Aubrey Miles's tidying method doubles as money-saving tip for her kids
by Justine Punzalan 
Just like any mom, Aubrey Miles finds it challenging to maintain a clean home, especially when she has young kids who have many toys.
That's why she uses a tidying approach that doubles as a money-saving tip for her kids.
"If you're gonna buy one toy, you have to let go of another one," she tells them when they're out shopping.
According to the mom of Maurie, 18, Hunter, 11, and Rocket Miller, 1, she does this simple and practical method when shopping for her own clothes.
"It's like me buying clothes," she says.
"Me, if I buy clothes, I have to let go of [an old] one. Ganoon ako.
"So isipin mo na lang, 'O, magle-let go ka ba? No? Then you can't buy a toy.'"
By teaching her kids to avoid impulse buying, Aubrey is also able to practice minimalism in their home.
She relates, "Hindi puwedeng marami kasi I know there's always gonna be a toy that's not being used. Alam ko."
Aubrey discussed this in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the launch of Urban Kitchen held on October 29, 2019, at Sentro 1771 in Capitol Commons, Mandaluyong City.
AUBREY TRAINS HER KIDS TO BE TIDY
Aside from training her kids to spend wisely, Aubrey also sets a few more rules designed to help them become organized adults.
She tells PEP.ph that when it comes to storing her kids' toys, she does it systematically—not only by size but also by color.
She explains, "I like it hidden. I have a toy storage, and that storage has color."
She instructs them, "O, this is [for] the small toys, big toys, Lego, so I need to organize, hindi puwedeng halo-halo, just for them to learn."
A visit to eldest son Maurie's college dormitory has reassured Aubrey that she is training her children well.
"I'm actually proud doon sa eldest ko. I did the same thing," Aubrey beams.
"So now he's in his dorm, he does it in his own section.
"Not that kelangan, [the storage bins] are color-coordinated, pero nasanay siya na ganoon siya lumaki sa akin.
"Parang they grew up like that. So proud naman ako. Sabi ko, 'Aba!'"
Aside from teaching her kids to store their toys properly, Aubrey also makes it a point to change her kids' bedsheets and pillowcases every two weeks.
She expounds, "Even the beddings, kasi I like beddings.
"So for the kids, I change at least eight [days]. Ten days is the longest. Ten days, nagpapalit na."
That, too, is something that her eldest son picked up.
Aubrey says, "Siya [Maurie], he likes it [bedsheet] tight.
"It's not like it's a rule for them, it's just they grew up like that."
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