It always feels like I come home with so much to unload from the car at the end of the day. The last thing I feel like doing is put it all away because it feels like it takes 1/2 an hour... but I usually try to do it because well, it has to be done, and no one else is going to do it!
1. bring my daughter inside and put her down for her nap (usually)
2. bring in diaper bag, lunch bag, and any grocery sacks from errands on the way home (this often takes me mutiple trips)
3. let the dog out, then wipe his feet
4. get the mail
5. open, sort the mail, and put it away
6. unpack the dirty cloth diapers from the diaper bag
7. refill sippee cup and snack container
8. unpack lunch bag and wash containers
9. put any receipts away, plug cell phone in
10. unpack any groceries and put away
Ok, this is not hard stuff, so I don't know why it can seem like a chore to me, but it can. Maybe I'm just a wimp. Probably so. Anyways. Here are are 2 rules that keep me on task and organized when unpacking and reorganizing at the end of the day.
1. Don't multi-task. (Wastes energy.) Use the one-touch rule. The first time you touch it is the last time - take it where it needs to go and put it away immediately.
2. No piles. Everything has a place to go.
This is the corner of the kitchen closest to where we come in the house. This is where one finds 2 storage spots that keep the counters clear of clutter (ignore the radio in the middle).
1. The basket holds cell phones and chargers, pocket change, etc.
2. The gold flowerpot holds paperwork that is in use - planners, work info, coupons, etc. If it gets too full, I dump it out and go through it.
I feel like these two things - the basket for little clutter/wires and the flowerpot for papers - really help to keep the kitchen counters neat looking.
Now, if I could just get some help with dishes in the sink and the laundry in the baskets....
Disclaimer:
Ok, now I don't have children in elementary school, so I don't have all that stuff coming home to deal with (though I used to teach so I know the papers/projects/fliers that fill the backpacks). I will have to add to the system when that needs to be addressed.
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6 comments:
It just gets easier as the kids get older. I remember what it was like to load and unload the kids and the car and the stroller, etc, it can be exhausting! I like your organization ideas, you've really got it together! I have never been able to hide my kitchen clutter. I wish I had a kitchen with a nice door to close instead of one that looks into the family room. Then I wouldn't have to be constantly reminded of the never ending kitchen chores!
I don't do as much multi-tasking as I used to, because you are right--concentrating on one job is much more efficient. My to do lists (I use "My Ta-Da Lists" and have one for every room) used to be very long because I had them divided into so many microjobs. Now I stick to one area--the counter by the coffee maker, for example--and don't move on until that one's done. Somehow, blocks of 'clean areas' make the whole room look cleaner, faster!
"A place for everything and everything in its place" seems to be a rule you're following, too! I really try. We don't always succeed, (there are 6 people from 18-54 living here, so lots of stuff) but for the most part I can put my fingers on anything I want pretty fast.
You're doing a great job, which isn't easy with a baby!
Why shouldn't you be tried? You are lifting and hauling. Look at it this way. You are saving money by not joining a gym.
I like the basket for the cell phones.
You are not a wimp. I feel like that every day! But one day, the kids will be old enough to carry it in for us!
You are so organized - way so more than me! I am lucky if the diaper bag gets cleaned out 1-2x/week
I love your tip not to mulit-task. Whenever I start on that, I get nothing done!
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