Walkabout:  /wok’-uh-bout/ (v.) children looking throughout their home for any of their personal items that have been left out, and then putting the belongings in their appropriate locations.     Ex: Before going outside to play the kids did a walkabout and the house looked great.

There are days when I know something is bugging me but I can’t put my finger on it; my temper seems short(er) and I feel weighed down, but I don’t really know what my problem is… And then it hits me: the house has toys and papers and kid-gadgets scattered everywhere!  Toy-litter can creep up on a home in little bits that grow and grow until every space is overwhelmed with it; I often don’t realize it’s happening until the mess is crazy.

Enter: the walkabout.  This handy little routine has become a daily task that helps things to not get out of control.  I like to send the kids on a walkabout before supper (so the house looks nice and welcoming for Nate) and periodically throughout the day if the kids are dragging out more than their usual ’supplies.’  This helps with the overall tidyness of the house, and it keeps the clutter at a manageable level for the kids.

If you’re game, try it with your own brood: give each kid a grocery bag and walk them through every room of your house to collect their ‘property.’  If you’re teaching little ones (as young as toddlers can learn this) you may need to point out their toys or carry the bag for them, as well as help them put it all away.  A little bit of training with this goes a long way…