Home Organization Tips

I know it’s a bit late, but I’ve finally figured out what my New Year’s resolution should be. Like most naively idealistic women, I’d like to resolve to be a better mother, daughter, sister or friend. Or, at least I should be influential in the creation of world peace. But considering that it’s nearly impossible to assess my progress in those fields (or at least to appraise such personal developments within the first few weeks of the new year), I thought I’d better try something more immediately obvious, so as not to get discouraged and give up. And so arose my ultimate resolution, one that I hope will endure for the next 52 weeks. And it is…drum roll please….to stop letting my dirty dishes pile up in the sink.
It’s a terrible admission to make, but my sink is by far one of the dirtiest places in my home. The kitchen counters can be clean and the food can be put in its proper place, but for some reason, the dirty dishes always seem to pile up. And I have a dishwasher. I know my kids are not the culprits- at ages 3 and 1, they are far too short to reach the sink. So I must be guilty, at least partially. And it’s not just the dishes- it’s the dirt and grime associated with abandoned tableware that really grosses me out (which may be the reason I tend to ignore it, but that’s a totally different issue). So 2007 will be the year of the clean sink in my house. At least I hope it will.
I figured that if I want to keep my sink free of dirty dishes, the best way to start is to figure out why it is that I can’t seem to stay on top of the pile. I’ve concluded that one primary reason why I hate washing the dishes (or even rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher), is because I am seriously disgusted by the sponge that gets lost under the pile of dishes and attracts all of the leftover slime from the dishes. That realization was my first AHA! Moment. There IS something I can do about that: install a tip-out tray underneath my sink that will hold my sponges and prevent them from meeting their usual demise. For those who do not have a proper false cabinet in which to install a tip-out tray, a sponge holder that can suction onto the side of the sink may achieve the same objective. The caveat for both of these products, however, is that they must be used in order to be successful. Ok, so I’m going to make an effort to use it- after all, what’s the point of having it if it just sits there and looks pretty?
Next, I thought about how to make it easier (and less disgusting) to get the gunk out of my sink. For some people, a garbage disposal would be a perfect solution to this problem. But since I didn’t grow up with a garbage disposal, I was a bit wary of jumping on the technology bandwagon. I decided instead to install a pull-out garbage can in close proximity to the sink, so that I could easily scoop up the grime and dump it in. In my case, an empty cabinet right behind the sink made a perfect home for a large pull-out bin. However, those with limited cabinet space might want to consider a smaller, yet equally convenient pull-out trash bin to be installed directly under the sink, so that there’s no messy dripping when you have to dispose of the sink slime.
Lastly, I figured that after I stopped making excuses and blaming the dirty sponge and the grimy buildup in the sink, I should take responsibility for my own laziness and make a concerted effort to keep the sink tidier. Sure, there’s always something that needs to be done that can prevent me from clearing the dishes immediately. The kids are late to school in the morning, so I can’t put their breakfast bowls away. I’m too tired after dinner to clear the plates. There’s always something. But hopefully, if I make a New Year’s resolution to stay on top of the dishes, I’ll overcome my laziness and keep the sink clean.
There are 51 weeks left, and I’m taking it one day at a time. It may not be easy, but it’s the best (re)solution I can think of.

Posted on January 25th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Household Management | No Comments »

Most people will agree that there’s always something that needs to be cleaned or organized in the house. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have time to dust off the nooks and crannies of our bookshelves on a regular basis. Instead, we usually opt to settle down in front of a the latest reality TV show or curl up with a good book, figuring that we might as well enjoy the few minutes of free time we have at the end of the day. But let’s face it: there’s only so much television you can watch without getting that recurring nagging feeling reminding you that you really should be organizing one of the messy places that you allowed to get disorganized while you chose instead to watch American Idol week after week after week. Or maybe that’s just me. But don’t point fingers; you may have been watching 24.

Fortunately, there is a way in which you can have your cake and eat it too. Er, I mean, be a bit more organized and also have time to relax. In less than half an hour, you can probably organize your entire linen closet. All it takes is five easy steps. And when you’re done, you’ll still have enough time left to enjoy the rest of your night.

Step 1: Remove all linens from your closet that are torn, frayed, or faded. If you are too embarrassed to let your guests use them, why should you? Turn them into rags or chuck them in the trash, so that you can have easier access to the towels that you do use on a regular basis.

Step 2: Throw out all expired medicine. If you haven’t finished that bottle of Pepto-Bismol since 2004, you probably don’t need it. And, although I’m not a doctor, it’s probably advisable to get a new bottle for the twice a year when you actually do need it (maybe a smaller bottle too, so that less goes to waste when it does expire).

Step 3: Place your most frequently used towels and sheets on the shelves located at arms level so that they are easily accessible when you need them. Save the top shelves for bulky things that you use infrequently like extra quilts or the Ghostbusters sheets that your children don’t sleep on anymore. Stow your heaviest items, such as extra toiletries, on the lowermost shelves to avoid unpleasant shelf collapses or back strain when reaching for bulky items.

Step 4: Store your sheets in an organized fashion so that you don’t have to search for missing parts when it’s time to make the beds. I prefer stacking each fitted sheet with its corresponding top sheet so that I can pull them out with one easy motion. This saves me from having to unfold a sheet to figure out if it’s a fitted or flat sheet. Consider placing seasonal sheets, such as flannel sheets, on the bottom of the pile, since they are used the least frequently. I store my pillowcases at the top of the pile, since they don’t fold up to the same size as regular sheets and are the easiest to identify.

Step 5: Label each shelf so that your family members will know how to use them properly. A little plastic tag or a file label can make a big difference in the way that your linen closet stays organized. It will serve as an ever-present reminder of exactly how things should be replaced in the closet, so there will be no excuse for letting things get disorganized.

Posted on January 28th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: organizing tips | No Comments »

Buying flowers is a very romantic, albeit typical way to tell someone you love them. Ditto for sending a card, a box of chocolate, or even a nice piece of jewelry. Both men and women who have been married for a while will likely run out of original Valentine’s Day gift ideas, and may choose to abandon the gift-giving tradition in its entirety. This year, however, there’s no need to throw in the towel. Give your loved one something that he or she can appreciate for more than an hour, a day or a week- show someone you love them by investing your time to help make their lives more organized or tidy. In return, your loved one will likely be more willing to invest serious time into making you happy as well- a win-win situation for all.

For Him
I’ll be the first to admit that a neat apartment or freshly organized desk may not be what your man envisioned as his ideal Valentine’s Day gift. But if you think about it logically, there can be few better ways to show that you care. Taking the time to clean your man’s space as a surprise will show that you are invested and committed to the relationship. After all, anyone can buy a box of Godiva chocolates or something from Victoria’s Secret, even at the last moment. Forethought and planning on your part will demonstrate to your love interest that you have been thinking about him for an extended period of time, something that every man will find extremely seductive.
While the traditional romantic environment is often envisaged to include candles, rose petals and champagne, there’s no reason that you can’t start a new (and better!) tradition. Instead of placing rose petals strategically around your loved one’s dirty socks, why not show him how much more romantic rose petals can be when strewn around a clean and fresh-smelling room. Try this one. Turn his office into an aphrodisiac by straightening his papers, emptying his wastebasket and creating the space he never knew he had. Your efforts will likely not go unreciprocated.

For Her
It may be a sad fact of life, but I can think of no woman on earth who wouldn’t appreciate it if her man took time to clean up the house-without being told to do so. I can say from personal experience that when my husband goes to such great efforts, it is significantly more touching and romantic than a bouquet of flowers could ever be. For most women, the sheer surprise of such a gift would be enough to make her knees go weak. And I can prove that this is not an overstatement.
Why do you think it is that there are so many stereotypes and jokes about women sitting around and complaining that they work too hard both in and out of the home? Why do women believe that they age more quickly because of their strenuous physical exertion? Why do many marital spats result from women thinking that their husbands are too lazy and negligent when it comes to housework and cleaning up after themselves? Whether or not these notions are accurate or over-exaggerated, there is a small kernel of truth to every one of them.
Every once in a while, women would like to see their men take charge of the home, the kids and the dirty dishes. They would love to see that their man pays attention to their complaints and preferences once in a while. Any type of romantic gesture to this effect is sure to make any wife or girlfriend more appreciative of her man. And, as a side benefit, helping your woman out around the house will give her more energy so that she can focus more of her time and energy on you, instead of your laundry.

Posted on February 4th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Holiday Specials | No Comments »

Whenever somebody asks me if I have an idea for a get-rich-quick scheme, I always respond the same way. If I wanted to make a million bucks quickly, I’m pretty sure all I’d have to do is start selling socks in groups of three, instead of in pairs. It sounds so easy, and possibly a bit silly. But think about how many pairs of socks you’ve had to throw out because you can’t find the match, or because one has a hole. If you had a spare, you could increase the life of a pair of socks twofold, if not more. And all you’d have to spend is a dollar more on the initial investment. Ok, it may not be the most amazing plan, but there’s a great deal of truth behind my sarcasm. There must be a better way to hang onto a pair of socks, so that I’m not independently supporting Hanes.

To keep my kids’ socks in order, my mother thought she was doing me a favor- she bought them 12 pairs of the exact same white tube socks. I thought it was ingenious (and very generous). Until Hollie decided she didn’t like white tube socks, she only liked frilly socks or colored socks. I’m not kidding. Since when is a one-year-old entitled to an opinion? Well, I’ll tell you- since she kicked and screamed so much that I couldn’t get another white tube sock on her foot. Ok then, back to square one: how to stop losing socks.

I’ve thought of a few solutions to this problem, all of which are feasible with the right discipline, but none of them are foolproof if compromised even slightly. Try out one system, and if it doesn’t work, try another. With the right concentration, there’s bound to be an answer out there for everyone who is tired of wearing sandals or stockings for lack of better options.

1- Invest in a few mesh laundry bags and insist that everyone in the family put their socks into the mesh bag immediately upon removal from their feet. Store the bag apart from the regular hamper, so that all family members will be aware of its presence and remember to separate their socks. Refuse to wash any socks in a regular laundry until everyone in the house is accustomed to putting their socks in the bag. This should make it easier to keep them together and to find them after cleaning.

2- Place a basket on top of your dryer that will house all of your spare socks. When you are finished folding the laundry, DO NOT return spare socks to the drawer of their rightful owner. When you come across a sock without a mate, check the basket for the match. If none can be found, leave the sock in the basket until the next load (or two) of laundry is complete, and hopefully the second sock will surface. Voila- a pair of clean socks!

3- Be careful of putting only pairs of socks into the laundry machine. Of course, there are times that a stray sock gets stuck to another article of dirty clothing and inadvertently gets thrown into the wash without its mate. (The mesh bag system will likely prevent this phenomenon from occurring). In times like these, see Tip #2. Keep the stray sock on the top of the dryer until its mate is clean and ready for a reunion.

4- The safety pin method- keep a stash of safety pins in your bathroom or laundry room and make sure that your socks are pinned together tightly before running them through the spin cycle. This idea is likely to be successful, but it may be impractical for families with small children or those who will forget to replenish their stock of safety pins. In these circumstances, the ‘’mesh bag” option (see Tip #1) will probably be the best option.

5- If you haven’t found the match for a sock in over a month, throw out the original sock. For those like me who find it particularly difficult to part with anything that could, at some point, possibly be useful, this step may be exceptionally difficult. But it’s nearly impossible to rummage through a pile of stray socks that could clothe an army. It will surely be more productive in the long run to keep an eye out for those you’ve seen recently, rather than the ones that have been MIA for a significant amount of time.

Posted on February 11th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Household Management | 1 Comment »

Our new house doesn’t have a garage. So I may not be the most authoritative person about how to keep a garage neat and organized. On the other hand, without a garage, I know what I’m missing, and can appreciate a tidy garage perhaps even more than those who have let their garage’s cleanliness fall to the wayside. We currently have no place to store our bicycles, helmets or garden hose. There is no place to stash beach chairs, outdoor toys, sports equipment or spare tubs of car wax. Instead, we must think very carefully about where we want to store each one of these items so that they don’t end up sitting in our living room or overcrowding our coat closet. I firmly believe that if garage owners took as much care in storing their things as we do (by force, but still), there would be millions more neat garages out there. And who knows? There may even be room to store some more cars inside their intended homes, rather than on the street.

One of the most useful tools I’ve found that help organize garages are hooks that can be hung on the walls. Heavy-duty storage hooks are wonderful for storing hoses, hanging lounge or beach chairs, and stowing a variety of garden tools within a comfortable arm’s reach.

Items that are not easy to hang would benefit from wall-mounted shelves that can line the inside of your garage. Garage shelves should ideally be sturdy rather than beautiful, and can be made out of a simple piece of plywood and some brackets. Build shelves up to the ceiling to maximize your storage space. Garage shelves are also a great way to protect your items from the inevitable flood or water that is bound to seep into your garage. Whether you live in a region that suffers particularly harsh winters or in a relatively dry climate (where the requisite sprinkler system may accidentally get backed up and flood), water damage is a genuine threat to items stored in a garage. Keeping your things a few feet off the ground will save you significant time and energy when the water does hit.

To secure your bicycles in the garage (and make sure that they are out of the way of any cars that may enter), consider purchasing a bicycle rack for use inside your garage. As a victim of bicycle theft straight out my parents’ locked garage, I am now in favor of taking extra security measures to protect the things that we value the most. Keeping your bicycle chained up even inside your garage will provide it with a stable home in which it will always be out of the way. Perhaps more importantly, locking your bike inside your garage will provide extra security against thieves, especially for those inopportune times when somebody forgets to close the garage door, which may attract thieves directly to your bicycle.

To find your things with ease within your garage, it is worthwhile to organize your belongings according to their usage. Place all of the pool supplies or ski equipment in one area, and the car accessories in another. Make sure that the most frequently used items are easily within reach, and that dangerous items are out of the reach of small children. Throw away anything that is damaged, missing pieces or that you no longer use to make space for new gadgets or old ones that you need and have long been searching for.

Keep a stash of heavy-duty garbage storage bags in your garage so that you’ll always be able to refresh your inventory and remove things that you no longer need or want. Whether you’re donating old children’s toys or throwing away dried-out cans of paint, it’s easier to get things out of your garage when the bags are right there.

Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that having a garage is a gift. It saves you from having to store big, bulky or dirty items inside your (already full) home. Keeping your garage organized is a great way to maximize its use and enjoy it to the fullest extent.

Posted on February 19th, 2007 by Sari
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Do you have a friend who just can’t seem to get it together? He or she is always flustered, her house is always messy, or her nerves are always frayed? Perhaps it’s because he just increased his hours at work or she is having a difficult time adjusting to life with a new baby. Maybe an illness has disrupted the routine that used to govern the home or a vacation has nullified the monotony of daily life. No matter what the cause, I’m pretty sure that everyone knows at least one person like that, who tries and tries but just can’t seem to keep things under control. Over the past few years, I’ve known a few people like that, and I know from firsthand experience that it can be excruciating to watch a friend struggle. But there are things that the more organized and controlled among us can do to help our friends organize their homes or regain the control that they somehow managed to lose along the way.
One of the easiest ways to help a friend without spending a lot of money is to sit down with him or her and help him reorganize his house. Remind your friend what a tidy home looks and feels like and get him excited about reestablishing control. Or, for friends who have never seemed to have a handle on home organization, teach them what’s necessary to create an orderly space. Help them deposit the toys on their proper shelves, return the books to the bookcases and hang up their clothes in the closet. Such simple lessons can often be forgotten in the chaos of a life-changing situation. Although it often seems overwhelming to relearn these skills, a little help and patience from a friend can make the process significantly easier and more pleasant.
A single tutorial or home reformation undertaking may not be an adequate long term solution for a friend who has been unkempt for an extended period of time. For drastic cases such as these, a bit more creativity and investment may be necessary. Encourage your friend to purchase products that will help make her home more functional– pull out laundry hampers are an easy way to make the bathroom neater, instantly. Transparent plastic bins are perfect for storing toys or clothing that is out of season so that you can still see what is in the box. CD racks are ideal for storing the pile of CDs that has overtaken the family room. Closet organizers such as tie racks and shoe baskets are great ways for a busy executive to prevent his accessories from getting lost or wrinkled and to help overcome his predilection towards closet clutter.
If your friend procrastinates or refuses to make these purchases, you may be her hero by purchasing them yourself. Although they may be less fun than a new CD or a fabulous article of clothing, home organization products make perfect gifts for those who need an organizational boost. And because home organization products function properly for an extensive period of time, making such a purchase is tantamount to giving a gift that ‘keeps on giving’.
Keeping a tidy and organized home is a demanding task for even the most disciplined of people. But for many, the task can become overwhelming and even insurmountable. Don’t let your friends suffer alone- help them get control of their lives by offering easy and realistic solutions that can really make a difference.

Posted on February 26th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Household Management | No Comments »

Forever the optimist, I like to believe that once February hits, spring is on its way. After all, we’ve already been through four unpleasant months of rain, snow and generally unpleasant weather (ok, most of us have been- those who live in year-round warm weather have a right to gloat). But with the refreshing warmth of spring also comes the not-so-pleasant task of spring cleaning. And it’s never too early to start thinking about how to clean your house efficiently- or how much better it will look once the work is complete. Breaking your chores down into manageable tasks can help make spring cleaning less overwhelming and more realistic, so that you aren’t apprehensive about jumping right in.

- Begin by making a list of all the things that you plan on achieving during your cleaning.
- List each task separately so that you feel accomplished when you cross things off and so that you can finish things quickly without getting discouraged.
- Make a separate list of cleaning products and organizational tools that you will need throughout the cleaning process so that you will have everything on hand when you need it.
- Create a cleaning schedule whereby you make a little bit of progress each day. You won’t feel frustrated by spending hours on your hands and knees, and you’ll enjoy the tidy feel to your home each night.
- Find tasks that your children can partake in, and persuade them to participate. While you may not think it necessary to compensate your ‘child labor’ force with ice cream or a temporarily increased allowance, it’s probably worth the investment–teaching your children how to clean the house is an invaluable lesson that will hopefully stay with them forever.
- Make tasks that you dislike sound exciting to your children. My three year old, for example, loves to wipe down the base cabinets, and I detest getting down on my hands and knees (of course, she’s at a perfect height for that job, which really helps!)
- Buy a new CD (or two) in advance of the cleaning, to help make the experience a bit more pleasant. Soothing music may make the cleaning experience less grueling, or tunes with an upbeat tempo may be a wonderful accompaniment to a rigorous physical chore. No matter what your musical preferences are, breaking up the boredom with music is a perfect way to make spring-cleaning a much more tolerable endeavor.

Posted on March 7th, 2007 by Sari
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It’s happened again. You’re on your way out the door, late for work, and you can’t seem to find your keys. They’re not in your briefcase, purse or jacket pocket. They’re not in the pocket of yesterday’s pants. Nor are they on the kitchen table, the counter, or the floor. You’ve tried installing a homing device on your keychain, but somehow, the battery always dies, or the keys are always located out of range. Oh, that’s right! You brought them into the bathroom for a last minute check on your way out the door. Or worse, your kids found them and threw them in the bathtub. (Stop laughing, that actually happened to me). After breathing a sigh of relief, you think to yourself, there MUST be a better way. Guess what? THERE IS!

The easiest way to keep track of your keys is to designate a spot for them in the entrance of your house, and make a supreme effort to put them there. A wall-mounted glass shelf will make a beautiful addition to any foyer or mudroom, and will be a visible reminder to drop your keys off in their new home. I also like to keep my sunglasses on my key shelf, because I seldom need them in the house, but always need them outside, and sometimes I forget to grab them if I don’t see them sitting by the door. Alternatively, consider installing a number of hooks in your front hall, so that each member of the family will have his or her own place to hang his key. This system will also help to prevent your spouse or child from grabbing your key ring by mistake. It’s amazing how easy it is to just drop your keys off on your way into the house, and grab them on the way out, without thinking about it.

If your house has no room for a key shelf or key hook system, consider putting a small basket on the lowest shelf of your coat closet, and storing your keys in there. The basket will prevent your keys from getting knocked to the back of the closet or falling on the floor, and seeing it while you hang up your coat or stash your bag in the closet will prompt you to put your keys away.

Keeping your keys in their proper place is a wonderful habit to get into. It will literally save you hours of stress and worry over the course of your life. It will also prevent children from being able to grab your keys and hide them in the toilet, the garbage, or any one of a million other places you’d never think to look.

Posted on March 11th, 2007 by Sari
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As the birth of our third child rapidly approaches, it suddenly seems like a good time to start making room for baby. Although I’m not a first-time parent, I’m still amazed by how the clothing and paraphernalia of such a tiny being can take up almost as much space as my full-sized ‘grown-up’ clothing. And yet, while this is likely to remain one of the greatest mysteries of all time, I find myself left with no choice but to banish my face cream, extra shampoo and makeup bag to make space in the bathroom for Balmex, wipes and baby lotion.
When my first daughter was born, it was relatively easy to make room for all of her things. We just dumped it all into the new nursery and called it a day. When my second daughter was born, it was a bit more challenging, since we’d already accumulated a warehouse-worthy amount of dolls, books and clothing. Luckily, we had enough space to put both girls in the same room, so I just shoved everything aside and made way for more. But now…the girls’ room is busting at the seams and the playroom has runneth over. Where will all of the new things go?
The primary places where I’ve come to stash baby supplies are in the playroom, the baby’s bedroom and the bathroom where I bathe and change the baby. So I figure that to make room for another one, the best way to start is by cleaning out those areas. After thinking about it for a while, I’ve actually realized that it may not be that difficult to make room after all- by itemizing a list of things that can be moved or discarded, I’ve discovered a wealth of space that I never knew I had!

- Make room for baby’s diapers, creams and medicines in the bathroom by cleaning out your bathroom cabinet (a good thing to do on occasion even if you’re not expecting a baby). Discard all expired items to make space for new ones.
- Move extra toiletries and supplies into your linen closet, or make room for them on a shelf in your clothes closet. It’s always frustrating to finish baby’s bath and realize that you don’t have a clean diaper handy. Making sure that you have enough space in your cabinet to accommodate a stack of diapers will preclude this frustration.
- Consider moving your own toiletries and bathroom accessories to a higher shelf and placing baby’s belongings on lower shelves. Chances are that when you’re changing or cleaning your baby, you’ll be on the floor or at waist level, and your life will be significantly easier if everything you need is easily accessible.
- Create extra space in the playroom by removing any toys or games that are broken or whose pieces have mysteriously disappeared over time.
- Toys or dolls that your older children don’t like to play with (especially ones that make annoying noises) can likely be removed as well, and donated to children in need or to the local thrift shop. Don’t feel obligated to save every doll for your next baby’s enjoyment- he or she will likely receive many of his own stuffed animals. (And he’ll never know what he’s missing, in any event).
- Donate or dispose of any old baby clothes that you probably won’t reuse for your next child, to make room for the new baby’s wardrobe. If you don’t know the gender of your baby, this task may be especially difficult, if not impossible. However, many parents have saved their children’s stained and stretched out clothing in the hopes that one day they’ll be worn again. I can tell you from firsthand experience that faced with a choice between a beloved but battered outfit and new clothing that may not be the most adorable, I’d sooner dress my newborn in an outfit that does not look worn, shabby or stained. Removing damaged clothing from your baby’s possible repertoire now will not only make more room for new clothing, but will make the daily clothing selection process significantly easier in the future.

Preparing for a baby (or another baby) is an extremely exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. Breaking it down into manageable tasks will enable you to realize that just as you will never run out of love for your child, you will also never run out of space.

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by Sarah
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For many people, getting out of the house on time each morning- with everything that they’ll need for the workday- can really be a challenge. How many times have you neglected to take your medicine, left your lunch on the counter or wasted time in the morning searching for your keys? With a bit of forethought, these types of blunders and mistakes are easily preventable- and your morning can become a bit calmer instead of crazier.

The best way to fight the morning frenzy is to prepare for your morning the night before. While it may be difficult to get everything ready when you’re weary from a long day, a bit of advance planning can go a long way to start your next day off on the right foot. Pack your children’s lunches- and your own- the night before, so that it’s easy to grab on your way out the door. If your food choices do not need to be refrigerated, place them directly into your briefcase or your children’s backpacks, so that you won’t forget them in the morning. If they do require a refrigerator, place your prepared lunches next to the milk, so that you won’t forget them when you return the milk to the fridge after breakfast. Make sure that everyone in the family has a unique looking lunch box, so that nobody will get stuck with a peanut butter sandwich when they really wanted a salad.

Lay out your clothing the night before, so that in the morning you only have to put it on. Make sure that it’s not wrinkled, stained or missing any buttons, so that you won’t have to make a quick change in the morning. Do the same for your children’s clothing. If your child insists on picking out his or her own clothes, add the clothing selection process to his bedtime routine, so there will be no delays or surprises in the morning. Remember to include socks, belts, shoes, hair clips and accessories in your pile of clothing, so that nothing gets overlooked or forgotten in the morning.

Make sure that your keys are stored with your coat, briefcase or lunch before you go to bed. If you can’t find them at night you probably won’t be able to find them in the morning, when you’re scrambling to catch a bus or train. Taking a few extra minutes of time to find your keys at night will save you significant frustration in the morning.

Invest in an electric hotpot that will provide you with many cups of hot water on demand. This will save you from having to boil water for your coffee, tea or oatmeal. Set the table with cereal bowls the night before, and place all vitamins and medications next to each person’s designated bowl, so that nobody will forget his pills.

If you’ve removed any work-related documents from your briefcase during the evening, make sure they’re safely returned to your bag before bed. The same rule applies to children’s books and homework assignments. There should be no reason to forget your important files or homework at home.

In the morning, wake up a few minutes earlier than your children so that you can take care of yourself before they start pulling at you. Keep a stock of prepared breakfast options such as yogurt shakes, cereal bars and juice boxes that can be eaten on the run in case of an extreme delay.

Avoid switching on the television, which will likely be a distraction for both children and adults. It will be easier to get out the door in the morning if you remain focused, driven and ready to start your day.

Posted on March 27th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Living Organized | No Comments »