Family routine makes life easier

photo by ifindkarma
It can be a challenge to organize your schedule and home when you have children. I remember how simple it was to get housework, errands and appointments completed when I had only one child. Now it seems as if even the easiest of tasks take a long time to accomplish, and remembering what everyone needs and has going on is difficult. The list of things to do can be so long that it doesn’t take much to get overwhelmed.

Maybe your New Year’s resolution is that you’re going to have a family routine that runs more smoothly. You’re determined that mornings aren’t going to be as hectic, you’re not going to miss important events, and your evenings are going to be more relaxing. Maybe you even fantasize that you’ll have free time to be able to read a book within a few days and not months or take up a new hobby. Since you can’t create more hours in the day, you need to make the most of the hours you have. I understand that some people don’t have a lot of support in this area, so it’s time to get organized.

CREATE A COMMUNICATION CENTER
Set up an area in your home where you organize family information. This gets everyone on the same page. This area should contain the following.

CALENDAR: You’ll want a calendar so everyone can see what is going and when. If you color code, it will make it easier to identify who is doing what. You can include information such as meetings, appointments, activities and days off.

FOLDERS: Each family member should have a folder. School papers such as completed work, fundraisers, permission slips, lunch menus, party invitations and mail can go directly into the folders. This prevents misplaced items. It also makes it simple to go through a neat folder to know what to keep, toss and discuss.

DRY ERASE BOARD: This is vital for communication. Everyone can leave a quick note or reminder. You can include shopping lists, to-do lists, phone numbers, chores and missed phone calls.

TOTE: A tote or hooks for backpacks, books, lunchboxes and outdoor gear such as hats, mittens and scarves keeps everything in one place. It’s much easier for family members to place these items in one spot. Closets are great for coats and shoes, but the smaller items often get misplaced, so this will remedy that problem.

TABLE: Have a table available for items such as cell phones, pagers and laptops. On the table, you can have smaller organizers such as baskets for keys, lunch money and wallets.

INVEST IN ORGANIZERS: There are various organizers that can help you. Consider days-of-the-week clothes organizers for young children so you can get clothes ready for the upcoming week ahead of time. Invest in a shoe organizer so your morning isn’t spent looking for a single misplaced shoe. Create a study area or at least a bin or drawer that holds supplies such as paper, pens, pencils, scissors, glue, staplers, paper clips, folders and erasers, to name a few. You should also have grab-and-go breakfast food handy just in case. Consider organizers such as collapsible totes for toys and car organizers so your vehicle isn’t upside down, too.

PERSONAL CHECKLIST: You have a solid foundation of getting everyone organized. Now it’s time for you to create your own task list. This can include what you’re having for dinner, cleaning schedule, preparing lunches, setting breakfast dishes out ahead of time, ironing, checking weather, etc.

FAMILY MEETINGS: Whether it’s small discussions daily or a more formal meeting once a week, all family members should communicate. This can help things stay on track and keep everyone on board, and any changes that are needed can be discussed. Reinforce boundaries and rules after school, establish weekend routines, give allowances, and simply stay connected and involved.

SLEEP: Finally, make sure that everyone gets enough sleep. This can make all the difference in the world. Time management can change your perspective and will allow you to devote more time to things you’d like to do and not just what you have to do.

What is your family routine? How do you organize it all?

Posted by Sara Noel on December 19 2008. Filed under Home & family.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook