Getting Your House in Order
So many times I hear moms lament over their messy house and the disorganization and they are overwhelmed by it all. They want to start afresh, turn over a new leaf, but with lots of little kids, trying to homeschool and keep food on the table, it just seems impossible to get a grip!
But it's not as overwhelming as you think when you stop and break it down into smaller jobs. And have some chocolate.
First, if you are in the middle of the school year, you can slog through the rest of the year and start in the summer. But the lovely thing about homeschooling is that you can take a break whenever you want, include the kids in the project at hand, and then pick up where you left off, with little or no bloodshed.
So, where to start? I suggest you start with yourself: your bedroom, and if you have a master bath, your bathroom as well. Leave no drawer, cupboard, closet, under-the-bed space left un-purged. Be brutal. Give it away! Throw it away! Take a week or more to concentrate on making your room a haven and a place to relax. My thoughts on the Master bedroom are these and may be helpful during this time. Then, when your bedroom is completely decluttered and organized, give it a good cleaning. Same goes for the bathroom. Now you have a calm, peaceful place to retire to at the end of the day. You will appreciate this gift to yourself as you move through the house, room by room, working your magic creating a home that is a haven, and you fall into bed at night, exhausted!
Why start with yourself? I believe it gives a strong message to the kids that you are serious about this new way of living. They see you cleaning out your stuff, bagging it up for charity or the trash, and the example it sets. Lead the way!
Next, I would suggest the kitchen, since that area is mostly your domain, even though everyone uses it. Again, leave no cupboard or shelf untouched. A good rule of thumb is that there should always be a bit of empty space in every drawer and cupboard. It looks nice, and makes finding things easier. Again, the kids see you disciplining yourself first, getting yourself squared away before tackling anyone else's mess. And, they may have already begun hoeing out their own stuff, getting into the swing of things, or they are hiding their stuff because they know their turn is coming.
Third, tackle the playroom or family room; the place where all the toys are. Try to involve the kids in this, but expect some wailing and weeping. Be strong, kids can smell your indecision a mile away. And they will (eventually) get over the fact that you got rid of a lot of their toys. Don't fall for the temptation to buy more organizing bins and storage containers. This just sets you up to fail. If you are lacking those items, get rid of enough stuff to create more room for the things you are keeping.
By now, you should have made several trips to the local Goodwill store, dropping off your trash, which is now someone else's treasures.
Now, hit the dining room and living room; these usually don't take much time. Because now you need to take care of the homeschool supplies/room. I do not have a room set aside for "school" as I believe all life is learning. But whatever the case, you have got to get a grip. I have learned over the years that curricula can easily be tailored to suit each child, and that means each of my kids has used many of the same items, which means I don't need as much room for curricula! Genius!
Well, they knew it was coming, and it may be difficult, but it's time for the kids' rooms. I save this for last because it's not quite as much of a shock to them, as they have been watching you for the past few weeks (yes, weeks), methodically purging right and left. You can do this one of two ways: while they are gone from the house (I know, it's mean, but it's quicker) or with them, asking for their input, depending on their ages. Again, get rid of enough stuff to create storage for the things you are keeping.
Honestly, we all could easily live with half of our belongings, as long as there is a steady supply of chocolate.
But it's not as overwhelming as you think when you stop and break it down into smaller jobs. And have some chocolate.
First, if you are in the middle of the school year, you can slog through the rest of the year and start in the summer. But the lovely thing about homeschooling is that you can take a break whenever you want, include the kids in the project at hand, and then pick up where you left off, with little or no bloodshed.
So, where to start? I suggest you start with yourself: your bedroom, and if you have a master bath, your bathroom as well. Leave no drawer, cupboard, closet, under-the-bed space left un-purged. Be brutal. Give it away! Throw it away! Take a week or more to concentrate on making your room a haven and a place to relax. My thoughts on the Master bedroom are these and may be helpful during this time. Then, when your bedroom is completely decluttered and organized, give it a good cleaning. Same goes for the bathroom. Now you have a calm, peaceful place to retire to at the end of the day. You will appreciate this gift to yourself as you move through the house, room by room, working your magic creating a home that is a haven, and you fall into bed at night, exhausted!
Why start with yourself? I believe it gives a strong message to the kids that you are serious about this new way of living. They see you cleaning out your stuff, bagging it up for charity or the trash, and the example it sets. Lead the way!
Next, I would suggest the kitchen, since that area is mostly your domain, even though everyone uses it. Again, leave no cupboard or shelf untouched. A good rule of thumb is that there should always be a bit of empty space in every drawer and cupboard. It looks nice, and makes finding things easier. Again, the kids see you disciplining yourself first, getting yourself squared away before tackling anyone else's mess. And, they may have already begun hoeing out their own stuff, getting into the swing of things, or they are hiding their stuff because they know their turn is coming.
Third, tackle the playroom or family room; the place where all the toys are. Try to involve the kids in this, but expect some wailing and weeping. Be strong, kids can smell your indecision a mile away. And they will (eventually) get over the fact that you got rid of a lot of their toys. Don't fall for the temptation to buy more organizing bins and storage containers. This just sets you up to fail. If you are lacking those items, get rid of enough stuff to create more room for the things you are keeping.
By now, you should have made several trips to the local Goodwill store, dropping off your trash, which is now someone else's treasures.
Now, hit the dining room and living room; these usually don't take much time. Because now you need to take care of the homeschool supplies/room. I do not have a room set aside for "school" as I believe all life is learning. But whatever the case, you have got to get a grip. I have learned over the years that curricula can easily be tailored to suit each child, and that means each of my kids has used many of the same items, which means I don't need as much room for curricula! Genius!
Well, they knew it was coming, and it may be difficult, but it's time for the kids' rooms. I save this for last because it's not quite as much of a shock to them, as they have been watching you for the past few weeks (yes, weeks), methodically purging right and left. You can do this one of two ways: while they are gone from the house (I know, it's mean, but it's quicker) or with them, asking for their input, depending on their ages. Again, get rid of enough stuff to create storage for the things you are keeping.
Honestly, we all could easily live with half of our belongings, as long as there is a steady supply of chocolate.
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