It seems incredibly unfair that some moms appear graced with the innate ability to be on top of all things at all times; whilst the rest of us are left to stumble along and ultimately end up somewhere late, rumpled, and without the designated snacks. Is it too late to join the organized party?
Welcome back to Erin Bhur from Bambini Travel, who is contributing a short Home Organisation series here at Crafty Kids at Home. Erin has been sharing her tips and experiences on Home Organisation Hacks for Moms like you. Last weeks post Nap Time is NOT for Cleaning proved very popular.
Home Organization Hacks for Busy Moms
I think anyone can be organized, if they master these 7 secrets.
Could it be true that there is something in our DNA that helps to make us organized or disorganized? If there’s research on this I would be fascinated to read it. I, however, think that it is a trainable skill.
It is helpful if your parents take you aside and teach you these skills.
Parents can teach their children from a young age to;
- Put things back where they belong.
- Clean a space before they leave it.
- Make chores a priority.
- Read a calendar.
What if you didn’t learn as a child? Can you pick these things up later?
I would say a resounding YES.
So what is it that organized people know that other people don’t?
7 Secrets that Organized Moms Know
The work is worth it.
This is the first one because it is the basis for all else. Everything below is probably going to sound like work to put in place and you are going to be SO tempted to just move on to something else. But the work to get there makes life immeasurably easier.
Put things back where they belong.
The first step is for everything to have a place it belongs. This can take some time, so once it is established just make sure you don’t have to do it all over again! I read something once that said, if it is going to take you less than 2 minutes, just do it now.
I know how annoying it is to file things or walk into the next room to put something away, but I make myself do it because filing an entire stack of papers is ever so much harder.
Do things right away.
The best example is when you go get the mail. Go through it right away. Re-cycle whatever you don’t need. Invitations or other things with dates, write on your calendar immediately. Have a place for magazines, a place for bills, etc and put the mail there so it doesn’t pile up on the counter.
Use a list with dates and reminders.
A never ending laundry list of things you need to do will not keep you organized. Use a calendar or an app on your phone. I use Wunderlist for lists and the GETTOWORK book to plan out projects, but there are a lot of options out there.
Put the things you need to do in there religiously and always include a date and reminder. For instance, if your kid is invited to a birthday party, write the birthday party and address in your calendar. Then put a reminder on your phone to go buy a card and present about a week before on a day you have some free time.
Have a backup ready.
This is a simple one to implement. Rather than wait for things to run out and then replace them, replace the backup when you open the last one.
One example is cards. Months fly past us and each one has birthdays, births, deaths, weddings, hardships, and gifts. It is helpful to have a stash of cards on hand to address all of these. There will be times when you are able to run out and get the perfect card to match the perfect person or occasion, but more often than not you will forget or run out of time, that is just life. Rather than not send a card or stress yourself out trying to find one, have on hand a nice card for each major event.
AND when you use the card, but a note in your list to buy a replacement the next time you are at Target or wherever you buy your cards.
Keep running shopping lists.
Speaking of Target, there are two things you should always have with you – a list of everyone in your family’s sizes and a running list of anything non-essential that you need. Some things you need right away. There are other things that can wait, but when you are walking the endless aisles of Target or wherever you shop, you will not be able to remember.
Have a list with things you are about to run out of, things you need to replace, etc. When you open that last package of toilet paper – put it on there. When you open the last toothpaste – put it on there. When you know birthday season is approaching – put wrapping paper on your list.
Know when to let go.
There is no such thing as perfection. Not in life or with organization. No one person can truly “do it all.” The secret to this is being able to let go of things. Some things on your list are just going to get erased. Some parties cannot be attended. Some designated snacks are going to be purchased at the grocery store. That is ok. Being organized is NOT being perfect.
Erin Buhr has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and works as a freelance writer and early childhood educator. She currently lives in Mississippi with husband and twin four year olds. You can follow Erin over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.
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