Does this sound familiar? Your teenager is always running late, frequently loses his homework, and spends way too much time tracking down everything from wrestling shoes to car keys. Although it may seem like a hopeless situation, there’s no need to panic: organization is something your child can learn. To find out more, we contacted Jessi Morgenstern-Colon, co-author (with her mother, Julie Morgenstern), of Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens. Morgenstern-Colon is a talented writer, but she also speaks from personal experience.
Q: Why do so many teens have trouble getting organized?
A: A main reason is that this is the first time they've had to manage their time on their own—and they simply don’t know what to do. But being organized is a skill, and anyone can learn a skill.
Q: Where should they start?
A: If you stop and think about it, your teen is probably organized in some areas of his or her life—often in the one that is of most interest to him or her. The key to being organized in all aspects of life is discovering the system that works in this one area, and then applying it everywhere else. When I was in middle school, for instance, I had a system of organizing my friend's phone numbers according to where I met them. The numbers of friends I met at dances were written on one color of paper, while friends I met at synagogue were written on another. Color-coding simply worked for me. So I proceeded to apply a color-coding system to my schoolwork. I created a system where each class was given a different color binder, and within each binder I organized my work into three different colored folders—one for work to hand in, one for class notes, and one for graded work. I used this system all throughout high school, and it worked great.
Q: As parents, we sometimes try to force our organization methods onto our teens. Can this backfire on us?
A: Yes. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Parents have to recognize that each kid will have their own organization style. There are as many ways to get organized as there are people. Parents should help their kids create their own unique system instead of trying to impose a system on them.
Q: But my son’s room is such a mess! How can he find anything in all that clutter?
A: Parents should understand that being organized is not the same as being neat. Your child’s room may look like a train wreck, but if he can find anything he needs within 10 seconds, then there's probably some method to the madness.
Q: In what ways will being organized help my teen?
A: There are many advantages to being organized, including finding the time to pursue your dreams. I went to a serious academic school, but I aspired to be a dancer. I proved I could manage my schedule, my work, and my time in order to take more dance classes—and that paved the way for my career. (Morgenstern-Colon now works as a professional dancer in New York.) When you're organized, you're a lot more accountable, and your parents and teachers trust you. It gives you more personal freedom.
For more specific tips and techniques on helping your teen get organized, visit www.organizedteens.com.
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