Organization and Managing Time Tips

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2004
Organization and Managing Time Tips
9
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 7:52pm

Hello My name is Marie and I am new here on this board. I have been a SAHM for about 14 mos now.

I am looking for some tips on Organization and Managing Time. Here are some questions that may help to find the answers I am looking for.

~ Do you have any organiztional tips that worked for you? EXAMPLES:(Things that help keep house in order without stressing about it everyday)

~Do you have Managing Time tips to share? EXAMPLE:(Time with children, Time for household chores, Time for yourself, etc. )

~ Any other useful tips that you think would be helpful?

I have just a few that I have found that works well for me.
~ Having a bag packed and ready to go at all times so that I am not scrambling around at the last minute for diapers, extra clothes, etc.
~Having a routine in the evening (playtime, supper, playtime, bath every other night,reading time, then put my son to bed by 8-8:30pm

I thank you all in advance. I could really use the tips!

~Marie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 8:03pm

Sorry no routine here but probably should incorporate one in the new year.


When I did have a routine - it was like Monday was kitchen, Tuesday was laundry, etc. etc.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2004
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 10:15pm

Hi Marie!


I just popped out of lurkdom today on this board too, so welcome welcome from one newbie to another! I'm not new to I-Village, but new here!


The main things I do...


*I have my "housekeeping" days on a schedule. Monday/Tuesday is laundry day. Wednesday is whatever day, I usually just keep things picked up, but use it as my "day off". Thursday/Friday are my deep clean days where I do all the dusting, vaccuming, bathroom, etc. I keep things pretty neat and make sure to do the dishes mostly everynight so they don't pile up on me. (no dishwasher! UGH!)


*I assign myself one project a week, this week was to get Mahri's 12-18 Month clothing put away for my niece and her

MarBlackRed-1.png picture by NiksAlbum  

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2004
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 10:36pm

I like the idea of setting a day aside for certain chores. It's definitely worth a try!

OH and I have definitely learned to allow room for flexabilty when it comes to having a toddler around! Ha ha.

Nice to meet you, by the way!

~Marie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2004
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 11:01pm

Hi Nichole!

I'm not new to IVillage either but new to this board as well. Nice to meet you!

I really, really love the idea of the Dry Erase Board for the Grocery list. I also think I'd like to try to incorporate the "Housekeeping" days on a schedule. Thanks for posting your tips. I'm glad I started this thread and hope to see more ideas from others.

~Marie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2004
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 11:48pm

I'm glad I had some ideas for you, I'm glad you started the thread too so I can get some more!


And..nice to meet you too! =)


Marie is my middle name...it's a great one!

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MarBlackRed-1.png picture by NiksAlbum  

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 9:57am
Check out www.organizedhome.com
it is pretty good. Hope it helps.
Jessica
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2004
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 11:17am

Thanks Jessica! I got a little sneek peek at it...( I'm supposed to be cleaning right now..he he) and added it to my favorites so that I can use some of these great ideas. :)

Yay! My New Year is about to get a good start!

Happy New Year!

Marie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 1:17pm

This is such a great thread, especially since one of my resolutions is to get everything organized in my house. It's great to read everyone's responses.


Some things I already do are:


*I have a dry erase board calendar that I update monthly to write down when bills are due and upcoming events.


*I have a regular calendar hanging up (called a Family Planner Calendar that came with stickers from my DH's work) that allowed me to chart his schedule a year in advance and put down all birthdays so we don't forget.


*When it comes to cleaning, I like to do cleaning in the morning. Usually I'll do the dishes then have breakfast and spend some time cleaning. I don't set aside specific days to clean certain rooms, mainly because if I see something that I can't let go until next week I have to clean it right then. Hopefully after the beginning of the New Year my house won't be too bad anymore. LOL We just have a lot of clutter.


*I also do a menu for the next two weeks so that I know exactly what I need to buy at the store and make a shopping list as the two weeks go by. That also makes cooking easy because I don't have to scramble and try to decide what we're going to eat. I just look at my list and pull the chicken out of the freezer or whatever we're eating, KWIM?


I agree though with a toddler it is hard to plan a specific schedule. I know that my son can wake up anytime between seven and ten in the a.m. so that affects when he goes down for his nap which affects when he goes down to sleep at night. I think it is important since we are home to help maintain a clean home, but IMO if something won't get done until tomorrow, I know I'll try to get it done tomorrow. It's more important to spend that time with Noah.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2006
Mon, 01-01-2007 - 5:08pm

Hi Marie,

It's so hard!! I have a dry erase in my laundry room and kitchen. The kitchen is for a tally of things I need to buy or my to-do list. It's nice being able to cross one off. The one in the laundry room is for messages to myself, like YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Or I have my kids draw a funny picture just to make me smile when I least expect it.

Next thing I do, and sometimes it's hard cause when Daddy comes home, I want a break, But I straighten as much as I can at night, believe me it's so nice to wake up in the morning to clean areas instead of OMG BOMB WENT OFF spaces. It really helps to brighten my day.

Good Luck
Joey

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