Do you have boxes of unorganized children’s clothing? It is easy to waste money this way because when a size 2 coat is needed, it often seems easier to buy a new one than search boxes for the old.

A season change is a good time to take on this chore, especially when summer is just beginning. We’re normally feeling up to the chore then. Do it on a day that your husband and children can help. Give each child a garbage bag and have them go through their drawers and pull out everything that doesn’t fit, is in bad shape ir that they haven’t worn because they don’t like it. They then need to bring these bags to your central sort area. Mine is the garage, I set up a folding table in the middle to sort on.

I have purchased office boxes from Office Max. I like the standard size because they stack neatly. Each box is lined with a new, black garbage bag and I toss in a stick of unchewed- in-its-wrapper peppermint gum, this chases bugs away and the bag keeps the clothes clean and dust-free. Every box gets a number on the end starting with one. You can also use a letter and a number. All boxes with boys clothing could begin with the letter B followed by a number. For instance B1, B2, B3 etc. Girls could be G1, G2 , Crafts C1, C2, Mens M1, M2, Womens W1, W2 etc. I write on a label and affix it to the end of the box, the end that will be showing.

On a pad of paper, I keep track of what is in the box:

B1 2T Winter

B2 4T Jeans

W1 Winter coat

Whenever I need an item I look on my list and locate the box. Sometimes my list is a little more informative, listing specifically the items in the boxes. If you have a Palm Pilot, type the information in and you’ll have it handy.

Don’t box items that you won’t use, I always seem to hang onto stained t-shirts and then I don’t let the children wear them. So chuck it out, turn them into rags or send them to the junk yard.. Don’t save stuff you won’t use!

Try to have fun, you’ll feel wonderful when it is done and you know exactly what you have.

My children always have to take books and bits and pieces in the car. Five minutes into the trip and they have either become bored or carsick and the item is dumped. I wanted a place for the pencils, pads of paper, books, nick nacks and memorabilia. Not to mention baby toys and sipper seal drinks.

So I took a towel and lying it lengthwise, folded it up a third. First I sewed either edge and then drew on the fabric with a pencil, where I wanted all the pockets to be. This way I had a straight line to follow and I could predetermine the size of the pockets. Next I sewed a 8 x 3/4 inch piece of elastic to the corner of the towel and then to the same side corner. I did this on both sides. The car towel was done. I slipped this over the seat, the pockets facing where the children sat and it was done.