How to get organized

By Sharon Dowell

Published: April 20, 2008

If there's one word to describe how Oklahoma families can fit everything into their busy schedules these days, it is organization.

Second, she suggested limiting activities for each child to what she or he really loves, not those Mom and Dad think they must do, and then re-evaluate the interest level on a regular basis. "The same is true for Mom or Dad as interests change and evolve,” she said.

Third, spend 10 or 15 minutes every evening putting things away and preparing for the next day. Lay out clothes, and place everything that needs to leave the house with you in the morning (except lunches) by the door or somewhere easily accessible.

"Personally, I have found that creating a household notebook has been an invaluable resource in locating information, getting things done quickly and staying organized,” Manna said. "Although ready-to-use systems are available, I have found that creating one yourself makes it user-friendly. It takes some time to put together but the results are well worth it.”

Her notebook has one page with general information including work and cell phone numbers, car tag numbers, utility outage numbers and emergency contacts. The back page details emergency procedures, including simple directions to the home for the children. The bulk of the notebook is divided into five categories including everyday planning, house works, financial, health and wellness, and travel and activities. Manna said the notebook is kept in a central place at home for easy reference or to grab and take along when it's needed.

"The primary goal is establishing healthy relationships at home for the family,” Cowan said. Set aside "quiet time” for the family at home, even if that means sacrificing time now devoted to sports and activities.

Anne Spero, a personal organizer who spent 11 years as an accountant in auditing, tax, and public and corporate accounting, emphasizes it's crucial to save time by getting organized. How does her family of five fit everything into a day? Reduce stress, using simple methods to be more organized and identifying time wasters to save the family valuable time.

"Clutter is stressful for everyone,” Spero said. Getting rid of clutter makes it easier for the entire family to function more efficiently. Even cluttered schedules can lead to disorganization.

"If the schedule is too crowded, sit down and decide what to keep and what to eliminate. Limit it to two activities for each child,” or whatever works best for your own family, she suggested.

She also believes young children should learn to follow a routine, know the family rules and know what's expected of them, all which help to make a household run smoothly.

Spero said she has hung hooks in the laundry room for her children's backpacks and hooks with each child's name in the bathrooms for towels. She posts "summer house rules” for easy reference: each child must make his or her bed; be dressed with teeth brushed and hair combed; and the bedroom floors free of clutter by 10 a.m. She also insists bathrooms be tidy and clean, messes be cleaned up as they are made and no complaining.

"We stay organized so we have time to do everything.”

She does that with the help of a color-coded family calendar listing doctor's appointments, Spero's volunteer work, her job hours because she's on a flexible schedule and when her husband is traveling. She also relies on a household organizer binder with categories for things to do, things pending, items for follow-up and things to keep.

"I also keep a meal-planning folder,” Spero said. "You don't want to be running through the Taco Bell drive-through all the time.” To avoid that, she keeps a shopping list posted on the refrigerator. "All the kids add to it,” she said.

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