Conquering Morning Chaos

Before I had children and was up at all hours, I was a morning person.  Perky, alert, and ready-to-face-the-day- that was me...once upon a time. Now it takes all my willpower to roll out of bed in the morning.  :One more minute", I think, whenever the alarm goes off.  Sometimes, the mantra of  "please go back to sleep" echoes in my mind when the sounds of my daughter's cries drift down the hall at three in the morning.

How to stay organized in the morning and getting the kids out the door is a dilemma for many moms.  Here are some tips for conquering the morning chaos:

1) Have a place for everything
Inside the door, have a designated spot for coats and book bags and shoes.  You may have a coat rack, baskets, or a mat where these items can go.  This will help eliminate the amount of time your kids (and you) spend looking for things. You know if something is missing, the first person they will run to for help looking for said item is you.  Put small items that you may easily misplace (such as your cell phone and keys) up and away from little hands and in the same place every time you walk in the door.  As silly as it seems, I laways have to remind myself of this one.

2) Prepare the night before
Make sure all school papers are signed the night before so there isn't a chance of you forgetting to sign them.  Make sure homework is also done and that all book bags are already packed.  Packing them in the morning increases the chance that something will be left behind in the morning chaos.  Have their lunches packed and set out with their book bags in the morning.  On the weekend when you will have more time, prepackage snacks for lunch boxes to save you time during the week. 

3) List morning chores and who is responsible
If your kids need to take the dog out in the morning or do the morning dishes, make sure they know what their responsibilities are ahead of time to avoid arguing (okay so there may still be arguing but you can try) and wasting time in the morning.  Rotate chores or have a reward chart set up so everyone is on the same page.

4)Getting the kids dressed without a hassle
Have two choices of clothes set out the night before for young ones to choose from. Check the weather report to so you know how the kids will need to dress. Write a little note on a white board of outerwear your kids will need (rain coat, umbrella, coat, hat, etc.) or have an outline of a child to which you add the outerwear they will need for the day.  If you are really stressed over time in the morning, you can always put the kids to bed in their clothes.  I used to do this when I was little.  It drove my mother crazy.

5) Calendar Time
Create a family calendar either online (Google calendar is one option) or have one posted with everyone's schedule.  Also, include due dates of your children's assignments to encourage them to post their own (with your help) deadlines.  This is a good habit to foster and it keeps you from having to do all the work.

6) Have a routine and try to stick with it 
Be consistent with your morning routine so your kids know what to expect so the morning is not a free for all. When you have several children and a spouse clamoring with different requests and your being pulled in different directions, it can become really chaotic and your nerves will fray.

7) "Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs"
Keep a checklist by the front or side doors of things you need to have done in the morning where you and your kids will see it before you leave the house.  Reminders are never a bad thing.

Less hassle in the morning is always a better way to start the day than dealing with morning chaos.

Baskets, Baskets, Everywhere: Part Deux

Thank you for the great response to the "Baskets, Baskets, Everywhere: Using Baskets to Organize Your Home" post!  You asked, I responded.  Here are pics of how I use baskets in my home.

Keep in mind that using baskets to organize does not mean you have to sacrifice style.  There are a lot of different types of baskets out there in a variety of price ranges.

Kitchen

 This basket is what I use for parties and get-togethers for utensils and napkins.  I believe I purchased it at a garage sale.

 

This is a basket I put on the shelf in my pantry.  I empty boxes or bags of food  that are almost out and put them in this basket to save on shelf space.  Baskets like this can be picked up at dollar stores inexpensively.

Bathroom

 

Here is an example of how to store rolled towels for guests so that they are easily accessible.

I store toiletries for guests in a basket.  I store it under the sink and can pull it out when I have guests.  I did this recently after purging outdated toiletries from the drawers in the guest bathroom.  This way everything is in once place and guests don't have to search for items. I recycled the basket.  I had gotten it as a gift as part of a Johnson & Johnson baby product gift set when my oldest daughter was born.

 

Closets

 

This is our "sock basket" for the single socks that always seem to find their way into the laundary.  As you can see, I wait until it is full to sort through it!   I went with a more feminine basket since its in my closet.  I use the same style basket for all of my wallets, purses, travel soap holders, travel jewelry organizer, and travel toothbrush holders.

Living Room/Family Room

 

I use this basket style bowl for decorative items such as cinnamon scented pinecones in the winter.

In our family room, our daughter's Snow White cooking set items are contained in a basket to cut down on the clutter and to keep from losing all of the little pieces.

Our daughter's CDs are stored in this Longenberger basket.

I store magazines in a tall basket from Pier 1 and I also use a metal firewood basket for magazines.

In our living room, I store toys in these baskets that I picked up at Kohl's.  Originally I had used wicker baskets but I had worried about them being within my oldest daughter's reach when she started to crawl because she would move them and little pieces of wicker would break off.  I found these and they are perfect for living spaces with young children.  I'm not sure what the fabric material is made of  but they are not wood and they are easy to clean.  The frame is a coated metal.  They are also very durable.  Fabric bins are also good to use for storage if you have young kids.

Note: If your wondering why our coffee table is against the wall, I have one word for you: toddler.

Office

 

This is the garbage can in my husband's office.  My husband did not buy this, I did, of course.

 

I doubt any explanation is needed for these woven magazine holders.

Bedroom

 

I just picked this Moses basket up for $20 at Ross.  It is perfect for storing my daughter's stuffed animals and we can move it easily.

Hallway 

 

These Rattique storage baskets (I think I got them at Bed Bath & Beyond) hold our gloves, hats, mittens, and scarves on the table in the hall between our kitchen and the garage.  This way they stay off of the floor.

Baskets, Baskets, Everywhere: Using baskets to Organize Your Home

As you walk from room to room in my home, one of the things you will notice is the number of baskets.  I just noticed the other day that I have baskets in every room of our house.  I love to organize and to reorganize again and again.

Baskets come in all shapes and sizes, with and without lids, and in all price ranges.  They can be found at almost any store from grocery stores to home decor stores.  They can also be picked up cheaply at thrift stores and garage sales.

Here are some ways to utilize baskets to help you organize your house and cut the clutter:

Kitchen

• Use decorative baskets to store fruit, dish towels, or stray recipes
• Use to store crackers, cereal, snacks, etc. (toss/recycle the boxes that these things come in when they are close to empty and store the cellophane bags in a basket so you can clear up shelf space)
• Use to store cleaning supplies, cleaning sponges, and other cleaning tools
• In cupboards use small baskets for small items (this works well with baby items such as pacifiers, bottle nipples, etc.)
• I have a basket with dividers that is perfect for storing utensils and napkins for when we have get-togethers

Bathroom

• Use baskets to store spare towels (they look pretty and decorative rolled up and placed nicely in a basket)
• Have a small basket with toiletries for guests to use
• Use to store hair accessories and combs/brushes 
• Use to store extra toilet paper so you don't have to rummage in the closet 

Closets

• Store candles, potpourri, and other decorative items (they also make your closet smell good) in baskets
• Have a basket for socks that have missing mates (I have a whole basket of them that I periodically sort through)
• Use them to store purses, wallets, and various travel related items

Living Room/Family Room

• Use to store toys, magazines, hobbies (i.e. crafts)
• Bread baskets are perfect for storing CDs
• Roll blankets and place them in baskets for a decorative look (they are easy to pull out for snuggling on the sofa)
• A small basket can be used to store all your remote controls (if you have gaming systems this is really handy)

 Office

• Use baskets to store files and mail
• Have a to-do basket filled with items that may need attention (this is where I put papers that need to be signed, newspaper clippings that need to be filed, toys that need maintenance, etc.)
• I even have a basket that serves as a mini trash can (it has a liner)
• Use small baskets to collect pens, paper clips, post its and other small office supplies

Bedroom

• Wash (of course)
• A small basket can serve as a catch all for jewelry, items that you take from your pockets at the end of the day, and spare change

Hallways

• Use a small basket on a table or on the floor for your family to drop their hats, mittens, and scarves
• A little basket can collect car and house keys (so you always know where they are)
• Have a basket to store book bags and any other items (such as sports equipment) that your family comes home with from school or work
• Have a basket on the stairs to put items that belong upstairs so that you can take it up when you go upstairs so you are not running up and down the steps needlessly (unless you like the exercise!)

Baskets always make perfect gifts to!  Just fill them with goodies and present them for birthdays, housewarming gifts, and any other occasion.

Supermarket Sanity Savers

Everyone's heard of road rage but what about grocery cart rage? Seriously. I was thinking about this in the crowded grocery store today (thank goodness my husband was watching the kids while I shopped). Sundays have to be the busiest day of the week for grocery stores. The aisles are clogged with carts-the car carts (or the doublewides), the little carts, and the regular old fashioned carts. People seem so short tempered and irate as they scour the aisles for items on their lists so they can check them off and go on their merry way. I try to be patient and remember to say excuse me as I maneuver around people on my marathon supermarket expeditions. Usually my toddler will be losing her patience or I need to get home to relieve my husband of babysitting detail.

Tips to Help Keep Your Sanity When Grocery Shopping

1. Have a list and stick to it (look through the ciculars at home when your making the list to check out what items are on sale instead of walking down all the aisles looking for bargains).

2. Have the items on your list grouped based on where they are located in the store (ex. vegetables and fruits, meats, and dairy).

3. Go at an hour when the store will be less crowded (if you can).

4. Have your coupons clipped to your list so you won't forget to hand them to the cashier and have your store card ready at checkout so your not digging in your purse.

5. Use cloth bags that most stores sell now (they fit more items and are easier to carry).

6. When unloading your cart at checkout, keep your items grouped together so that when they are being bagged certain items will be bagged together. I keep items together that will make it easier to sort and put away when I go home (ex. vegetables and fruits, frozen items, snacks, condiments, and meats.)

7. Park next to the carrels where you can return your cart so you don't have to run back inside the store or leave your cart in the parking lot.

8. Try to go without the kids (you'll spend less money and you'll make it out of there in less time).