Newsletters	Email
Print	Contact Editor
RSS Feed	Share

	Join TDS on Facebook
	Follow TDS on Twitter

Oganizing the Disorganized Mom

by Kim Danger

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." -- Phyllis Diller

Before my daughter was born, I always considered myself an organized person. My house was always clean, and my life ran like clockwork. I enjoyed planning meals and cooking. My spare time was spent decorating and doing crafts. When Sydney was born, something happened to me. Not only did becoming a mother give me the greatest joy ever imaginable, I think it took away a few brain cells. Having the responsibility to take care of another human being's life took away my ability to organize my own.

I have to admit I had some pretty demented preconceived notions about what it would be like to be a stay-at-home mom. I was going to be the modern version of June Cleaver. My husband would always come home to a clean house and a piping-hot, home-cooked meal. My floors would sparkle and my decor would rival Martha Stewart. Ha! Boy, did I have it wrong.

What I didn't realize is that staying at home tends to create more housework, not less. One of the reasons our home was always clean before Sydney was born is we were never there. It isn't hard to have an organized homelife while you're working full-time and eating out on a regular basis. Add a baby and a stay-at-home mom to that equation, and you get a continually growing mountain of laundry, toys that need to be picked up, and no time for yourself; much less decorating.

Being a parent can make even the best of us feel a little out of control. Having your housework reach that out-of-control point can make you feel even worse. Although organizing your household may take more effort with kids, it still can be done. Here are a few tips I'd like to share to get a very basic grip on your household duties:

Keep a family calendar. Write down every appointment, or event your family must attend. If you have a large family, you may want to consider using a different color for each person. Keep the calendar in plain sight (we keep ours on the refrigerator).

Schedule your tasks. Make a list of every daily, weekly, and monthly housekeeping task you must do. Start with basics like laundry, grocery shopping, dusting, etc. and you'll think of more to add later. Come up with a schedule to get them done: Monday: laundry; Tuesday: dusting, etc. This should keep you from forgetting what you need to get done, and also give you a sense of accomplishment.

Keep a to-do list. This list includes all the little tasks that need to be done that aren't on your schedule. It may include things like fixing a leaky faucet, making a birthday card for Grandma, or giving the dog a bath. We like to compile our family's list at the beginning of the week. Sometimes we add things to the list that we've done just so that we can cross them off!

Have a 15-minute pick-up. I must admit, we implemented this mostly for my husband. I was getting tired of nagging him to pick up his dirty clothes off the floor, and he was getting tired of me nagging him to do it. Now before going to bed, we spend 15 minutes picking up odds and ends around the house that accumulate during the day (sorting mail, putting away newspapers, picking up clothes, etc.). This works out well for both of us, and prevents a lot of arguments.
While I do admit I'm not as organized as I was in my pre-baby days, being a parent has definitely changed my life for the better. It has taught me patience, flexibility, and spontaneity like nothing else ever could. While my floors may not be clean, and "cereal night" has become a frequent occurrence in our household, I get to enjoy watching my daughter grow. And that is the reason I decided to stay home in the first place.

Kim Danger is a 30-year-old work-at-home-mom who lives with her husband and daughter in Southern Minnesota. Her website, mommysavers.com, helps moms manage their time and money.

Take the Next Step

Organize Your Life--Organize Your Home--Organize Your Office--All In One Place! OnlineOrganizing.Com

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

Your money saving idea could win you $100!

Each month one TDS reader will win $100 just for telling us your favorite time or money saving idea. It could be you!
Click here to share your idea.

Recent winners are:
- Michelle from NC
- Matt from CO
- Joan from CT
- Joanne in New York

Money problems?
The Dollar Stretcher can help:

Afraid to lose your job?

Struggling with credit card debt?

Help for your mortgage?

Can't pay your debts?

Need some extra income?

Fighting bad credit?

What you need to know about bankruptcy?

Become money smart?

Trouble repaying student loans?

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
Voice 941-761-7805
Fax 941-761-8301

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Oganizing the Disorganized Mom

by Kim Danger

Get free money-saving articles in your inbox!

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

Your money saving idea could win you $100!