When your kids’ room feels like a disaster zone (and you’re the one left cleaning it up)

I used to think the chaos in my kids’ rooms was normal. This is just what life looks like when you have kids, right?

But then summer would roll around, and suddenly the mess didn’t feel harmless anymore. It felt heavy. Toys everywhere. Clothes they’ve outgrown but won’t part with. Art supplies and half-finished crafts mixed in with birthday party loot bags and broken crayons. 

And the worst part was I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt it. My kids were overwhelmed too, even if they couldn’t explain it.

If you’ve ever walked into your child’s room and thought, How did it get this bad? - you’re in the right place.

It’s not just mess - it’s a mix of memories, maybes, and mental overload

Kids’ rooms are where so many life stages collide.
You’ve got:

• Toys from toddlerhood they’ve outgrown

• Clothes that might still fit next year

• Art, awards, books, and keepsakes from every age and stage

And it’s all mixed together in one space that’s supposed to be restful, playful, and functional.

That’s why it feels hard to clean up.
Because every item comes with a little story.
Every decision feels like a mini tug-of-war - Should I save this? Will they notice? What if I need it later?

This isn’t about being disorganized. It’s about being buried in a hundred small, emotional decisions - and not having the time or energy to make them.

Start before summer takes over

July is the perfect time to reset your kids’ spaces. School’s out. And let’s be honest: if you don’t tackle it now, the mess is only going to grow.

Try this:

1. A pre-summer reset bin
Pick one bin or basket per kid. As you move through their room, anything that feels like a “maybe” goes in the bin. If they don’t miss it or ask for it over the summer, you’ve got your answer - out it goes.

2. The hand-me-down trap
Let’s talk about those bins of clothes in the closet or under the bed- waiting for someone to grow into them. Do a quick audit:

• Are they really the right size and season for your next kid?

• Are they even something they’ll want to wear?

• If it’s been sitting there for over a year untouched, it's time to let it go. 

Hand-me-downs are great in theory, but not if they’re just creating clutter.

Get your kids involved (without the meltdown)

Instead of asking them to choose what to give away, let them choose what to save: "which one of these would you like to keep?" This small language shift gives them control - and avoids the power struggle. There are a few ways to try this:

• Lay out 10 stuffies. Ask them to pick 3 favourites to display and 2 to sleep with.

• You should choose a box beforehand and have them put what they want to keep in the box. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't stay. Teach them about the boundaries of containers. If they say they want to keep everything, this is a great way to combat that - let the container be the bad guy! 

• Let them decorate a “donate” box and fill it together. Explain to them the importance of donating and remind them that their toys will go to kids who don't have any. 

It's not about making it perfect - and a lot of feelings might come up for you and your kids! 
It’s about teaching them what it feels like to live in a room that isn’t overflowing and to build their skills. 

Why the mess keeps coming back

Sometimes the mess isn’t a lack of effort - it’s a lack of systems.

I’ve seen it again and again: parents tidy up, only for the room to explode within a week. Why? Because kids don’t always know where things go - or why it matters.

What helps:

• Clear, labeled bins for toys (picture labels work for pre-readers)

• A laundry basket that’s actually the right size for their room

• A small “goodnight basket” by the bed for books, glasses, flashlight, etc.

When kids know where things belong, they’re more likely to help keep it that way.

Want more support? 

If reading this has you nodding along but still unsure where to start, that’s exactly what Room Refresh is for.

Inside the July Room Refresh, I’ll guide you step-by-step through organizing your kids’ room - from the overflowing toy bins to the bins of hand-me-downs to the sentimental keepsakes. 

You’ll get:

• A PDF that breaks the whole process into 4 weekly focus areas - no guesswork, no overwhelm.

• A supportive, real-time video you can play while you declutter (think of it like body doubling - we do it together).

• The emotional tools to navigate guilt, indecision, and the mental load that comes with this space.

• Small wins every week that actually stick - and build momentum you can feel.

If you're ready for a room that works for your kids (and for you), I’ll show you how to get there.

👉 [Click here to join Room Refresh]