We all like to feel like superheroes – managing daily duties, completing all the household chores, crossing off everything from our to-do lists, and still finding time to enjoy a couple of carefree hours with our little ones. If only it were that simple…
If you feel like everything went out of control when you became a parent, you’re not alone. Many parents agree that their newfound role can be quite overwhelming sometimes, and no matter how much they try, it seems like their homes can never look clean and organized. While getting organized does take time, it’ll save you a lot of time in the long run. These five great tips will help get you started and finally bring some order into a chaotic day-to-day routine.
Plan out your weekly menu
Meal planning is probably one of the most effective ways to keep your dad sanity. No one wants to take another trip to the store just because there’s one missing ingredient. Save yourself the trouble and plan out your weekly menu. Write down meals for each day of the week and jot down the ingredients you’ll need to get from the store. Make sure to take this list with you every time you go grocery shopping. Another advantage of this approach to food is that you’ll always know what to cook without giving it too much thought, and you’ll also save some time (and probably some money if you manage to only buy the ingredients from the list).
Give every item in your house a home
When things don’t have their place, it can get very messy very quickly. One way to deal with this is to ensure everything your kids use has a “home”. Whether it’s their action figures, dolls, or books, make sure they are placed in an easily accessible space, and teach your children how every toy needs to go “home” after they’re done playing with it. Your best option would be to get an open shelving unit and maybe even get labels and bins so that everything goes where it belongs. If you deem yourself to be handy with tools, you can also surprise your kids and build DIY shelves on your own.
Rely on multipurpose furniture to keep the clutter at bay
Furniture that serves more than one purpose is a godsend for rooms that tend to get cluttered pretty easily, and it works wonders for smaller homes. To keep clutter at bay in your living room, simply incorporate ottomans with built-in storage. Other than being an additional seating option, they’ll store smaller items and can even be used as coffee tables. As for the bedroom, get a bed with drawers that you can use as storage for putting away everything – from bedding and additional blankets and pillows to off-season clothing and children’s toys. It’ll free up some valuable space and also save you money since you’ll be getting 2 in 1.
Get your children to pitch in with the household chores
It’s not only up to parents to keep the home clean and tidy – children can pitch in, too! Depending on your kids’ age, you should consider assigning them with chores that are appropriate for them. Of course, don’t expect them to do it the same way you would, and always show how much you appreciate it (weekly allowances are a good idea, as well). By helping out, children learn responsibility and it also gives them a sense of confidence – it’s a win-win situation all around!
Create a routine for your kids to follow
Routines don’t only make life easier, but they also help children understand the importance of time management. Simple things like brushing teeth twice a day will help establish daytime and nighttime routines, while chores and mealtime routines will provide a sense of certainty as well as security. Kids need some structure in their lives, and it’s best to start introducing routines early on as it’ll help build lifelong habits.
While we’d all like our family homes to live up to a show-home standard, it’s not necessarily unattainable. Even though it’s in kids’ nature to create mess and clutter with their items and toys, there are ways to keep your home tidy and organized without breaking too much sweat. By following these tips, you can rest assured your home will look ready for entertaining even when your buds decide to come unannounced for a round of beer and chips.