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10 Tips to organize your home - sounds simple doesn’t it? Well if you have two young children and a busy hectic lifestyle then it becomes a question of finding the “time”. My Husband and myself have agreed after numerous discussions that it’s best done as a “routine” - take that as Tip#1.

Tip #1- Get into a Routine

Sounds simple doesn’t it – well take it from me it’s one of the hardest tasks to do. Children tend to disrupt the routine – well just adjust it to suit the time that you feel less tired and encourage your spouse to help as part of the routine (I know this can also be a challenge!)

Tip #2- Make a “To do List”

Make a “to do list”. As a teacher, I have always found this has helped me “organize” my day at school for lessons planning, staff meetings and have always found it effective – so, guess what? I now do it for organizing the home. I’ve found that if I make a list of 6 items of importance – I get them done!

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Tip #3 – Teach Discipline Discipline, I hear you say! Yes, I have found that when I am strict with my husband and children as to where things MUST go – it then becomes “habitual”. For example, with the children if they have left any toys lying around after playing with them I encourage them to put them away in their “tidy box” or on the shelf. However, I find that I hardly ever have to do that now!

Tip #4 - Make Organizing Fun

When I was discussing with my Husband what would he put in as the 10 tips to organize your home he said make it fun. Yes, FUN. Why you may ask? – well it’s human nature! As a teacher I have always found that the best way to teach and for students to learn is to have some Fun. Strange – I didn’t see that one initially but when I involve the children in helping with the chores and we have fun doing it, well its so much less stressful!

Tip #5 – Organize Storage

All things in the home must have a “Home” that’s one of the things I say to the children. In our home my Husband (Quite a handyman!) has made numerous shelves that are just high enough for the children to reach and put their books back (Why didn’t I think of that?) and he has made for example a “fish net” that hangs from the ceiling in the Kids bedrooms where the “stuffy animals” are kept! It’s quite logical if you plan “How things are to be stored – then storage becomes Easy”!

Tip #5 – Organize you Closets

This tip has been one of the most contentious in compiling the 10 tips of organizing your home. Why? Because when something is not seen (in the closet) you can get the False Feeling of it’s all organized. It boils down to shelves and racking. On the shelves divide up sweaters, blouses, the clothes you wear now. Constantly review which clothes are this seasons, or are still in fashion and that you need – separate the ones you don’t like or need or have gone out of fashion and bring them to your local charity shop. As for racks – great for shoes and trainers!

Tip #6 – Organize your kitchen

Organize you cabinets for plates, Tupperware, guest tableware – separately if possible, if not, separate shelves. It’s amazing how “efficient” food preparation becomes when everything has its designated place – especially when it comes to preparing the children’s lunches. Another great (often overlooked) storage facility is the “Dishwasher” – storage and “purpose” rolled into one!

Tip #7 – Organize the Bathrooms

Ideally, if you have the space and children two bathrooms are great. My Husband and myself use the ensuite whilst the children use the “main one”. My husband again has made sure that shelves for the toothpaste are just the ‘right’ height for the children in their bathroom. I have made sure that there is a used linen basket for the used towels etc. In addition I keep no make up or any potentially dangerous articles in the children’s bathroom within reach – in our bathroom these are kept in a cabinet - well out of reach!

Tip #8 – The master grocery list

I must admit this was neither my husbands or my idea! However it’s been one the greatest time savers in our home. In fact in putting together the 10 tips to organize your home we both feel this is one of the most important and just had to include it. Basically I have a ‘general list’ that includes the ‘basics’ then ‘specifics’ including favourite items that my children and husband would like in the week and then ‘luxuries’ the items that we would like but don’t need. I keep it on a spreadsheet but don’t fear if you haven’t got a computer you can use a notebook just like I used to!

Tip #9 – Bill and Letter Centre

The one thing my husband isn’t good at is organizing his papers. So I have a special tray where I put Bills outstanding, school permission slips that need attention during the week. I have another tray that’s the Kids tray – where we encourage the children to let us know when school events are coming up so as we can be with them – it’s great for bonding!

Tip #10 – Children pick up clutter before bed time

This is a bit of a combination of Tips #2 and 3. However, it’s extremely important as it “reinforces” the children’s and our (Yes, both of us as well – after all one should lead by example) habit for tidiness. Just 15 minutes at the end of the day de cluttering the home makes it so much easier in the morning when its pandemonium! Strangely the children enjoy this before going to bed – it never ceases to amaze me how quickly they adapt and make fun out of the simplest of things!

I hope you will get a lot from these 10 tips to organize your home especially if you are feeling as “frazzled” as I was last year. Good luck with the re-organization!eel. Now you have gained so much more control over your life!!

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