Sometimes family life is just chaotic.  We can’t control when our little ones spill milk on their shirts on the way out the door, or when the baby needs a new diaper just as we need to dash to the bus stop.  However, I have found by that controlling what I can, the other stuff becomes more manageable.

Home management for me is a constant learning process.  I have to continuously update my “system” and I am always experimenting with new ways of doing things.  But, here are a few tried and true tips that have helped our family survive the chaos:

Keep a stocked diaper bag/snack bin/backpack

I like to keep the supplies ready to go so that we are ready to run out the door.  I always keep diapers and wipes in the car, but I also have a bin of portable snacks that I can grab on the way out (cereal bars, goldfish, crackers, etc).

I also keep other bags ready as well.  My son’s backpack gets emptied and restocked immediately after school.  Sports bags are reloaded with clean uniforms as soon as the laundry is done.

Build in cushion time

I just assume that something is going to slow me down when we are trying to get somewhere.  The dog will need to go out.  The toddler will lose a shoe.  The kindergartener will get distracted finding his socks.  I usually give myself an extra 10 minutes to allow for these unexpected, but common, delays.

Clean up problem areas daily

There’s always one place in a house where piles accumulate.  For us, it’s the kitchen island.  It always has random toys, paperwork, mail, etc.  If I let it fester, the pile gets out of control.  So every day I clear it off.  I hate doing it, but it’s better to deal with problem areas before they become giant projects.

Have stations for common items

Designate a place for mail, shoes, keys, backpacks, school supplies, and so forth.  These are the types of things that both make messes and get lost.  We have a wall cubby for keys and wallets, a basket for shoes and bags in the closet, a wall sorter for mail by the back door, and a pencil case for school supplies in the pantry (since the kids like to draw in the kitchen).  These are all things that get used daily, and it’s helpful to keep track of them.

Make sure your system works for you

There are all sorts of home management systems out there, but they will inevitably fail if they aren’t tailored to your personality.  For instance, a lot of people recommend a monthly menu.  That is wonderful solution for many folks, but it doesn’t work for me.  I don’t like planning ahead that much, and I prefer frequent, smaller grocery trips.  I might feel like pasta one night, and grilling the next.  I might hear the local strawberries are in and so a trip to the farmer’s market is in order.  So, when I shop, I usually buy enough for 3-4 dinners.   I’ll also buy some non- or semi-perishables that will get me through an additional 2-3 meals (canned beans for soup, for instance, or meat that I can freeze).   This is what works for our family, but it’s not ideal for everyone.

An organized household won’t happen automatically, but it’s not hard to pick a few areas to streamline.   Our household is definitely a work in progress, but at least I know I can usually find my keys!