Managing the mess that kids make can be overwhelming sometimes. But by adding some simple routines and expectations, your household will function like clockwork!

Make organizing a part of each day. Let kids know that they need to be responsible for their own possessions. Teach children how to pick up after themselves. It’s important to show kids that every item they own has a “home” where it needs to return when they’re done using it. Be consistent.

Establish simple routines that are age-specific. Younger children will need more direction and simpler expectations than pre-teens and teenagers. For example, saying “Clean up your room” is overwhelming to a kindergartner. Instead, try “Please put the Legos in the shoebox and your books on the bookshelf.”

Some tasks that children under five can do:

• put dirty laundry in the hamper
• clean up toys (with assistance) at the end of the day

Kids over five should also be able to:

• make their beds every day
• clean up toys throughout the day
• select their clothing for the next day
• take schoolwork out of their book bags each day

As they grow, add more responsibilities. You are giving them skills and confidence to tackle more challenging projects in the coming years. And, most important, praise your children frequently for their efforts.

Don’t forget that children of all ages need routines and schedules, as well as downtime.

• Set out the breakfast dishes each evening so you have a few extra minutes to languish over breakfast treats and conversation with your family in the morning. Also, gather bookbags and double check that permission slips, sports equipment, and lunch money are ready to go. Lay out tomorrow’s clothing to avoid hassles.

• Throughout the year, maintain routines for bedtime, mealtime, chores, etc. Allow some flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise.

• Slow down and unplug to enjoy and appreciate life. Turn off the TV and computer and head outside to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Set aside some special time — a weekend morning is great — to cuddle on the couch and talk about the week’s events.

© 2006 Articles on Demand™

Do you have photos spilling out of shoeboxes, cluttering up closets, or crumbling in the attic? Now is the perfect time to get your collection under control with the following simple process. Recognize that it will take some time — especially if you have decades’ worth of photos to organize — but with regular maintenance, your collection will offer a lifetime of enjoyment for you and your family.

(Please note that this article details the first steps to take before tackling any scrapbooking project, but scrapbooking need not be the end result. Creating albums is not for everyone, as it can be time-consuming, expensive, and even frustrating. So just try the easy organizing process listed below and see what happens!)

1: Think of the goal. Before you begin, recognize why you are starting this process. Perhaps it’s to preserve and share memories. Or maybe you just want to eliminate those scattered piles of photos and negatives once and for all. Whatever your reasons, keep them in mind throughout the organization process.

2: Gather photos in one place. The first step to creating an organized collection is to gather the photos all in one place. Check everywhere for hidden photos — attics, basements, files, closets, under the beds, and in current non-archival albums. Decide on a large, central work surface, such as the dining room table or an out-of-the-way floor. You’ll want a space that will be undisturbed so you won’t feel rushed to finish.

3: Sort the photos. This is the part that will take the longest, but it goes quickly once you set up your system. The most common way to sort is chronologically. This works well for most people because our minds tend to think chronologically. As you sort through the photos, place them in labeled stacks, envelopes, or boxes by year. Once sorted by year, you can go one step further and sort again by month if you desire. If narrowing down to a specific year is difficult, try just sorting the photos into decades. If you’re overwhelmed by the sorting process, start with the most recent ones first and save the older ones for later.

Another way to sort is by broad category or theme. For example, you might sort by events such as vacations, holidays, or weddings, or by family members or sides of the family. If you run across photos that stump you, pop them in a “mystery photo” box for later research at family reunions. Just like any organizing project, it’s important to group similar objects together so you can really see what and how much you have. Once the sorting process is complete, see if you have duplicates you can toss or share with someone else. If you have 25 photos of your son’s third birthday, perhaps you can share some with the grand-parents, or enlarge and frame your favorites. And remember, it’s okay to toss any photos that are out of focus, dark, off-center, or that you just don’t like.

Make this process as fun as possible, inviting family or friends over to help. Play some music, have some snacks (just be sure to always wash your hands before handling photos), and stop when you get tired or bored. Set a regular schedule to work on the sorting process so you don’t lose steam.

4: Store them properly. You’ve made the time investment to sort your photos. Now make sure they’re preserved for generations to come by using archival-quality storage materials. Some types of storage include photo storage boxes, accordion file boxes, 3-ring binders filled with photo sheets, and heavy-duty plastic (poly) envelopes. Your local office supply or scrapbooking store will have a variety to choose from. Whatever you choose, look for products that are acid-free, archival, lignin-free, and PVC-free. Store the photos away from light, heat, and humidity. (Basements and attics are no-nos.) Now your photos are ready for scrapbooking, or simply to enjoy as is!

5: Maintain the system. As new photos enter your home, be sure to sort and store them according to your new system.

© 2006 Articles on Demand™

When your office is mobile, it has to be efficient. Use these simple organizing tips to keep your papers at your fingertips and your mode of transportation neat as a pin!

• Use clear cosmetic bags or small Ziploc bags to store supplies such as pens, pencils, Post-its, paper clips, scissors, and a glue stick.

• Always have a box of thank-you notes and envelopes on hand to write on the go. Also include postage stamps and return address labels.

• Use a portable file box, filled with your current project and client files, to keep papers corralled. Or, if traveling by air or train, invest in an expandable briefcase. Make sure to have extra folders and labels so you can create new files on the run. Always bring company promotional materials, including extra business cards, just in case.

• Keep an envelope or expandable wallet file to gather expense receipts.

• If you have a laptop computer, store as much information on it as you can, e.g., phone numbers, calendars, and client information. This will limit the hard copy materials you’ll need to lug around.

• Always pack your supplies in the same area of your box or bag. Before you leave, give it a once-over to make sure it’s well stocked.

• Keep reading material together in one file. When you find yourself waiting for an appointment, take that opportunity to catch up on the latest industry news. Or, clean out your briefcase while waiting for the train or plane.

© 2006 Articles on Demand™

GATHER SUPPLIES: First, gather file folders, hanging file folders, a felt-tip pen and large garbage (or recycling) bags or boxes. Every household or office also needs an appropriate type of file cabinet or box; the size will depend on the amount of papers you must keep. Make a commitment to work on this project for at least one uninterrupted hour. Enlist a friend or professional organizer if you need help or encouragement.

Determine where to start: Start on desktops, countertops or urgently-needed surfaces. Your most recently-received papers will be here. Resist the urge to start with the papers on the floor or stuffed in paper bags or boxes.

IDENTIFY: Determine the types of papers you receive on a regular basis as you start sorting. Create a neat pile of the papers on the surface you’re working on. Pick up the top one. Ask yourself, “What is this? Do I need to keep it? Do I need to take action on this? Or do I just need to file it in case I need to retrieve it later?” Toss as much as you can.

SORT: As you encounter papers that need to elicit an “action,” put them in a folder labeled “TO DO” (i.e., class to sign up for, RSVP to send, etc.)

As you encounter bills to pay, separate them out by putting them in a folder labeled “BILLS TO PAY.” (Try a bright red folder.)

As you encounter papers that simply need to be read and then disposed of (magazine articles you clipped, newsletters, etc.), put them in a folder labeled “TO READ.” Tip: Take this folder with you when you’ll be waiting in lines (e.g. doctor’s office, dentist, bank, mechanic, etc.)

As you encounter papers that need to be discussed with your significant other or co-worker, put them in a folder labeled “DISCUSS WITH XXXXXXX.”

Everything else should be either thrown out or filed neatly according to subject. Sort into simple categories that make sense to you. For example, some home categories might include: medical, pets, taxes, hobbies, outdoor activities, utility bills, car, home improvement, credit cards, insurance, 401K, education, projects.

CONTINUE AND TOSS: Work on getting all surfaces clear of papers using the above techniques. Then, conquer the remaining piles (if any) from the floor or elsewhere. You should find these piles contain more papers for your “toss” category. Remember, only 20% of the things we file will ever be retrieved again. When in doubt, throw it out!

MAINTAIN: From here on out, manage paper daily. Sort mail immediately. Toss out junk mail. Put remainder into “TO READ,” “TO DO,” or “BILLS TO PAY” folders. (Keep these folders in an easily-accessible spot, i.e., the kitchen.) Make time every week to file everything else in your filing cabinet or box.

© 2006 Articles on Demand™

“Getting organized” is more than eliminating clutter and creating neat storage systems. One of the most important areas of organizing is task management. It’s never too early (or too late) to teach kids how to get and stay organized with schoolwork. The skills they learn now will carry over into high school, college, and ultimately, their careers and home management as adults.

• Establish a great homework routine. With your child, determine the best time for daily school work and stick with it. For some kids, it will be right after school. Others may need some downtime to play, and then it’s time to hit the books. The most important thing is to stick to the schedule so your child knows what’s expected.

• Set up the space. Have a designated study area, such as the kitchen table. But for unique assignments, allow for some flexibility such as moving to a rocking chair for reading chapter books. Create a school supply box and keep it well stocked with supplies (paper, pens, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, ruler, sticky notes, calculator, etc.) so kids don’t have an excuse to get up.

• Make sure you know what’s going on at school. Instruct children to unload their backpacks as soon as they come home. Have them hang up their bags in a designated area (try a coat rack, pegs on the wall, or a wicker laundry basket near the front door). This allows for easy access the next day. They should bring homework to the designated study area. Check in each day so you’re aware of their workload and take special care when they seem overwhelmed.

• Encourage the use of lists and planners. The older kids get, the more homework and activities they’ll have. Teach them to manage their tasks with the use of simple lists or a planner/calendar of some sort. Office supply stores sell ones with cute kid-friendly designs, or use computer lists (or even PDAs) for techie kids. When they learn of upcoming assignments, tests, or events, they should write them down in their planners.

• Encourage color coding. Color affects our mood and memory. Let kids pick the colors of their folders and notebooks to correspond to different classes. If green reminds them of science, then they’ll know instantly to grab the green notebook when looking for their science notes.

© 2006 Articles on Demand™