How can I develop organizational systems that changes with my older child's needs?
The challenge in organizational systems for older children is taking into account the paperwork that they have, the homework, the things that they might want to keep in terms of their college prep, all of that. So it's really helping them develop a filing system, which I think is great because it also teaches them how to hopefully maintain a filing system, and what is the thought process that goes into doing that. So I think that's a great learning tool for them, but it's also something that's a necessity. And also in teaching them how to put things back in the place that it belongs, and how to sort of figure out where to put things. And it's great if you can get your older child involved. I've worked with clients that have thirteen, fourteen-year-old children, and when it's come time to organize their rooms, I've actually told them, "You know, it would be great if I could work with your son or daughter for a couple of hours, because they need to own this system. They can't just walk into the room, and, oh, everything's in a different place." And whenever I have done that, it's always been terrific because now, they're telling me, "No, no, no, I want my music here, because I'm lying in bed when I'm listening to it." Or, "I don't care about these papers being here, but I want my books here, and this is where I sit to do my homework." So it really is great if you can get your older child involved because they have opinions, and they know what their needs are, and it's also just so great for them to be able to express that.
