents collectively agreed to draw the line? What if we stopped purchasing grocery store cupcakes adorned with plastic rings or toys? What if we were more mindful with our stocking stuffers, opting for items that our kids can consume or use for a longer duration? What if we decided to provide them with fewer but higher-quality items instead of immediately disposable junk? What if we actively taught them the value of meaningful experiences?
I recognize I may be suggesting an uphill battle. After all, I’ve promised my partner for nearly two decades that I would tackle my paper pile issue, yet here we are. But can’t we aspire to improve our budgets, our environmental impact, and our children’s understanding of intentionality in what we bring into our homes? Can we foster this mindset in our schools and communities? Can we support one another in this journey?
I’m committed to making the effort. Our children deserve better, and so do we. Our planet deserves better too. Isn’t that a sufficient reason to strive for improvement during this festive season?
Further Reading
For additional insights on conscious parenting, consider visiting this article, or if you’re interested in home insemination resources, check out Cryobaby’s Home Intracervical Insemination Kit. For a comprehensive overview of pregnancy-related information, the CDC’s pregnancy page is an excellent resource.
In summary, as we navigate the holiday season, let’s commit to fostering a culture that values quality over quantity, teaching our children the significance of experiences rather than accumulating disposable items.
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