Question:
One thought (the one thing from Martha Stewart’s mouth that I ever found useful 
. Martha said she has one room of her house that is *allowed* to be a disaster area. Guests are forbidden entry and it is there that she dumps off all her unfinished projects, paperwork, etc. I adopted that (using the study / computer room) and find that being able to shut the door on the unfinished mess makes it a lot easier to tolerate. It won’t solve all your issues and it may not even work in your current configuration, but if you *do* move to a larger home you might have a small area you can assign … The only other things I (as a fellow pack rat) can think of are: a) this Spring I had a hunt through the house, room by room, closet by closet, drawer by drawer … I found *hundreds* of items that had not been used in the last 3-5 years … which I immediately packed up and donated to charity. I can honestly say that I have only missed about *one* of those items … I also found about 50 empty boxes in the attic that I was keeping "just in case" … dh didn’t enjoy the recycling , but by pulling them out I ended up reorganizing our attic so you can actually enter and even access everything in there, now. b) I asked for help on this ng back then and someone (Davidson??) suggested packing items in a box in the attic and marking it with today’s date. In one year (or 6 months, or two years — your choice), if you have not needed to root through it for stuff … donate it UNOPENED (if you want the tax deduction, you can make a list and tape it to the box for your records). This won’t work for the baby stuff you may need again, but for your and dh’s c) a book I read (The Messies Manual, or similar, also recommended on this ng) suggested that you have as little as possible on the kitchen counters and that you *hang* stuff as much as possible, throughout the house. So instead of a mug tree on the kitchen counter … you could have hooks under an upper kitchen cabinet; instead of piling your brooms and stuff into the closet in a heap, buy a hanging bracket for the wall (I found one that holds two brooms and also has two hooks, on which I hang my apron, diaper bag, dh’s lunch tote, etc.). I also installed some wire shelving inside my pantry door for foil, plastic bags, etc., to free up a shelf. Also a broom holder on the garage wall for the outdoor broom and some pegs in the utility closet for holding the vaccuum hose, bucket, mop, etc. It truly is much easier to keep storage spaces tidy if you eliminate stuff from the floor. HTH. –Janet Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> With four kids, two of them babies, it sounds as if you have somewhat > unreasonable expectations of being neat and organized. > What strikes me is that not only do you have a full house, but hubby is > using your room for his computer stuff. > Just a thought- how ’bout having one single room for yourself that can be > your sanctuary? Say one single room where everything is neat, organized, > and no part of it is used for storage? > It seems unlikely that your whole house is going to be all that organized, > at least not until the babies are older. Might be nice to have at least one > space that is as you’d like it. > If I were you, I wouldn’t depend on more bedrooms to bring you a more > ordered existance. Sounds like you’re only going to get two more rooms to > clean. >I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently >have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re >currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband > and >I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t >spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on >how to get things organized and keep it that way. >During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at >home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things >done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) >is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the >exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. >Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. >Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while >Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have >completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and >activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll > each >have their own room so this will be a little better. >Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very >cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when > he’s >done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. >Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of >clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and >the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has >really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a >baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be >storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. >(This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) > We >had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each >pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless >shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. >My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in > our >room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a >complete system on top of our microwave. >I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still >having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, >school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some >examples of how other large families have organized their lives! >Thanks.
Response:
At first I thought I had written that note … I’ve asked everyone I think might know the answers or even the right questions … We have been struggling with this since we adopted 4 kids about 5 years ago. At first, we just "crunched" the parent area to fit in the kids, and they didn’t have much so they fit into the two small bedrooms. Later we got more outside and less inside toys and got to using the yard (we have plenty of safe play zone) as a relief. As the kid stuff exploded, it turned out they needed more of the house than we did and we could not stand being crunched into the tiny spaces we had. Several good passes through sorting a section of a room at a time helped. Only clothes that fit now, or will fit within 12 months are allowed to remain. The local PTA runs a good exchange that we find convenient and after helping out with other parents for a while it seems like just a larger family to hand things down. A "normal" North Carolina middle class house 50 years ago was less than 1000 square feet and had at least as many people, so it is not impossible. We struggle with 1500 sqft, and are adding more. It got better as the kids became able to take on and do chores regularly, but never became easy to maintain order. It took us a long time to really understand that if we come in after bed time and do all the chores, that becomes our new permanent job description. For notices, events upcoming, schedules, and things — One 3×5 foot bulletin board gets things stuck to it like soccer schedules and upcoming scout dates. A "plan a week" white board keeps regular appointments like gymnastics and piano lessions, as well as the regular baby sitter’s time. A calendar handles one-shot or irregular things. Mail gets sorted on arrival for "bills", "to-do", and "other". The Other category sometimes gets piled up and lost for a while, but important things usually don’t. About 15 months ago, we switched to home schooling which meant work books, art projects, teacher references, etc. That of course added to the confusion, but the kids have gone from 1.5 years per academic grade level to under 8 months. My wife does this and runs the wheels off the "mommy taxi". Both parents have been able to stay on the same side throughout which is a critical point (sometimes one backs off and other times we agree upon a non-negotiable requirement (with consequences and rewards). As another poster indicated, the hardest compromise is finding the "tolerable" level of clutter. Kids automatically create it, and can be trained to help pick up. We haven’t found the "magic" that makes them want to clean up when one of us is not there to give the motivation. Like you we have housing improvement plans (we swing hammers and move plywood), but have to live through the interim period. In the mean time, the worst problems are keeping a "tolerable" level of clutter which gets better or worse depending on the season and phase of the growth/resistance cycle (sometimes growing pains on the emotional level can be worse than just sore muscles and lost teeth). –> OUR FAVORITE BED TIME READING BOOK: The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Treasury by Betty MacDonald See "The Won’t-Pick-Up-Toys Cure" for one that we wish we could get to work. Good Luck, Dad to 4, always looking for better ways… >I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently >have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re >currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband and >I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t >spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on >how to get things organized and keep it that way.
<<snip>>
Response:
I have found books by Emily Barnes that have been extremely helpful in organizing. One is called "Survival of a Busy Women" and I can’t think or the other title but it also is on organization. She can be found in a Christian bookstore. Some of the tips I have learned are: -use clear storage shoeboxes, and larger containers for toys, blocks, cars, crayons, etc and have each box labeled. I even put a picture of the item (out of catalogs) so my toddler knew what to put in the boxes too. -have a large calendar and use a different colored marker for each persons schedule -have a specific place for everything (buy cutlery plastic storage containers) for tape, batteries, paperclips, stamps ect. -have job charts for your children with specific duties for each one -get 3 large garbage sacks and start with one room at a time going thru every drawer, closet, shelf and have a keep, give away, throw away sack. If you haven’t used an item in 6 months either throw or give away. Even if you just work 20 min. a day until a particular room is done it does you wonders. -make a decision NOT to use the table, top of refridgerator,kitchen counters, and your dresser as a "catch all" for clutter. Don’t put it down PUT IT AWAY motto and you will not have to worry about this. -I also have toys allowed only in designate areas!!!! By doing this you can have at least your living or family room clean for unannounced guests. Some people say that that makes a child feel like they are not welcomed in that room but they also need to consider it is the parents home too!! There are to many ideas to write but I encourage you to purchase the books I recommended. They are easy reading and very informative. I hope this helps. Lori * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
I do daycare for 4 full time and have two children of my own, My husband works odd hours, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm. I am mostly the sole provider and cleaner of the house, since my husband sleeps all morning and is gone the rest of the time. Sucks!! Anyways, I use charts for the kids. They have chores, like cleaning their room, setting the table, clearing dishes, etc. (ages 5 and 7) and they get a sticker for it when the job is completed. At the end of the work, their rewards are tallied, and they are paid for their work, (About 2.00 for one week). Saturdays, we go shopping and they can spend their earnings at the dollar store, or save it for a bigger purchase, saving, church offering, whatever! It really works, because I don’t have to nag at them to help me, they just do it or else they won’t get their star. and that means not allowance.!! We stick to a routine, as do I, laundry on Mondays, wash floors on Tuesdays. Bathrooms every day, dusting on Wednesdays, etc. I find if I stick to the routine I get more done. Like I reward myself for doing what I had planned. My reward, A clean house, quiet relaxing evening in front of the television or computer. It’s all about teamwork, but you need something to motivate the children to want to do it. Good Luck! Oh yeah, another reward for the kids, one 1/2 hour of my undivided attention, playing a board game, crafts or reading before bed. They just look forward to this so much. And if they screw up during the day, mouthing off, or not doing as they are told , that 1/2 hour with me is docked to 20 min. and so on……
Hi Tina– My DH and I have 4 kids, too, in a 5-bedroom house. Having a room for each kid was a top priority for us, and it’s worked out well (we added a master bedroom to have enough rooms). No matter who might be bothering whom, at least each child has a place to call his/her own and have some private time. Sometimes they need to wind down with some books and the chance to be messy or neat or whatever they feel like at the time. I have a neat and organized house, but then I’m a very organized person. Since you call yourself a "pack rat" I’m not sure whether you are suited to the kind of structured house environment you say you desire! Keeping everything in order is second nature to me, since I’ve always been orderly and I like being obsessive But here’s what I do: I’m a SAHM. The 13-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy/girl twins are in school all day (even all day kindergarten). I’m at home with the 16-month-old baby girl until 3:30 p.m., when the kids begin arriving home (unless I’m picking up for carpool, in which case I bring the baby with me at 3:00 to pick up). I use Calendar Creator to print out a monthly calendar which I update and color-code frequently. All appointments are on there: doctor’s visits, sports events, family outings, nights out with DH, nights out with friends, vet appointments, school activities, holidays, family birthdays, etc. Nobody makes a move without putting it on the calendar and/or checking to ensure there are no conflicts. The calendar is posted on the pantry right near the main phone. I have a large filing system on the kitchen counter, which has several different horizontal shelves. On each shelf are file folders for various paperwork. I use green tabs for the oldest child, blue for my boy twin, red for my girl twin, and black for the baby. I also have "To Do" and "Move to Office" files, where "To Do" holds items I have to handle ASAP and "Move to Office" holds items I need to move to my personal office, where I take care of paying bills, filing paid forms, and filing paperwork in general. In this filing system I also keep files for holding kids’ schoolwork, imminent homework assignments for the twins, and a telephone/address book for quick reference. I do laundry regularly at night when the kids are down…and I always finish it completely (including putting it away) before I go to sleep at night. It helps that I go to bed very late (3 a.m. or so), so I have about 6 hours to myself to do fun stuff *and* chores after the kids are in bed. I insist on bedtime being adhered to. The baby is down at 8:00, the twins at 8:15, and the 13-year-old is in her room by 9:00 or 9:30 and may read until 10:00 but no later. Also, after the twins get home from school, they have a "quiet time" in their rooms from 4:00-5:30 while the baby is napping (she naps 3:00-5:30). This gives me time to get dinner started, work with my DH in the home office, etc. (e.g., pass out on the couch ). I used to be very structured about dinner, but lately I enjoy being more low-key. It used to be I needed a huge family meal every night, but now I’m just more concerned that we all eat together than that we eat specific types of food. Probably 3 times a week I aim for a big, well-organized dinner. Meat/chicken, side dish of rice/pasta/potatoes, veggie, fruit. Another day I might order in pizza or subs. Another day I might have leftovers. Another day we’ll go out to eat. And the 7th day might be something easy, like grilled cheese sandwiches. Now that the oldest is having regular swim practices, it seems easier not to have elaborate meal plans. I try not to plan so strictly that the meal can’t be changed. Face it, sometimes you’re just too exhausted to get up and make a big meal. The twins help set and clear the dinner table and the 13-year-old does the dishes. My husband empties the dishwasher and I generally cook dinner. The baby sits and chews on her toys and the dog drops her ball on my feet. I keep the baby’s toys in a portacrib in the living room, so I have control over how many toys are out. It’s pretty easy to put them away on a regular basis (usually at naptime and at bedtime). She helps…some. The kids keep the majority of their toys in their rooms, and they clean up every day before bedtime (or after quiet time, after which they’re rarely in their rooms until bedtime). They have a well-organized room, with marked containers for stuffed animals, blocks, cars, Legos, art supplies, personal cards and letters, etc. They each have a bookcase for books and display toys. I pick their clothes out each night when I go in to check on them. The night before, my DH makes school lunches and I check the kids’ backpacks to take out any necessary forms and put in anything I need to give to the teachers. Jackets and shoes are put out by the front door. The table is sometimes set for the morning. I can’t think of much else right now. E-mail me if you want to chat. I’m sure there’s more, but you’re probably tired of reading about my life by now. Good luck! Jennifer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently >have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re >currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband > and >I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t >spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on >how to get things organized and keep it that way. >During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at >home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things >done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) >is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the >exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. >Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. >Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while >Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have >completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and >activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll > each >have their own room so this will be a little better. >Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very >cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when > he’s >done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. >Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of >clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and >the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has >really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a >baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be >storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. >(This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) > We >had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each >pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless >shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. >My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in > our >room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a >complete system on top of our microwave. >I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still >having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, >school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some >examples of how other large families have organized their lives! >Thanks.
Response:
With four kids, two of them babies, it sounds as if you have somewhat unreasonable expectations of being neat and organized. What strikes me is that not only do you have a full house, but hubby is using your room for his computer stuff. Just a thought- how ’bout having one single room for yourself that can be your sanctuary? Say one single room where everything is neat, organized, and no part of it is used for storage? It seems unlikely that your whole house is going to be all that organized, at least not until the babies are older. Might be nice to have at least one space that is as you’d like it. If I were you, I wouldn’t depend on more bedrooms to bring you a more ordered existance. Sounds like you’re only going to get two more rooms to clean. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently >have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re >currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband and >I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t >spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on >how to get things organized and keep it that way. >During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at >home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things >done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) >is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the >exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. >Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. >Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while >Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have >completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and >activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll each >have their own room so this will be a little better. >Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very >cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when he’s >done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. >Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of >clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and >the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has >really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a >baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be >storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. >(This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) We >had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each >pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless >shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. >My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in our >room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a >complete system on top of our microwave. >I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still >having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, >school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some >examples of how other large families have organized their lives! >Thanks.
Response:
Hi Tina– My DH and I have 4 kids, too, in a 5-bedroom house. Having a room for each kid was a top priority for us, and it’s worked out well (we added a master bedroom to have enough rooms). No matter who might be bothering whom, at least each child has a place to call his/her own and have some private time. Sometimes they need to wind down with some books and the chance to be messy or neat or whatever they feel like at the time. I have a neat and organized house, but then I’m a very organized person. Since you call yourself a "pack rat" I’m not sure whether you are suited to the kind of structured house environment you say you desire! Keeping everything in order is second nature to me, since I’ve always been orderly and I like being obsessive But here’s what I do: I’m a SAHM. The 13-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy/girl twins are in school all day (even all day kindergarten). I’m at home with the 16-month-old baby girl until 3:30 p.m., when the kids begin arriving home (unless I’m picking up for carpool, in which case I bring the baby with me at 3:00 to pick up). I use Calendar Creator to print out a monthly calendar which I update and color-code frequently. All appointments are on there: doctor’s visits, sports events, family outings, nights out with DH, nights out with friends, vet appointments, school activities, holidays, family birthdays, etc. Nobody makes a move without putting it on the calendar and/or checking to ensure there are no conflicts. The calendar is posted on the pantry right near the main phone. I have a large filing system on the kitchen counter, which has several different horizontal shelves. On each shelf are file folders for various paperwork. I use green tabs for the oldest child, blue for my boy twin, red for my girl twin, and black for the baby. I also have "To Do" and "Move to Office" files, where "To Do" holds items I have to handle ASAP and "Move to Office" holds items I need to move to my personal office, where I take care of paying bills, filing paid forms, and filing paperwork in general. In this filing system I also keep files for holding kids’ schoolwork, imminent homework assignments for the twins, and a telephone/address book for quick reference. I do laundry regularly at night when the kids are down…and I always finish it completely (including putting it away) before I go to sleep at night. It helps that I go to bed very late (3 a.m. or so), so I have about 6 hours to myself to do fun stuff *and* chores after the kids are in bed. I insist on bedtime being adhered to. The baby is down at 8:00, the twins at 8:15, and the 13-year-old is in her room by 9:00 or 9:30 and may read until 10:00 but no later. Also, after the twins get home from school, they have a "quiet time" in their rooms from 4:00-5:30 while the baby is napping (she naps 3:00-5:30). This gives me time to get dinner started, work with my DH in the home office, etc. (e.g., pass out on the couch ). I used to be very structured about dinner, but lately I enjoy being more low-key. It used to be I needed a huge family meal every night, but now I’m just more concerned that we all eat together than that we eat specific types of food. Probably 3 times a week I aim for a big, well-organized dinner. Meat/chicken, side dish of rice/pasta/potatoes, veggie, fruit. Another day I might order in pizza or subs. Another day I might have leftovers. Another day we’ll go out to eat. And the 7th day might be something easy, like grilled cheese sandwiches. Now that the oldest is having regular swim practices, it seems easier not to have elaborate meal plans. I try not to plan so strictly that the meal can’t be changed. Face it, sometimes you’re just too exhausted to get up and make a big meal. The twins help set and clear the dinner table and the 13-year-old does the dishes. My husband empties the dishwasher and I generally cook dinner. The baby sits and chews on her toys and the dog drops her ball on my feet. I keep the baby’s toys in a portacrib in the living room, so I have control over how many toys are out. It’s pretty easy to put them away on a regular basis (usually at naptime and at bedtime). She helps…some. The kids keep the majority of their toys in their rooms, and they clean up every day before bedtime (or after quiet time, after which they’re rarely in their rooms until bedtime). They have a well-organized room, with marked containers for stuffed animals, blocks, cars, Legos, art supplies, personal cards and letters, etc. They each have a bookcase for books and display toys. I pick their clothes out each night when I go in to check on them. The night before, my DH makes school lunches and I check the kids’ backpacks to take out any necessary forms and put in anything I need to give to the teachers. Jackets and shoes are put out by the front door. The table is sometimes set for the morning. I can’t think of much else right now. E-mail me if you want to chat. I’m sure there’s more, but you’re probably tired of reading about my life by now. Good luck! Jennifer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently >have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re >currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband > and >I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t >spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on >how to get things organized and keep it that way. >During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at >home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things >done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) >is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the >exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. >Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. >Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while >Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have >completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and >activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll > each >have their own room so this will be a little better. >Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very >cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when > he’s >done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. >Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of >clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and >the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has >really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a >baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be >storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. >(This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) > We >had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each >pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless >shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. >My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in > our >room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a >complete system on top of our microwave. >I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still >having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, >school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some >examples of how other large families have organized their lives! >Thanks.
Response:
Hello Tina, I currently do not have quite so large of a family. However, I grew up with four sisters in a two bedroom trailer. Talk about running a tight ship. My mother made out lists every morning on what needed to be done that day and who was responsible for which chore (I was the second oldest, so the oldest and I usually got stuck doing most of it.) We all had responsibilities, even when we were in school. Laundry was done daily, because we just didn’t have the room to let anything pile up. Being sloppy was not an excuse nor was it allowed. Even when we were very little, we had to pick up after ourselves. No one went to bed until everything was picked up. Alot of the bigger cleaning projects got done after we went to bed when we were little. Then us girls took them over as we got older. i.e. mopping, bathroom, refrigerator, etc. Almost all of our toys were outside toys. We were bundled up and sent outside even in the winter. We lived in northern Ohio, so it did get cold. All of this made us very close growing up. Decide what is important to you about how your house looks. Does it have to be immaculate or can you get by with it being tidy and clean? Your children are young just once, enjoy them. Your house doesn’t need to look fantastic all the time. If you have a big day were it really needs to look great, send the kids off to grandmas or neighbors, and CLEAN. I know this isn’t a detailed list on how to organize a home. But I hope it helped a little. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently > have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re > currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband and > I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t > spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on > how to get things organized and keep it that way. > During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at > home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things > done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) > is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the > exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. > Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. > Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while > Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have > completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and > activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll each > have their own room so this will be a little better. > Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very > cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when he’s > done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. > Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of > clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and > the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has > really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a > baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be > storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. > (This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) We > had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each > pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless > shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. > My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in our > room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a > complete system on top of our microwave. > I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still > having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, > school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some > examples of how other large families have organized their lives! > Thanks.
Response:
I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband and I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on how to get things organized and keep it that way. During the day, our oldest 2 sons are at school from 8:45 to 3:30. I’m at home with our 2 year old and 3 month old. I would love to get some things done throughout the day, but some days it seems impossible. Keiran (3 mos) is a very "needy" baby. Unless he’s being held, he’s screaming. I got the exersaucer out of the attic today and he seems pretty content in that. Bailey (2) manages to destroy a room while I’m cleaning a different room. Cameron (9) and Caleb (8) share a room. Caleb is a "neat freak" while Cameron just drops things wherever they tend to fall. Since they have completely different interests, we have 2 different sets of toys and activities to organize in their room. If we get the new house, they’ll each have their own room so this will be a little better. Bailey and Keiran share a room. Their room is only 9×9. So, they are very cramped. I’m working with Bailey on learning to put his toys away when he’s done. He seems to be taking after Cameron. Me…I’m a pack rat. I’ve gotten alot better. I have so many boxes of clothes throughout our house it’s rediculous. Most are in the garage and the babies’ room. I’ve kept everything since Cameron was born. It has really helped us out financially since I became a SAHM when Bailey was a baby. Since we don’t plan on having another baby for 5-6 years, we will be storing these clothes in my mother’s garage when Keiran outgrows them. (This is also so that my sister can use them when she has another baby.) We had a garage sale last month for all my clothes I’ve outgrown with each pregnancy. Everything that didn’t sell we donated to our local homeless shelter. This has helped out our space problem quite a bit. My husband builds computers for extra income. He has his spare parts in our room and in the garage. We have a monitor on our rocking chair and a complete system on top of our microwave. I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some examples of how other large families have organized their lives! Thanks.
Response:
> I’m looking for some organization tips for large families. We currently > have 6 people in our family. We live in a 3 bedroom house, however we’re > currently trying to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I’m a SAHM. My husband and > I feel like we are constantly trying to get the house clean, etc and aren’t > spending enough quality time with the kids. I’m looking for some tips on > how to get things organized and keep it that way.
Boy can I relate! There are only 4 of us, but sometimes I swear it looks like a pack of wild monkeys has been let loose in our house!! lol Some things I have done that seemed to help… Get to a Big Lots or Dollar General or any store that has plastic storage things really cheap. I got 7 laundry baskets. I keep them (or try to, sometimes they wander) lined up in the laundry room. There is one each for whites, lights, darks, towels, reds, bedding, and dh’s uniforms. This way when a hamper in a bedroom gets full, I can sort everything out. And when I have time to throw in a load, it’s easy to deal with. (And it can just sit there till I have a full load!) I also try to do one or two loads of laundry every other day. This way I don’t have to spend 3 days doing it all. (Except for this last week. I was trying to finish Halloween costumes and got behind. :-{) I got those plastic stackable bins for Andy’s room. (he’s 3) On the computer, I found clip art that went with his different toys. He has the wild west town, pirates and pirate ship, etc. I got 3 sets of the bins. There are 3 bins in each set. Each bin now has a picture taped on the front of it, with the word underneath. This way, he knows where his pirates go, etc. He and I can get his room cleaned up in about 10 minutes even if he has seriously wrecked it. I just hand him things and say "look at the pictures and put this with the pirates" or whatever. And this way when he wants to play with one set of toys, they are all together. For the older boys, what about one of those shoe bags that hangs on the back of the door? My daughter has one in her room. (she’s 7) That works really well. Clears out room in the closet for her hamper. We also put a tension rod (like you would get for a shower curtain) about midway up the height of her closet. She has a bar at the top of the closet to hang clothes, but this doubled the hanging space. And she can reach the lower bar easily. I also have some hangers in her room that will hang several pairs of pants. It looks like a regular hanger with a rack at the bottom. The bars open out to let you hang the pants on there. I can get about 8 pairs of her pants on one of them. Just fold two pairs on each bar. Don’t forget about under the bed. The plastic boxes that fit under there are wonderful for out of season clothes, sweaters that won’t fit in a dresser, or just about anything you can think of. One thing I do recommend, put a dryer sheet in the box if you will be storing clothing in it. Otherwise the clothes do come out smelling a little like the box, or kind of musty. You know, that "been in storage" smell. I hope some of that helps. I know it sounds like a lot of money to spend just to get things more orderly. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Space it out. Whenever there is an extra $20, go to your favorite cheap store and see what you can find. I mentioned Big Lots and Dollar General as I have found these kinds of things at both places cheaper than Wal-Mart. **gasp** You really can find things cheaper than Wal-Mart!!! :-} Remember that the kids can help out too. You said one of the older boys is already a neat freak. Make the most of that. Teach him how to sort laundry. Let him help with dishes. Make his brother run the vacuum cleaner. There are lots of jobs the boys can help out with. Even the two year old can help pick up things in his room. No, he won’t like it. But maybe if you make a game out of it, he will be willing to go along. Andy likes to help me put things in the washing machine. So maybe Bailey could do that too. Andy plays laundry basketball. He shoots the dirties into the hoop (washer.) LOL Remember that while you are a SAHM (I am too!) you are not a slave to the rest of the family. I think a lot of us fall into that line of thinking from time to time. "we are the ones at home all the time so we should be the ones who do all of the work." That just isn’t the way things ought to be. I tell my kids all the time, "I am not the only person who lives in this house, so I will not be the only one who cleans in this house." Then I try to make the lightening bolts come out of my eyeballs. :-} They generally fall into line. Good luck!! Hope you get the new house soon. And holler if you need any more ideas about getting stuff organized. Sharon
Response:
WE’ve got a larage calender on the fridge where all the appoinments, clubs, ect get written. ON Sunday night Hub & I sit down and make sure everything is there, that both of us know about everything, and that schedules coordinate. I’ve got 4 of those stacking paper trays on one end of the kitchen counter. One holds that day’s mail for him to see when he gets home. 2 holds any papers that have come home from school that day. 3 holds bills to be paid, mail to go out etc. 4 holds phone book, paper, calculator, etc. All the household tasks and chores have been broken up and spread over the week, and then divided up among all of us. I put this onto a computer spreadsheet, so every sunday morning I print out a new sheet. Then, as the week goes by as each day’s task is done, it gets crossed off. Dishes are done twice daily–in the afternoon I do the breakfast & lunch dishes. After dinner hub & one of the kids does the dinner dishes. I should say the dishes get washed–they’re put into a drying rack to dry and usually go from there back to the table again. If you’re 2 oldest are 8 & 9 they can help out. They’re old enough to dust, vacuum, wash dishes, bring out the garbage, put away their own clean clothes, even supervise the younger ones while you do some things. Let them do some of this–you don’t have to do it all. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I know things will get better if we get the new house. But, we’re still > having problems with the "everyday" things. For example: dishes, laundry, > school papers, fund raisers, doctor appointments. I’d love to hear some > examples of how other large families have organized their lives! > Thanks.
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