Clutter is an issue that everyone deals with, unless you are like my girlfriend who moves every two years and therefore stays more on top of the clutter than the rest of us.  I'm currently "decluttering" my house and let me tell you this is one of the worst projects I've ever done, but I know in the long run it will pay off especially when we move and we don't have to go back through all that junk!

Here's the ABC's on Controlling Clutter

A - A Place for Everything

• Storage areas for the jackets, backpacks, boots, and dirty shoes.  A place to keep it looking neat and tidy.
• First Aid Kit should be readily available and organized for when the "emergency" appears.
• Medical Records should be easily accessible.  Once a year, you should see what medical items need to be taken care of and get them on the calendar.  For example, I know that I'm very overdue for my tetanus shot and was reminded to take care of that the other day.

B - Baskets, Baskets, and More Baskets

• Baskets make for easy pickup especially for the kids.
• Large bins are great for the yard toys and garage gear.
• Treasure box - let the kids take down the refrigerator projects and school papers and put them into the treasure box.  P.S. not everything needs to be kept!
• Craft drawer or basket makes it easy when the kids want to do a project and they can easily find the items themselves.

C- Conquer the Clutter

• Seasonal purge - donate the items that you haven't used in the last year.  It will help you clean up your house and also help someone in need.
• Under-the-bed containers - great ways of "hiding" the extra clothes or items that don't need to be out.

If you have any more ideas or suggestions, feel free to give input.  These are the things that have helped me get my household in order.

References: Fix, Alexandra.  "Kid Clutter Control from A to Z." Women's LifeStyle. August 2007.