If You Think the Marie Kondo Folding Method Doesn't Work With Kids, Let Me Stop You Right There

As you can see, these aren't unattainable, pristinely folded, expertly aligned sets of colour-coordinated clothing straight out of some magazine ad. These are drawers of readily accessible clothes presented in a functional way for parents and kiddos alike.

And here are the immediate benefits I noticed:

1. My daughter was able to get something out of her dresser without unwittingly dislodging any other garment.
2. She wore more of her clothes. Before, she'd often rewear the same shirts that were always visible, but because this method allowed her to see every item in one glance, my out-of-sight-out-of-mind toddler had more options available to her.
3. She was able to help with the laundry! One of her "chores" has long been to put her folded clothes into her drawers, and until Marie, I sacrificed tidiness for fostering her independence. But with the vertical style, it's easier for her to put clothes away by finding open slots and jamming the clothes in them.

This isn't to say that I follow Marie's rules to a T. My folding style is a bit off from the way she does it, but it works generally the same and is easier for my daughter – who now watches me fold her clothes and occasionally offers to help – to replicate.

I don't bother folding toddler underwear or lining up socks, but I do have designated boxes for them in her drawers. Same goes for her accessories. Her top drawer is filled with bins – one for bows, one for headbands, another for sunglasses, and still one more for mittens and gloves.

I'm sure Marie would suggest lining things up more neatly than I've done, so you can see everything from above without having to dig, but I figure this is a good start that gives both me a sense of order and my kid more autonomy over her own belongings.

So if you are somehow convinced that Marie's methods won't work for your children, I implore you to try it for just one week. Like I did with the fold, for instance, you can take some liberties and still reap amazing rewards. It won't be perfect, but I guarantee it'll be an improvement that the entire family can get behind.