Organization Tips for Families with Two Working Parents
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 69 percent of households with school-age children have two working parents today. It is challenging enough to be a parent, but when you are trying to juggle it with a career, it can become quite stressful and, frankly, exhausting. Between work, homework, extracurricular activities, household chores, and everything else that comes with raising a family, the responsibilities of working parents often leave very little time left to get organized. This can cause additional stress and distractions at home and at work. Luckily, with a few simple tricks of the trade, it is possible for families with two working parents to earn back some hours in their day, get organized, and enjoy more free time to spend together.
Keep a Calendar
A calendar is a must for busy families. But whether you use your computer, a PDA, or just a paper calendar, make sure you only have one with everything on it. I have been in too many homes where there are two or three calendars, and that can actually make it more difficult to get organized. Remember that keeping track of your kids’ days off from school and all their extracurricular activities is only part of the equation. It can be helpful to plan chores, work schedules, family events, and other activities on your calendar, too.
Simply listing these events on the calendar and forgetting about them is not enough. To effectively get organized, you must also refer to your calendar regularly. Get into the habit of blocking out some time on Sunday to look at the week ahead and review what types of events are scheduled. Make sure that each family member involved knows their part. You do not want to end up with a child left somewhere for hours because someone forgot or was not told to pick them up. In case of an emergency, such as a snow day, it is a good idea to have a few back up helpers you can call.
Designate Laundry Day
You can use your calendar to help you accomplish your to-dos around the house as well. You are more likely to cross items off your chore list if you have a set time each week to devote to specific chores. I especially recommend designating a day or days to do laundry. Families of five or more should do laundry in cycles throughout the week to make sure everyone has what they need. For example, you can do the darks on Monday and Wednesday, whites on Tuesday and Thursday, and towels and sheets on Sunday. Family members can take turns each day, so that one person is not left to tackle it all by themselves. This is also a great way for your kids to learn how to be responsible and do their own laundry.
Make a Menu
Cooking and meal prep is much quicker and easier when you have a plan. I recommend making a menu for the entire week before you go grocery shopping. Decide on the main course for each day, double check the required ingredients, and make a list of anything that you need to pick up when you go to the store. This will save you from the stress of deciding what to make for dinner and the hassle of taking multiple trips to the grocery store after a long day at work.
Clean Up After Yourself
Picking up after yourself and putting away loose items is something you should do every single day, if you truly want to live an organized life. Designate a period of time each evening for each family member to pick up any clothing, toys, or possessions that are out of place. Putting away loose items every night leaves the house clean and neat for the next night. This makes it easier to stay focused on your day, and you also avoid the overwhelm of having to spend twice as long tackling a giant mess on the weekend.
Get the Entire Family Involved
When it comes to duties around the house, it is never too soon to involve your kids. Chores get done much faster when everyone pitches in, and they provide important life lessons in responsibility for your kids. School-age children should be able to strip their bed, make their bed daily, pick up their room, feed the pet, fold or put away laundry, and set and clear the table. According to experts, it takes 21 days to develop a habit. The younger your kids are when you give them responsibilities, the better off they will be in the future when they must take care of themselves. You will also be met with less resistance when you ask them to take on more responsibility as they get older.
Statistics show that there are now more families with two working parents than ever before. This means that in most households, everyone has less time to cook, clean, and get the kids to all of their activities. These organization tips will help you keep your head on straight and make your week run more smoothly.
However, even with these tips, I know that getting organized can still be overwhelming when you have a lot on your plate. If you need professional support, give me a call at 614-329-5908 or reach out online. I am happy to help you identify solutions that will bring better organization to your home and free up some time for family.