Do you ever feel like the White Rabbit? Even with school out for the summer it seems we still have places to be daily -- summer camp, play dates, swimming lessons, appointments, errands to run, air conditioning to find! Whether you are a busy family ramping up the summer fun or just trying to make it to the office on time, The following tips should get you moving in the right direction – fast.
I’ve heard from many of you the reasons you can’t seem to get out the door on time.
Reason #1: The “Can’t Finds” - keys, phone, wallet, sun glasses, homework, shoes.
Solution #1: Give them a home! Clutter is often defined as our homeless belongings.
Put a key hook near the door or use a carabiner to clip your keys to your purse.
Set up a charging station for your phone and other electronics.
Have a designated spot for your wallet and sunglasses – on top on your dresser, in a specific drawer, on a tray – Give it a home!
Put your shoes away in a way that makes sense to you. In our house, adults keep their shoes in their bedroom closet. The kiddo keeps his shoes on a shelf near the door. It is easy to keep track of his shoes this way and I don’t have to cross the house several time in search of child and shoes. “Go to the door. Put on your shoes.” is a very easy thing for him to understand to do.
Reason #2: The “Unpacked Packs” – folder, lunch, purse, briefcase, gym bag, diaper bag, day bag, back pack, busy activity bag.
Solution #2: Do it the night before. Make a list of what each bag needs. (We’ll be talking much much more about lists in the near future. Why? Because lists are so much gosh-darn fun!) If you take 10-15 minutes (that’s a few commercial breaks) in the evening to pack up your necessary bag(s) for the next day you won’t have to spend precious morning minutes scrounging for essential daily items.
Reason #3: The “Laundry Woes” - Still wet swim trunks, no matching socks, shorts are all in the dirty clothes, forgotten suit from the dry cleaners,
Solution #3: Once again a little pre-planning goes a long way. Lay clothes out the night before (hair bows, tops, bottoms, under clothing, socks, shoes, etc) to ensure that everyone has what they need to wear (and possibly change into) for the following day.
If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie. Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.
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2 comments:
More great ideas! Thanks! Now, can you help us with the case of the missing shoe? :-) We have a place where shoes are to be kept (each child has his/her own spot), and I tell them to put them away every evening, but when it's time to leave we can count on the almost 5yo not having 2 matching shoes. Not sure why that happens EVERY time, but it does!
Snaphappee,
Have you thought of having your little man sleep in his shoes? LOL I have found, at this age, I have to follow behind and make sure that the task requested of the child is completed by the child. Maybe one of the older children can be his special "shoe buddy" in the evening to insure that both shoes make it to the right spot so that they are ready for the morning. OR maybe Doggie Molly just has a special spot where she likes to hide only the shoes of almost 5 year old boys.
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