Back to School Chaos to Calm

Back to School! Yes, I've said it! I know it's the phrase kids dread hearing right now. While the carefree days of summer are wonderful, there's something comforting about the routine and structure the school year brings, even if it can be a bit hectic.

With one in college and one starting his junior year, my schedule is a lot freer than it ever has been.  That being said, I remember the hustle and bustle of the mornings and evenings with younger children like it was yesterday.  It was so hard!  I like to think back to the many mornings that went off with out a hitch, but who’s kidding? So many times I ended up with someone in tears on the ride to school because by the time I said, “Get your shoes on!” for the fourteenth time, I was losing it.  Some days I was the one in tears on the way to school feeling like a terrible, chaotic mom. How could anyone have a good day if it started this way?  I have a degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies, for Pete’s Sake!  I can manage a classroom full of children, what is going wrong here?? I longed for routine and order.

The truth is we all do what we can, the best we can.  Some days this means we hit all the targets and our children look as organized as the Von Trapp children with the Captain. Other days it means we look like we are herding cats while trying to juggle chainsaws.  It’s ok, we all have those days. We get it! Well, let me tell you what I learned in those days: I finally realized I needed to apply my classroom management skills to my home. Maybe this idea can help you too!

Routines.  Routines were the key to my classroom and they were certainly key to my family having smooth mornings and evenings.  Evening routines were the most important, especially with young children. They thrive on consistency and routines. Think about your mornings.  What could be done in the evening to alleviate stress in the mornings?  For my family, this meant laying out clothes and packing lunches the night before.  

Here is a sample of our evening routine when my children were young:

• Clean up toys 

• Dinner

• Make lunches (Kept in fridge until the A.M.) 

• Get out school clothes

• Pack any papers needed in backpacks and put backpacks at the door. (Should be done at homework time.)

• Bath/Potty

• Pjs

• Books

• Lights out

Every bit of this can be done with the help of your children.  We had approved snack baskets in the fridge and in the pantry for them to make healthy choices.  They were able to help make sandwiches too.  One child didn’t want bread so she simply rolled up lunchmeat and cheese!   

If you don’t want to fight about the clothes every night, get a 5-tiered shelf that hangs on the closet rod.  On Sundays put outfits together (1 per shelf), socks and underwear included.  

If toys are given a specified home, then clean up is easier.  Mom and Dad, you have to supervise this because kids are not a fan of clean up time.  They WILL shove things where they don’t belong if you aren’t in there.  Sorry, but you all know it’s the truth.  15 minutes should do it if it’s a nightly routine.  Clean up to music to make it more fun. 

Another suggestion that children will not be a fan of:  No electronics during the week.  I was not going to fight with my children every night to put away the ipad.  Once they had phones, they were plugged in to charge in our main hall at night.  

Now that all of this is done at night, the morning routine is easy.  (Insert evil laugh)  Well, easier than before?

Here is a sample of my morning routine:

Here is a sample of our morning routine when my children were young:

• Breakfast-try to think healthy and protein filled.  You can make breakfast muffins on the weekends if needed but kids need a healthy breakfast.  

• Get dressed-Hair, clothes, shoes and brushed teeth

• Put lunch in backpack 

• Grab backpack

• Off to school.

That’s much better, right?

Now, here’s the best part.  Type your lists on your computer. (Use pictures along with the words for young children who can’t read.)  Insert these lists into sheet protectors and hang them on the refrigerator.  Tie a dry erase marker to the page.  Now, the kids can check off their own “to do” lists so you aren’t having to be responsible for every step.  You are the overseer/assistant.  The children gain a sense of independence and you gain some peace.   (Each child had its own age appropriate list.)

I unfortunately cannot alleviate the stress of homework and projects that come with this time of year, but with these routines I hope I can help you organize some of the Chaos that going back-to-school can bring.

Need help? Email us at info@ChaosOrganizing.com

6 Tips for the Southern New Year (AKA Fall)

Who is ready for cooler temps, routines and getting back to busy work/school/play life balance? Yeah, not me either. BUT. with the right prep, you can be ready for all the fun (and stressful) things life will throw at you this fall. I can’t help you with Algebra tutoring, but as a Mom who has been there, I can help you set up your spaces for less stress and more success!

1. Routines: Set up routines so that the work is shared amongst the household.  In my home we had a morning routine, afternoon/afterschool routine and evening routine.  These routines are key to teaching your family how to be responsible for themselves and gives Mom’s a little extra time for a needed break. (Age appropriate goals, of course) 

2. Command Center: With all the activities that come during the fall season, a command center is a must!  Set up a command center with a calendar, space for backpacks(and soccer bags, dance bags, etc.), purses, wallets and anything else needed to get out the door quickly. Everything needed to get out the door should be put here the night before so that your morning is smooth sailing!

3. Car Organization: Time to take the beach chairs out and put the soccer chairs in!   Carpool, tailgating, camping and sports will require our cars to make the transition from summer fun to activity-full fall!  Having a trunk organizer that has an ice chest and containers for afterschool snacks, tailgating items or sports equipment helps keep it all running smoothly!  

4. Homework Station: Setting up a homework space is vital to starting the school year off successfully.  A clutter free space that holds pens, pencils, highlighters or whatever is needed to get the job done works well.  Latch boxes work well at containing supplies and a rolling cart that holds the latchboxes keeps the mess contained and transportable to any homework table available.

5. Tailgating items:  Storage Tubs filled with tailgating items can be stored in the garage or outdoor storage room for ease. Categorize and label the tubs into how they will be used.  That way the tubs with food items can be unpacked and stored properly after the tailgate while tubs containing paper and plastic goods can be put back outside.  Taking an inventory of what tubs needs to be refilled is vital during the after tailgate pack up time so that your next tailgate runs smoothly.

6. Hunting Season: Having a closet or space designated to your hunter keeps the clutter from spilling over into your other spaces. (Your bedroom, living room or guest room…yes, I live with a hunter! I get it!) Shelving with tubs (60 quart for large items and 6 quart for small items) that hold the various amounts of camo and accessories can be very helpful.  I categorize them as they are used.  Upland bird, turkey, deer, duck, etc.  We have a gun safe for any weapons and keep the ammo separate for safety reasons.  Trigger locks are great for any guns that are not in a safe. Pegboards or slatwall are terrific for storing bows and calls.

   Now that you have a few tips to get you started, make sure you check out our Back to School Amazon list for our favorite items to help you get on your way! https://www.amazon.com/shop/chaosorganizing/list/7FX706QHPK2N?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfchaosorganizing_2VA8Q1XVKTP8TC8ZR0C2

   (We do make a small commission on this but this does not affect you or the price in any way)

   or for more details on how to get organized check out the fall chapter in Southern Chaos: Organizing the Southern Home. https://www.organizingsouthernchaos.com/

   Needing 1:1 guidance? Give us a call at 225-205-6400 and lets get you on the calendar.

   We are wishing you a fabulous and successful fall season!

   Happy New Year, Y’all!

Life is Short, Enjoy it by Using Your Crystal

If we’ve learned anything over the past couple of years, it’s that life can change on a dime. It’s important to remember those “things” that you are saving, well, saving for what? Who could be more important than your family?

Maybe china and crystal aren’t your thing? Whatever your “fancy” holiday dishes may be, it’s time to bring them out and enjoy them. For me, that means my Great-Grandmother’s china is front and center. You may have opted for something more contemporary, less formal or even less breakable, which I completely understand, but having my china on the table reminds me that life is fragile so enjoy it. No matter if you are having a formal event or a casual one, your decorated and well-set table can make the event feel more festive and your guests more welcome. Your centerpiece might be a mason jar of camellias from the yard or a fancy floral arrangement, either way, having a centerpiece brightens up the table and changes the mood from an ordinary dinner to a celebration! So, pull out the fancy, put on a smile and enjoy this time with the people you love.

Here is a guide on how to set the table. It’s really important to know and certainly a job that the older kids can do for you if you are busy in the kitchen.

Here are some other places that we found inspiration for a beautiful holiday table! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g634/thanksgiving-table-settings-1108/?slide=6

https://www.livingwithlandyn.com/2016-11-3-chic-thanksgiving-table/elegant-and-easy-thanksgiving-table-settings

Want Holiday Inspo? Grab Your copy of Southern Chaos Today!

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Preparing Your Home for Guests this Holiday Season

Can you believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?!

I don’t know about you, but for us, this year has absolutely flown by! Here are a few tips to jog your memory on how to prep for guests coming in town during the holidays.

Guest bedrooms – Southern Style

• YOU will NEED CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE BEDDING FOR THE GUEST BEDROOM. 

  Clean being the more important of the two! Make sure all bedding is washed and the bed is made neatly. Yes, they might mind the Louisiana Catahoula hound hair on the pillow! Make sure to have enough pillows and an extra blanket if needed. Here is a link to “How to Make a Bed,” in case you need some help.

• CLUTTER FREE SPACE IS IMPORTANT.

  Of course, they want to see the 72 photos of you and your kids at the Saints game displayed on the nightstand, but they’d also like a space to rest their own personal items. Make sure the bedside table is clear enough for them to have space for their phones, ipads, laptops or other personal items. Be sure to have a spot for their luggage. Maybe just 1 photo of Drew Brees hanging on the wall will suffice? Having a little hanging space in the closet is considerate too. Move the debutante dresses to the other closet!

• HELP ENTERTAIN YOUR GUESTS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT SLEEPING HABITS THAN YOUR FAMILY BY PROVIDING SOFT LIGHTING, WATER, SNACKS AND ENTERTAINMENT. 

  
  Lamps, books, InRegister, 225 magazines, local brochures for nearby attractions as well as a Wi-Fi password provided for late night or early morning reading are a just few nice touches. Water and snacks like pralines, Satsuma’s, or Zapp’s chips help a guest feel cozy and may make them forget that it’s 90% humidity outside on Thanksgiving Day. Did I mention they might need hair ties? Do they need space for a C-Pap machine, medications, baby to sleep or nurse?

Guest Bathrooms

• PLACE A CLEAN BATH TOWEL, FACE TOWEL, AND WASHCLOTH ON THE GUEST’S BED SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO SEARCHING FOR WHAT THEY CAN USE.

  In my house, I like to designate certain towels as guest towels so that my family members don’t use them to wash the dog or clean up the mud on the floor (Can you relate?). My guest towels don’t look like the others. They are actually white, for one (not dingy white and well loved). I have put these in baskets, tied them with a ribbon, or just stacked them nicely. Any of those options make the guest feel welcome.  

• A NICE BASKET OR CONTAINER OF TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES IS HELPFUL IF YOUR GUEST FORGOT AN IMPORTANT ITEM.

  This basket can include but is not limited to shampoo, body wash, conditioner, toothbrush, razor, mouthwash, toothpaste, dental floss, comb, hair ties, or bug spray (mosquitos are like hawks, y’all). If your guests have small children, include toiletries geared for children as well.  

• MAKE SURE THAT THE BATHROOM IS CLEAN.

  This is especially important if your guests share the bathroom with my children. Uhm, I mean children. Any children.  

All of these tips can help your guests feel relaxed and pass a good time while staying in your home. They let your guests feel that they are wanted and welcome. But be careful, if you are too kind, they might not leave. And as my Mother-in-law likes to say, company and fish stink after about 3 days!

Most importantly, y’all have a good time, cher! Laisses Bon Temps Rouler!

DOES PREPARING YOUR GUEST ROOM FOR COMPANY SEEM OVERWHELMING? LET US GIVE YOU A HAND!

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Utilizing Hanging Racks to Store Holiday Decor

It is finally that time of year… Fall! The weather is cooling down, leaves are falling, and football season is in full swing. Around the beginning of October is when many of us will begin to decorate for Fall and Halloween and we have a great tip on how to store all of your holiday decor…

Ever thought about putting a hanging rack in your attic?  

Whhhhaaaattttt?

Yes! These racks are for much more than hanging extra clothes; they are great for storing your holiday décor as well!

·     Wreaths 

·     Christmas garland 

·     Costumes (in garment bags)

·     Skeletons, ghosts or other long decor

·     Holiday lights (wrapped around hangers) 

·     Out of season clothing

What other ideas can you come up with?  We’d love to hear from you!

There are many different types of hanging racks to choose from in all price ranges. Here are a few of our favorites.

Need help getting your attic organized for this holiday season? Give us a call!

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