How to Organize your Kids

This is the third of my 4 topic specific blogs as voted by you! How does one organize their kids? It's a lot like parenting consistency and patience ;)

Here are several tips on how to keep the household organized including the
kids:

~ Have a poster/list of all the tasks the kids need to do before "free time" such as, homework, clothes in hamper, brush teeth, put out garbage, load dish washer/unload dishwasher etc.

~ Prepare lunches for next day the night before, have home work and back packs ready to go night before and ready at the front door or even in vehicle.

~ Have 5 outfits ready for the week, cleaned, ironed if needed and have them in closet ready for wearing...you may want to try this for yourself too.

~ Have a designated area with files or a basket/box for each family member for papers to go, class trip slips, class fundraiser info., parent teacher meeting schedule, etc. Make a point of checking it daily at the same time everyday ie. when kids are home from school working on homework.

~ For older children help them schedule and prioritize their week and tasks needing to get done, homework, dance classes, group projects, volunteer shifts.

~ Organize kids toys 5 easy steps:

1. Separate all your kids' toys into categories. Building blocks, tools, dolls, reading materials, action figures and cooking items are all toy categories.

2. Make a list of your categories. List in the broadest possible terms. For example, you'll likely keep Barbie dolls and accessories together.

3. Decide on the best container (box, basket, bin) to hold each category. Clear, plastic storage boxes are the best choice for most toys, you can label them with pictures of the toys inside them as well for younger children learning to read. Consider a rolling cart for toys that kids like to move throughout your home.

4. Gather each category and measure. For example, stack all the building blocks. Measure dimensions and find or buy appropriate containers.

5. Set it up. Each toy should be categorized and should have a home to make clean up quicker and easier. If children know exactly where things belong, they are more likely to put them away.

~ Before bedtime have the kids involved in 10 minutes of tidy up time and make sure all their belongings make it back to their rooms and/or toy boxes/bins.

~ Make your night routine a routine, homework, play, dinner, play, bath, stories and bedtime.  Children do well in routines and look forward to them. Make time to be with your children for at least 30 minutes a night/day.

~ Use your family Message Centre to show upcoming events; birthdays, skating lessons, dance competition, picture day, etc. so the children are aware of what is coming up in the week or month.  You can use stickers for younger children so they learn the days of the week and that a cake sticker is a birthday, a book is library day etc.

I hope this helps you busy moms out.  Stay consistent and always let your kids know what they will be doing next as the day and night unfolds so there are no surprises for them and things run smoothly ie.  we have 15 minutes until it is bath time.  Let me know what keeps you and your family organized, share your tips for other moms!

Tips on How to Organize Your Kitchen

I surveyed my peeps on Facebook on what they would like tips about, on how to organize different areas of the house; kitchens were the second. So here are some fabulous tips on how to de-clutter and keep your kitchen organized!

1.      Get rid of all items you do not use anymore or you have duplicates of. Donate them to a local charity or see if anyone you know needs it. (do you really use your melon baller often? Do you need 2 of them?)

2.      Fix or replace items that are broken or not working well for you. (pot always rattles, handle keeps loosening) 

3.      When storing items store them close to where you use them, plates near table, glasses near fridge, knives near cutting boards and counter space where you chop food. If you do not use it daily take it off your counters. You need space on your counters for working on and are cleaning them regularly who wants to keep moving items out of the way when doing this. If you use items seasonally, Hanukkah, Christmas, Easter etc. store these items in the basement, attic or in the pantry if it is large enough to house these items. Store appliances used rarely in the basement or attic as well.


4.      When storing items store them with like items, create "stations"

Storage or pantry. Consider your freezer an extension of this area. Whether you store foods in a true pantry, a cabinet, a closet, or someplace else entirely, don't forget to go through periodically and clear out items that are hopelessly old or will never be used.

Preparation. Cutting board, knives, measuring cups and spoons, and mixing bowls all go here.

Cooking. The stove and oven plus the utensils that go with them. This area should include pots and pans, pot holders, spoons and spatulas (a utensil jar works well for these).

Baking. If you love to bake, you might find it handy to store your flour, sugar, baking powder, a set of measuring cups and spoons, your favorite mixing bowl, etc. together in one convenient spot.

Serving. The table, plus tableware, serving dishes, napkins, trivets, and anything else you need to sit down and eat. Soy sauce? Salt and pepper shakers? Sugar bowl? Ask yourself whether it would be more convenient to store your dishes and silverware near the table or the dishwasher.

Cleaning. The sink, dishwasher and surroundings. Soap, gloves, dishpan, drying rack, cleansers, towels, etc.

Waste disposal. Keep a garbage can handy, plus recycling and compost bins, too. Locate them as centrally as possible without being in the way. They should go near the cleaning and food preparation areas.

5.       Go through your cookbooks and keep in the kitchen only the ones you use regularly.  Seasonal cookbooks can be stored with your holiday dinnerware.  Others can be kept elsewhere or given away.

6.       Paper, papers and more paper.  If all forms of papers, ie. mail, receipts, report cards etc end up in the kitchen you have 2 options admit it and create a paper friendly zone in the kitchen to organize them properly or create a space between the front door and the kitchen to store said papers. Make sure you have a sorting through time set up for this area so it does not pile up too high ;) say weekly.

7.       Clean as you go. When you clear one drawer or shelf, wipe out the crumbs before replacing the contents. Cleaning a little at a time makes it less of a chore.

Ongoing tips to make life easier:  
when filling dishwasher put your items with like items, forks with forks, knives with knives etc.  makes a quicker job when emptying.

How many glasses do you really use between dish washing?  Store only as many as you regularly use (glasses, dishes, wine glasses), and place the extras in storage, or donate.

Make a list. Tattered dishcloths? Out of soap? As you go, write down supplies you find lacking or worn out. Also write down side projects that you find as you go (such as fixing a wobbly table leg). Keep list handy so when you have time you can tackle each project as you go.


Clean and organize your fridge and freezer.  Do a quick upkeep once a week on garbage day.  If you don't use it, get rid of it.

I hope you can find some tips you are not already using and create that serene and organized kitchen you deserve. My next tips blog will be on Kids and organizing :)

Tips on how to Organize your Office

I polled my peeps on Facebook and this topic was the winner! I am not shocked as many of my friends are working women who most likely work for themselves and need every trick in the book to keep the office tidy and therefore easier to stay focused on work and not de-cluttering or searching for items.

Here are some tips to keep your office in good working shape :)

Purge your office space, go through it all and get rid of what you don't need nor use. This includes, furniture, knick knacks, equipment, papers etc.

Put every item where it belongs and make a commitment to self to get something from its spot and return it to its spot when finished with it.

Think of what you use regularly and have those items stored close at hand.

Time to organize and clear off your desk, make it as streamlined as possible. Use desktop organizers or containers to organize the items on your desk. Use trays for papers, containers for smaller items.

Organize your drawers, put items used together in the same drawer space, stamps with envelopes, sticky pads with notepads, etc. Use drawer organizers for little items, such as; paper clips, tacks, elastics etc. Use a separate drawer for personal items.

You can "zone out your office into areas. Where you do most of your work, usually your desk, research/reference zone your filing cabinets and book shelves, a supply zone, usually cupboards and closets. Make sure the appropriate items are in their zones.

Separate in-boxes – If you work regularly with other people create a folder, tray, or inbox for each.

Assign discard dates – You don’t need to keep every piece of paper indefinitely. Mark on files or documents when they can be tossed or shredded. Some legal or financial documents must be kept for specified length of time. Make sure you know what those requirements are.

Storage boxes – Use inexpensive storage boxes to keep archived files and get them out of your current file space.

Reading folder – If you read magazines for work related articles do yourself a favour go through the table of contents, highlight articles you want to read, then tear those articles out, staple them and add to your file called "to read" and recycle the rest of the magazine or use it in arts in crafts with the kids.

Archive files – When a project is complete, put all of the materials together and file them away. Keep your “working folders” for projects in progress

Put all of your hanging file labels to the same side...this will be easier to look through and your eyes will be happier for it! Also use clear tabs not coloured ones, they are hard to read through ;)

Keep a list of all your file names nearby so you do not duplicate one or go looking for papers in the wrong file.

Have a file for all your office equipment's manuals, on front cover date it and or attach receipt. Label file as "office equipment" by all means do this for all household equipment/appliances.

To re-do your filing system write out all the file names, see what can be condensed, deleted, and added. Do it on paper first.

Forget "pending files." Items placed there are often forgotten. Try "consider" and "holding" files instead. "Consider" is for anything you want to consider doing or buying (concert, computer software, etc). "Holding" is for an item which you will take action on in the future. Be sure to note it in your calendar!

Organize your office by category. For example, place all your marketing files and information in one place. Put all your financial paperwork together. This will help you focus on one project at a time. It is also a time-saver. 

Get a simple label maker and label binders, drawers, containers so it reminds you where items are but also is helpful for others if they need to find something in your office.

Always keep your business cards handy, in a holder on your desk, in your top drawer.

When sorting through mail do it when you have time, no interruptions so you can avoid the risk of piling. File items immediately.

Keep all your ideas, lists, to-do's and notes all in one planner or notebook this will keep you on track and organized.

When going through a pile of papers remove and file the larger ones first this will keep you motivated as your pile will shrink faster than you thought it would.

When reading articles, memos, letters, use a highlighter to highlight the important part of said item so you can refer back to it quickly and do not need to re-read in its entirety.

If in a meeting take notes and highlight where you need to take action therefore it will not be missed nor forgotten.
At the end of each day take 10 minutes to straighten up your desk, make sure everything is placed where it belongs.  You will be thankful the next morning when you come back to the office.

I hope this is helpful and inspires folks to get started on their offices...I know I have a few things to re-do and purge!  Please share your tips in the comments below!  Also take before and after shots of all your hard work and share them ~ inspire others  :)