by The Organizer Lady dot com on November 5, 2009
When you’re the woman of the house, it’s often expected that you’re going to be the one primarily in charge of keeping the home clean and running smoothly. You may not be able to do everything, however, and really need to get the whole family to help you get organized.
Division of labor in the home is one topic that causes stress among families. The man of the house often feels that the house is the woman’s domain and therefore he shouldn’t have to help. And we know what happens when we ask the children to help with chores. You’d think we asked them to walk over broken glass or something equally sinister.
The problem with organizing the home and delegation of chores is that you may work away from the home as well. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, that doesn’t mean you’re the only one who does the work. If everyone made the clutter or the mess, it only makes sense that everyone in the family should help to organize and clean.
First, getting the whole family to help you get organized will take some effort. Be sure not to nag and coerce them into helping just to get to you stop nagging. They’ll only resent you for it. Ask them to help, giving them tasks they may find enjoyable, or at least not completely boring.
If you can get everyone to take care of their own messes, it will make your job easier. Have them put their own clothes in the hamper instead of leaving them on the floor, take their dishes to the sink when they’re done, and clean up anything they spill. Help them remember that you’re not a slave and that everyone in the family is expected to chip in with the chores.
When your children are younger, you may have to spend extra time teaching them how to clean and organize their own things. The effort, if they are receptive to learning, will be well worth it in the future. You won’t have to worry about their being able to take care of their own things, they will be less likely to lose them, and they’ll be better prepared to live on their own when the time comes.
Staying organized, at least as far as being where you’re supposed to be on time, will be easier if everyone knows how to read a calendar. Whenever the children bring home a paper with an important date to remember, transfer it to a family calendar. Color-code the calendar so everyone has their own color. You’ll all be able to look at the calendar and quickly see if you have something to do that day.
To help keep the home organized and running smoothly, you may have to get creative. Your goal is to help everyone learn personal responsibility even if that means being tough when someone doesn’t pitch in. Encourage each family member in a way that will appeal and you’re closer to getting the whole family to help you get organized and clean up the house.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The Organize Lady Recommends:
Ultimate Ornament Box - 44 Compartments
by The Organizer Lady dot com on October 6, 2009
Every fall I look forward to getting things organized and cleaned up around our home as the holidays are just around the corner. I like to set aside one full weekend in early October just for our fall cleaning.
As a housewife, I don’t tackle this job myself. There is no reason why your spouse and children can’t do their fair share of the work…after all, they live in the house too.
Here are a few important tips to help things go smoothly.
1. If you can afford it, do a few takeout meals during the weekend. This will save you time plus it acts as a family reward for your cleaning participants.
2. Make the weekend fun. Play music, joke around with the family and keep it light-hearted. Don’t run around barking orders and rushing to get things done.
3. As a family, sit down before your cleaning starts and decide what the family reward will be. We always picked things like a new television, stereo, comfy chair, trampoline for the backyard, etc. Your family reward can be something inexpensive or expensive…but it should be something that the entire family can enjoy.
4. Have a prepared list of chores that you want to get done. Have each family member select a few of those items that he/she can complete. Try to equally split up the tasks. Smaller children can assist the older children or parents. Cross off each task on the list as it is completed.
5. If you need cleaning or home repair supplies, purchase them ahead of time. You don’t want to waste time during your weekend running around shopping for supplies, when your time should be spent on completing your tasks.
If you start when your children are young and make this a family event, over the years this will become a regular fall routine. Our daughter knew that the weekend was approaching and would keep her schedule free. This ‘routine’ saved us a lot of stress as every family member knew what was expected from them ahead of time.
The most important thing to remember is…be prepared and be organized. If you preplan your family cleaning weekend, you will find that things will be a lot less stressful for everyone involved.
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com
Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in central Pennsylvania. You can visit Shelly online for family and working from home articles and tips at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com or Shelly’s recipe blog at wahmshelly.blogspot.com for free family friendly recipes.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The Organize Lady Recommends:
Ultimate Ornament Box - 44 Compartments
by The Organizer Lady dot com on January 1, 2009
Routines are great for helping us get everything done so we can get out of the house on time each morning. Did you know that you can use routines to make a house run smoother, too?
Sometimes the best morning routines start the night before. If everyone in the family can get into the habit of selecting the clothes they want to wear the next day, it will make your morning run much smoother. You may even be able to get everyone out of the house on time and with little fussing.
Take time to develop a schedule that the entire family can follow. Find a calendar that has large squares to write in. Write down all regular family events such as practices or games if your children are involved in sports, scouting activities, weekly dates with your spouse, or religious activities if your family attends.
Determine which days certain household tasks must be performed. You may want to spend time each day cleaning a certain room in your home rather than waiting until the weekend to do everything. Do laundry one day, vacuuming and dusting another, clean the bathrooms on another day. You get the idea. If you have everything planned and do it the same way every week, it will soon become routine and you won’t even have to think about it.
One day each week, create a meal plan so you know what you’re going to eat. Write down what items are needed for each meal. This will give you an idea of what you need from the store. While you’re in the “food mood,” take the time to make your grocery shopping list and gather any coupons you may need. By having a plan and a list, this will allow anyone who cooks to be able to make dinner even if you’re not home to do it.
Having your meals planned out will also make it easier for you to get your family fed each day. You’ll know what you need to take out of the freezer, you can put everything in the crock pot to cook during the day, and you won’t have to make trips to the store on the way home.
After the evening meal, plan on setting aside time to enjoy as a family. Establish one night for family fun and games. Watch a movie or play board games. Have some fun with your family and watch the dynamics of your family change.
Set a bed time for everyone. Of course, you and your spouse will be able to stay up later than your young children, but everyone will benefit from getting to bed at the same time each night.
Creating routines to help your house run smoother is something every family can do. If you’re consistent in following the routines you’ve established, your day will run smoother and so will your house. It may take time to make the routines habit but the effort will definitely be worth it.
Popularity: 27% [?]
The Organize Lady Recommends:
Ultimate Ornament Box - 44 Compartments
by The Organizer Lady dot com on December 27, 2008
When you’re the woman of the house, it’s often expected that you’re going to be the one primarily in charge of keeping the home clean and running smoothly. You may not be able to do everything, however, and really need to get the whole family to help you get organized.
Division of labor in the home is one topic that causes stress among families. The man of the house often feels that the house is the woman’s domain and therefore he shouldn’t have to help. And we know what happens when we ask the children to help with chores. You’d think we asked them to walk over broken glass or something equally sinister.
The problem with organizing the home and delegation of chores is that you may work away from the home as well. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, that doesn’t mean you’re the only one who does the work. If everyone made the clutter or the mess, it only makes sense that everyone in the family should help to organize and clean.
First, getting the whole family to help you get organized will take some effort. Be sure not to nag and coerce them into helping just to get to you stop nagging. They’ll only resent you for it. Ask them to help, giving them tasks they may find enjoyable, or at least not completely boring.
If you can get everyone to take care of their own messes, it will make your job easier. Have them put their own clothes in the hamper instead of leaving them on the floor, take their dishes to the sink when they’re done, and clean up anything they spill. Help them remember that you’re not a slave and that everyone in the family is expected to chip in with the chores.
When your children are younger, you may have to spend extra time teaching them how to clean and organize their own things. The effort, if they are receptive to learning, will be well worth it in the future. You won’t have to worry about their being able to take care of their own things, they will be less likely to lose them, and they’ll be better prepared to live on their own when the time comes.
Staying organized, at least as far as being where you’re supposed to be on time, will be easier if everyone knows how to read a calendar. Whenever the children bring home a paper with an important date to remember, transfer it to a family calendar. Color-code the calendar so everyone has their own color. You’ll all be able to look at the calendar and quickly see if you have something to do that day.
To help keep the home organized and running smoothly, you may have to get creative. Your goal is to help everyone learn personal responsibility even if that means being tough when someone doesn’t pitch in. Encourage each family member in a way that will appeal and you’re closer to getting the whole family to help you get organized and clean up the house.
Popularity: 28% [?]
The Organize Lady Recommends:
Ultimate Ornament Box - 44 Compartments
