Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Homework

Kids homework and reading times should be at the same time each day. This could be regarded as "quiet time" for the whole family, with the TV turned off. The homework area should be stocked with pencils, paper, a sharpener, markers or what ever may be needed.

School activities, after-school activities, shopping, car or dental appointments should all be posted in a stationary, central location that is easy to see. This works to help co-ordinate, serves as a reminder, and is easy to update.
Home bill management can be handled in the same way. Possibly use a file box which is in sight, and then also, in mind.

Toys

Storage baskets that slide under a child’s bed or placed on a shelving unit in a closet or “wreck” room are great for organizing toys. These baskets make clean up/put away easy.
The wheeled plastic storage boxes meant for under-the-bed storage are great for Lego or Mega-blocks. Kids can find the pieces they are looking for without dumping everything out.
The plastic “dressers” work great for dolls and action figures.

The Kitchen

Make a list for your kitchen. What pots or utensils do you want or need that you don’t have. What spices and pantry supplies have you meant to buy? Reorganize your cooking area with what you will use and remove what you know you never will. This plan is also great for a home office.

Closets

Look at your clothing with a knowledgeable eye. Pick the style or two that you gravitate toward. Build a wardrobe from the fabric, cut, and choices, you prefer. Keep a couple of spare outfits for emergencies or special occasions and root out the rest. Hard to do, but so worth it.

Regardless of how many neatly counted pairs of mitts and gloves were put into drawers and bins, there was always only one glove when my kids needed a pair at bus time. A clear plastic shoe organizer (the kind with vertical pockets) hung on the closet door erased the mitten stress.

Personal Items

A small bin in a main family area for each person’s “left” belongings makes tidying a breeze.

Separate laundry baskets for each person will organize the “who owns it” you're busy tag a load of laundry to evening meal preparation.

A small tray placed under kids toothpaste and toothbrushes can be easily cleaned and soaked.

Exercise equipment is used more often when it is free of obstacles around it, or on it. It also helps if there is a TV or stereo nearby.

Staying Organized

Once a week reset your home. Monday, put away things that have strayed from their place. Tuesday, wipe the refrigerator and get rid of the leftovers no one wants. Wednesday, dust or clean surfaces. Thursday, deal with lists and paper piles. Friday, give your stove and bathroom a little extra attention. Saturday, floors. Sunday rest. Make it a family thing.

Making an effort not to leave empty cans and peels on the counter until you finish cooking, or not leaving empty mugs and snack containers on the counter to wash eventually has huge pay-offs in mental comfort later.

There is a current curiosity in Feng Shui. I believe when your environment feels comfortable and generally clutter free, your eye will direct you to what needs tending, and when.

Sometimes piles of confusion can make you feel like running the other way, but if you face the monster head-on it’s never as bad as it looks.

Research shows that behaviors practiced for three weeks will “create fresh neural pathways” and develop habits or routines.