USA TODAY International Edition
Marie Kondo helps kids get tidy
Marie Kondo has fascinated the world with her KonMari method of cleaning up and her impressive ability to fold anything into tiny organized packages.
Her Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” has people rushing to thrift shops and consignment stores with all their things that no longer “spark joy.”
Now, the Japanese organizing consultant is bringing her “life- changing” ideas to the kids. YES!
Her new book “Kiki & Jax” teaches children tidying up through friendship and is inspired by her two daughters’ love of books. It is available Tuesday and preorders have begun.
Kondo is launching an online store of joy- enhancing products in November. And about a Netflix season 2? Well, it’s “under consideration,” Kondo told USA TODAY.
We talked with the organizing guru to learn more about her new book and how parents can teach kids to “GO TO YOUR ROOM AND CLEAN UP THIS MESS!”
Spoiler alert! That is not the right method.
Question: What is “Kiki & Jax” about?
Answer: The book is not just about tidying up. The most important theme of the book is about friendship. It is about two good friends and through tidying up, their friendship actually deepens. That’s the biggest point.
Q: What are some tips you have for parents who want their kids to be more organized?
A: Having fun while tidying up is the most important message that I want to convey and the three things after that are: first, how you have to tidy up by categories; the second thing is that you have to leave things that actually stifle joy for you; and the third thing is that – and I’m including into this book – is how to fold the clothes.
Q: How can the Kon Mari method possibly work with children?
A: You have to explain ( to children) that it’s important to know the space limit. There is a limitation, so you can’t have everything.
Just how I teach my adult clients, I would have each child pile up by the category. So if you were doing clothes, he or she would need to pile up all the clothes he or she owns. And then, one piece of clothing by one piece of clothing, he or she has to hold it in her hands
and decide if she really wants to keep it or not. Just like that for the toys as well.
And some parents do say “my children love everything, so they can’t really let go of anything.” But actually you’d be surprised. You’d be surprised to see how much ( a child) would be able to let go of things after she sees a pile of things.
A: I did have an experience like that. I gave away this piece of clothing to my friend and after that, I saw something in the store and thought, “Oh I wish I kept that item so these would match perfectly!” Ya, I’ve had that experience.
A: Not at all. Not always. When I tell them to tidy up, they do. But their playroom is separate from their bedroom and it, sometimes, is not that tidied up, because when they’re tired they don’t want to tidy up. But when I say it, they do it.