Organizing Teens:
Kids Corner

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, July 30 and November 19, 2005
Show 220

You love your teenagers even though they drive you crazy sometimes. It seems their lives are full of constant chaos. But there are things you can do as a parent to help keep them organized.

Believe it or not, most teens really want to be organized. But for their own reasons, not yours. Your job as a parent is to coach and guide them. One place to begin is by interacting with your teen in a positive and supportive way. Constant reminders about a messy room don't help. Instead, compliment them on tasks completed or assignments done early.

Recognize the way they are organized and let them know you're confident they can apply it to other areas in their life. For most teens, the bedroom is the main headquarters. It's an extension of who they are. And it's usually the most disorganized. The trick is identifying the things that are important and finding a place to keep it.

When it comes to organization, think of space. It's an acronym. First is sort. Have them go through what they have and group similar items. Books go with books. CDs with CDs and so on.

Next, purge. Get rid of duplicates and excess.

Assign a home comes next. Have them decide where each item they're keeping will live.

Containerize. This is a great excuse to go to the store and buy some neat baskets or boxes.

Finally, equalize. They need to update their system to keep up with their changing interests and needs. You can even reward your teens new organization with an additional freedom like an extension to a curfew or some other sort of privilege. If there's some kind of payoff for them, they maybe more willing to comply.