Home Organization Tips
Do you need some home organization tips? It can be hard to create an organized home - that's for sure. But don’t let it stress you out! Count to 10, take deep breaths and relax. All you need is a plan. I'm going to "break it down" for you. Your new plan, at a glance is: As you set out on the path of home organization, you need to get your family involved. You are NOT the maid. (Maybe you should make that your new mantra)?? CHORES FOR YOUR KIDS I love the saying: "If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders." ~Abigail Van Buren Children that are 2-years-old (and sometimes younger) can learn to clean up after themselves. My 19-month-old loves to take her diapers to the trash and her clothes to the hamper. She smiles the whole way – feeling so big! One of the beginning chores at our house, starting at age 2 or 3, is taking care of the bathroom trash. They pull the full trash bag out of the trash can and carry it to the big trash in the kitchen. Then they get a new bag (recycling grocery bags) and replace it in the trash can. This job is soon mastered and they are ready to move on! I have just moved my 3-year-old (almost 4 now) into the chore rotation with my bigger boys. She can make her bed, set the table, unload the dishwasher, help me with the dishes, dust (where she can reach) and vacuum. (Um, don't worry, I don't make her do all of these chores each day!) Of course, these chores aren’t done to the perfect standard I would hope for. But I (and you) have to let that go! HOUSEWORK It’s impossible to clean the entire house and then that’s it, I’m done ‘til next week. Why? Because WE LIVE HERE. That has been a huge frustration that I’m slowly learning to get over.It’s hard, after I’ve mopped the floor, to not come un-glued when my children walk across the floor with dirty shoes or spill something. I have to remind myself – “They’re just living life. Don’t get so obsessed with having the picture-perfect clean home, that you make your family unable to relax or walk across the room without catching your wrath. I watched a Pink Panther episode with one of my boys the other day where Pink Panther was walking across an army mine field, pausing after each careful step until he’d made it across safely. I couldn't help but think..."That looks like the kids when I’ve been cleaning! If you are a “homemaker,” your “job” is to take care of the kids AND the house. It’s a tall order and no one expects you to have it all together all the time. So don’t stress out about it. Your priority is, of course, the kids. In my opinion, your second priority should be the house and meals. 
So to make your housework schedule, think of it this way; what’s your main concern as far as house-cleaning goes? Does it drive you crazy if you’re dishes aren’t washed? Start there. Do you lose sleep at night if your floors aren’t mopped? Start there. Take it a step at a time. Make yourself a
schedule
, such as laundry on Tuesdays and Fridays, vacuuming on Wednesdays and Saturdays (whenever the kids aren’t), you get the idea.
FAMILY CALENDAR If it doesn't get put on the Family Calendar, more than likely, I will forget about it and someone will end up in tears... If you're as busy and forgetful as me, you need one too. Check it out here.
ORGANIZED HOME My very most favorite book on home organization tips is by Laura Leist, called “Eliminate Chaos.” She takes you room by room showing you how she organizes each. I have applied her technique in several areaS of my house and it has been wonderful in helping me work towards creating an organized home.If de-cluttering and orderliness is important to you, I highly recommend this book.
My favorite definition of organize is “To arrange in a desired pattern or structure.” DESIRED is the keyword here. There’s not a right and wrong way to organize your home. It’s all about what works for you and your family. Don’t compare yourself to Sally next door, who seems to have it all together. Work on the areas that matter to YOU and you’ll feel better. Just like our children, learning to dress themselves and do chores, we learn step-by-step and as we master each step, we can move on to the next. I hope these home organization tips have been helpful. Good luck as you work towards creating YOUR organized home. Chore Charts Housework Schedule Family CalendarReturn from Home Organization Tips to Home
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Teaching your children how to work and do chores has SO many advantages. First of all, it is ESSENTIAL to creating an organized home. It also teaches responsibility, self-confidence, appreciation, selflessness, and it helps YOU carry the load! 
I HAVE to have one central place for reminders, due dates, to do lists, etc. For me, this is the Family Calendar and surrounding area.
