2007 December | The Organizer Lady

Having a family with young kids can be trying when it comes to organizing the home and keeping the home organized. Trying to find storage space can be just as trying.

The number one thing is for the whole family to be involved in helping. Having little children doesn’t mean they can’t help clean up behind themselves. It’s great that the kids help with the chores. It’s important to KEEP cleaning as you go, rather than putting things off. That helps a ton!

For the laundry issue…. every time there is a load of clothes, wash. Get rid of clothes that don’t fit anymore or box them up if they are to be handed down and store them. Towels used for bathing can be hung up to dry and reused. after all after a bath a body is supposed to be clean so the towel used to dry with will be clean.

Having a ton of clothes is really something that’s not necessary. You of course need and want enough to make do with, but having more clothes than you can possibly wear is a waste of closet and drawer space. If you have THAT many clothes, clean out.

Go through things like the clothes, toys, dishes, etc, and clean out what you don’t use or just don’t need. When you make a new purchase, on say sheets for example, throw out the worn out ones or cut them up and use them as dust clothes. When replacing things, get rid of what’s being replaced.

Storage issues can be a real problem for some homes. Get a multi hook rack for bedroom doors for jammies and jackets and such. Get some plastic storage boxes that are made to slide under the beds for extra blankets, freeing up closet space. Get plastic storage containers for the kids toys so they are in one place. Out of season clothes can be stored in these in the closet too, and they stack nicely (but not for the little ones!)

Bills can be organized easily by putting them in a letter stacker or small box, in order of what’s due first or what you intend to pay first and when. When mail comes in, go through it right then and file the bills in the bill paying organizer or toss junk mail.

The main thing is to stress to the entire family that everything has a home, a place it goes. When it’s not being used, it’s put in its proper place, not just put down and let here or there. Clean clothes are kept put up, dirty clothes go in the hamper until there’s a load then washed and dried, then put up. Toys that aren’t being played with are put up. If a mess is made in the bathroom, it’s cleaned up then and there, not left.

The storage issue is one that will usually require spending a few dollars to get some items to store and organize…. storage containers, boxes, chests, drawers, book shelves, CD holders, bill holders, etc.

Once you get into a routine and the family is in a routine, staying organized will become normal and natural.

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