how do you get organised?

skylight

I get organised by not doing stuff.

I am not here to be a skivvy to the family, so I am not cleaning all the time, washing up, making beds etc. It means we do not have a "show home" type place, but its tidy (when the kids are asleep!) and not full of germs! My house is never going to be pristine until they have all moved out! Therefore I dont worry about it and its not on my priority list.

The kids do their own beds before school and I leave their bedrooms until they come home - they play before breakfast and after school but I am not tidying up their stuff. Their rooms must be tidy before bed though. I do not hoover the bedrooms every day, nor do I clean the bathroom every day. Couple of times a week is more than plenty (but clean towels and stuff is put away though every day!)
In a nutshell, I spend perhaps a hour in the morning doing a particular room(s) on a set day. Its a small house so I can get away with this.


I prefer to spend my time with my kids than cleaning etc. But whilst 3 out of 4 are at school I can get done the washing/putting clothes away etc and take myself and little one out.

Packed lunches are made the night before after they do to bed (usually) and after these I make sure that there is school uniform laid out ready for the morning. This just makes my life easier and calmer in the morning, as one of them always looses her school shoes just before its time to go!



And as someone else posted, my windows need a damn good clean too!

Notsosharp

Morning,

I am not a SAHM but I am a single mother who goes to college three days a week so I know how hard it is to get organised and tbh I am still not nearly there and sometimes I am a bit of a flake and can be unreliable but I do try my best and thats all you can do so don't be too hard on yourself. I also have a fair few animals.....

I tend to have certain days for doing certain things, like Monday is housework day because I am off college and DD is at school.......other than that I just tend to tidy up as I go along. Don't worry too much about not getting all the work done, my house is not exactly tidy and the drawers and cupboards are a bit risky to open sometimes but so long as the house isn't unhygenically dirty I tend not to let it bother me too much. The world is not going to end because there is some dust on the shelves.

I get mine and DDs Clothes ready the night before on weeknights but at weekends we just tend to muddle along.

What I struggle with is cooking healthy meals that don't take that long because I don't get home from college til about 6, and I work straight after one night a week too. I guess you could get over this by making all the meals at the weekend when you have time and then you could freeze things or make stuff that lasts a while. I think things like stews and soups tend to taste better after a couple of days anyway.

Also if I have a lot to do I make lists, and try and work my way through them. Put the most important and difficult things at the top and work your way through them.

Aside from that I just try and muddle through as best as I can, yes I would like to be better organised but sometimes its just not possible and I don't want to be held prisoner to lists and housework!

foreversomeday

I posted a similar thread in the Old Style board a while back. They were so helpful and lovely there and directed me to https://www.flylady.com - have a look on that site in their "beginner babysteps" section, don't bother signing up to the email unless you have time to check your emails several times a day (!) and then move on to the flylady thread on Old Style where the first post has a list of jobs to do each day. I started off just doing one thing each day and built up, and I actually enjoy it now as I get a little sense of achievement from posting in the thread with what I have managed to get done. If you say you are a beginner or are feeling overwhelmed they are lovely and really supportive.

HTH x

teaspoon1

OMG I am totally gobsmacked reading this thread, you should all take a bow! :T

I never realised how much free time I actually had... does not having children help? :rotfl: Were your lives less hectic before motherhood?

yummymummyoftwo

thanks for all your replies,they've given me a lot to think about and im going to look at the fly lady thread,my trouble is my house is always 'tidy' but not clean if you know what i mean,just need to stay in more and try a bit harder,my trouble is i hate staying in the house

RoxieW

hi - join in on the organised xmas thread over on the special occassions board. We use it to do weekly/daily task lists - including general everyday things such as ironing etc but also some more fun things in preparation for xmas ie sorting gift lists, shopping, making things etc. there's a nice welcoming feel to the thread

jackomdj

Roxie,

I joined this thread too & although I have not managed to stick to rooms etc it has encouraged me no end with jobs. I have sorted the airing cupboard; fully cleaned the hallway, stairs & landing incl lights, skirting, pictures, doors etc.; sorted both girls rooms & gone through their wardrobes to sort sizes & also seasons; I have done more....

I work full 2 days & also run a small business from home which takes a couple of hours each day. Eldest is at pre school in the morning on my 3 "free" days & youngest is at home whenever I am.

Nicky

Squish_21

Um not a parent but an orgnised person (most the time) even if i do say so myself. I would suggest making lists of things to do, always checking cupboards and writing a shopping list.

Also, get the kids to help you out puttig toys away etc., they like to think they are helping Mummy.

Suzy_M

I know it has its' critics but try and get a copy of Superwoman by Shirley Conran. There is some really, really practical advice in there about running a home, organising yourself, your home and family etc. etc.

I think it's now out of print but your county library should have a copy.