"Establish a house of order . . ."

Last Tuesday our stake had a combined enrichment night featuring Marie Ricks, an organizing guru. When I told Tyler I was going to an organizing seminar, he asked, "Why?" I think I'm a pretty organized person but I do enjoy getting more tips and so I went.

• Hurricanes. We all have our own personal hurricanes, complete with names. The key is to keep in the eye of the storm where it is the most calm. Work from the inside out (take care of yourself FIRST).
• Plan on paper. None of us have that great of memory to be able to remember everything down to the minute details. Write it down.
• Have your children return and report on task/assignments they've been given.
• You'll get more done if you go slow, i.e. spend more time planning.
• Get rid of HALF of everything. If you have 20 pairs of shoes, give 10 away. If you have 6 frying pans, give 3 away.
• You cannot teach and train a child when you're in a hurry.
• A child's room is his home. Teach them to keep their room tidy

Marie Ricks's Seven Days to Better Organization
www.houseoforder.com
SUNDAY

Organize for the week

Hold family council and plan next week: who is doing what, who is going where, who needs a ride, help

MONDAY

Prepare

Plan out today: commitments, chores, projects

Deal with paperwork

Fix up your personal desk. Everyone needs a place to think, plan, and work

TUESDAY

Bathrooms and Laundry: get your children to help

WEDNESDAY

Kitchen: clear off counters (it's easier to wipe off a counter that is not filled with clutter), clean out cupboards, condense tools to an area where they are first used

Closets: put like things together

THURSDAY

Budget: cut up cards, buy by the year

Groceries: buy more . . . less often, shop early, shop alone, shop with a list

FRIDAY

Watch children until they obey: keep a low voice, steady eye, and thank them. Tell kids what need to be done. Don't tell them what to do.

Be early: start planning right away when you know about a commitment and it's fresh on your mind. Make phone calls early, prepare dinner early, run errands early. Being early means things get done better.

SATURDAY

Garage: what can we discard, give away, hang up? Get stuff off the floor. Use shelves.

Kids bedrooms should be SIMPLE: do they have too much stuff, teach housekeeping skills

SUNDAY

Review week and plan again

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My Attempt at Organization

I made this binder several years ago and couldn't live without it. Neither could my kids. They refer to it more often than I do to see what's on the lunch menu, to look up a phone number, to find a coupon, to see what chores they've been assigned. It has helped immensely in helping our family run a little more smoothly.