When we begin our focus on the family and home we realise that being a mom is a bit like being the manager of a company.
- You oversee hundreds of decisions daily
- you manage lots of resources
- you help maintain health and nutritional needs
- you discuss and debate financial issues and futures
- you plan projects and arrange events
- you organize transportation and schedule the lives of various individuals
- you have to build a good team
- you help develop careers in individuals
Like the manager of any company, the more smoothly it runs with everyone doing their part at the right time, the less stress the manager goes through and she may end up with some time to play "golf" (get a massage, go out for coffee with a friend, go shopping on your own...).
Firstly in your focus on the family you need to think about...
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR FAMILY?
- Well behaved children?
- A Warm and welcome home?
- Healthy, happy family members?
- Productive activities and time?
You don't want to become a control freak but you do want to find your child's immunisation records in less than an hour
You do want to know that you will have the ingredients in the cupboard when you choose the evening meal
You don't want to feel nervous when you go to use your card because you are not sure how much money is in your account.
You do want a tidy house but not at the expense of your children not being able to enjoy playing with their toys.
Secondly in getting started in our focus on the family and home organization is to TEACH YOUR FAMILY.
Your family is the team you work with. You can put in all the effort you want to organize your home and family but unless you have them working with you, you are going to give up very quickly. So, make your first task to share your goals with your family, plan how it will work together and set the ground rules.
The third step in our focus on family and home organization is to SET UP YOUR FAMILY PLANNER ZONE
This involves setting up your family planner workbook (which you can download from my website soon) and also the message station where all the family can be reminded of what needs to be done and who needs to go where.
Choose where your Zone will be:
Somewhere in the kitchen or an area that is regularly passed by all members of the family multiple times a day is the best place to set up the family planner zone. This zone will be the place you keep your family planner workbook which contains your menu plans, family calendars, quick contact lists, to do lists etc. Some people have used the spot where the phone is kept so it double's as a message centre.
What you will need:
- A pen holder and pens
- Magnets if you are using your fridge to post your family calenders and rewards chart on
- A pin up board if you are using an office type area so you can put up the notices that everyone needs to see.
- Coloured highlighters - a colour for each member of the family
- Some type of table top or fridge top to hold pens, folder
- Blank notepad for messages
- Attractive closable box or tray to keep supplies in if on top of fridge. This will help reduce cluttered messy look. I have used a timber, country looking bread box which looks great. Anything that fits in with your decorating style. Another option is to use a nearby draw or cupboard to store these bits in
- Phone books if near the phone
The fourth step in your focus on the family and home organization is to begin to WORK THROUGH EACH OrganizeOurFamily TOPIC.
You do not need to try and work on everything at once. You also do not need to try and achieve perfection. A perfect home is not necessarily the nicest atmosphere to live in. There should be no standard you are trying to achieve other than your own. Everyone is different so please don't compare. Know what you are comfortable with, what atmosphere you want in your home and work towards that. One more thing, be aware that you will always feel that the jobs are never done. So set small goals and be satisfied when you complete them rather than being frustrated by all that still needs to be done.
The family and home organization areas to work through are:
OUR HOME
OUR ROUTINES
OUR BUDGET
OUR HEALTH
OUR MEALS
OUR SCHOOL TIME
OUR VACATION
OUR TRADITIONS
Getting started has never been easier if you carefully follow these four steps. I wish you all the best in bringing an enjoyable atmosphere to your home as you focus on your family and the lifestyle you want to live together!
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