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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Your Family At Home
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ALSO | WORLD-WISE WEBSITES | If you’ve signed on for parenthood, you probably had a general idea of what was coming. In fact, the contract boldly states that as a parent you are guaranteed a holiday pageant or two, a handful of ear infections, mounds of toys and laundry and too many sleepless nights to count. Give or take. But, what may have surprised you is that you forfeit any hope of peace for as long as your kids live at home. Go ahead. Pull out your parent contract and you’ll see it there in the fine print. For no matter how smart, educated and capable you are, kids have a way of overwhelming the most savvy adult. Before you know it, you’re looking at missed appointments, forgotten ATM withdrawals and a “room mom” assignment made in your absence. Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. You prefer clutter, you say? It gets those creative juices flowing? Unfortunately, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, disorganization creates an atmosphere of chaos for the whole family. Room/Team/SuperMom Cheri Beeman of Temecula agrees. “Organization is absolutely essential to have if you are going to run your home and take care of your commitments effectively.” A little “spring cleaning” can’t hurt much, can it? You just might find that a cleaner, neater life will mean a happier, more efficient YOU! Check out the following tips for bringing order to your home, office and, yes, your car! Home Pick “a room a week” and resolve to clear out all the clutter. Arm yourself with large plastic trash bags and start jamming them full of all the toys, clothes and shoes that have been outgrown, outplayed and outlasted. Have another bag on hand for trash or things not worth saving or donating. To-do lists are a great way of keeping yourself on task. Nothing feels as satisfying as checking off a job that has been completed in a timely manner. Or keep track of your family’s lives in an organizer that provides lots of space in which to write. Beeman suggests, “On Sunday evening sit down and write out what your schedule will be for your children’s commitments, as well as your own.” If your mornings are hectic and your family is gulping down breakfast as they trail out the door, try streamlining your routine. Group items according to use. For example, set up one of your kitchen cabinets to include everything you’ll need for breakfast and packing lunches (e.g., bowls, napkins, plastic spoons and baggies, etc.). Office Toss any old memos, junk mail and scraps of paper or sticky notes that are unnecessary and adding to the jumble of chaos you’ve allowed to accumulate. Once you’ve pared down your paper pile, label a file folder for the documents that remain. If there are any file items that cannot be tossed, but do not require your immediate action, create a file for “Pending Documents.” Refer to it on a weekly basis so that you don’t forget future commitments. Store paper clips, tape dispensers, pens and paper in some easily-accessible drawers and cabinets. Then, make a list of frequently called phone and fax numbers and post it next to your telephone for quick reference. Car If your children are older, then you know that a good portion of your day is spent taxiing them to school, practice and doctor appointments. Keep your car tidy with a small grocery bag that can filled with and emptied of its trash daily. Maintain a small basket for mail, spare keys and store receipts. This basket can also hold a collection of sticky notes, pens and even your organizer. As you wait for practices to finish up, use the time to refer to your notes and stay on top of your game! Hey, that wasn’t so bad, was it? And, to think, you actually doubted yourself. One thing is certain follow this simple plan and no one will be doubting you! Kerri S. Mabee of Temecula is a freelance writer. WORLD-WISE WEBSITES Get some in-depth help with organizing your home and budgeting your time and money at www.organizetips.com. At www.getorganizednow.com you’ll find great articles, e-courses, monthly checklists and a discussion forum. Solutions for Living provides products for your home and office, kitchen and bedrooms, bath and laundry all designed to make organization easy! Check them out at www.solutionsforliving.bizhttp://www.solutionsforliving.biz |
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