Back-to-school activities will be here sooner than you think.
Before the school starts, it would be good to gather your family for some home decluttering. This is especially important since you are planning to go shopping for children’s clothes, school supplies and whatever else they need.
When clutter is under control and everyone pitches in, you spend less time searching for things and more time enjoying each other’s company. An organized home isn’t just easier to clean, it’s also easier to live in.
Set an example. Parents are responsible for modelling the habits they want to see in their children. Whether your children are small or grown-up, you are still setting positive examples in their lives.
If you make your bed in the morning, you can reasonably expect your child to do the same. When organizing becomes part of your daily routine, it gradually encourages others to follow suit.
Set reasonable expectations. Instead of using vague instructions like “tidy up,” provide clear chores such as “put your shoes in the closet” or “clear the kitchen table.”
Assign tasks based on each person’s abilities. For example, have younger children put away toys while older children wash the dishes. This method encourages everyone to contribute fairly and encourages a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
Evaluate responsibilities. If a family member is juggling school, a demanding job, or caregiving duties, adjust chores accordingly. A teenager studying for finals, a partner working overtime, or a grandparent who helps with school pickups might need a lighter load. Flexibility shows that you value each person’s efforts and time.
Develop visual systems. Visual aids can significantly improve organization within a household. This can include anything from a complete family chore chart to a simple sticky note on the fridge. For families with younger children, including stickers and magnets can make the process more fun and motivating.
Offer meaningful rewards. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Rewards don’t have to be material. Maybe it’s deciding what’s for dinner, having the evening off from dishes, or picking the weekend movie.
For a child, extra playtime might be the perfect incentive. For a partner, it might be as simple as acknowledging, “I appreciated you vacuuming today.”
Build on strengths. Not everyone is naturally tidy, but most people are organized in some way.
A partner might be great with the calendar but not the closets. A teen might keep their gaming setup spotless while their laundry is in a chaotic state. Instead of focusing on what’s lacking, start with what’s working and gently grow from there.
Aim for progress, not perfection. It’s about creating a home that works for the people in it. Whatever your family looks like, finding ways to support each other, share responsibility and enjoy the results together makes life feel calmer and more united. And that’s what truly makes a house feel like home.
Chores don’t always have to feel like work. Turn on some music and clean the house together in a 15-minute power session. Set a timer and race to beat the buzzer. Celebrate your achievement by making pizza, spaghetti or anything else your family likes.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected].
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