Calm the Family Chaos with Effective Systems to Stay Organized During Busy Times

calm the chaos

 

 

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for families to feel overwhelmed by hectic schedules, piles of responsibilities, and the constant juggling of tasks and priorities. But staying organized during these busy times is crucial for maintaining harmony and well-being for everyone in the household.

The good news is that with a few simple and practical systems, you can help your family navigate the chaos, foster a sense of order and balance, and work together as a team.

 

Your Family’s Centralized Command Center

The foundation for staying organized is a centralized family calendar. This can be a physical wall calendar in the kitchen or a shared digital calendar. The key is to have a central hub that everyone in the family can access and easily update. Use different colors or codes for each family member’s commitments, making it easy to identify who is doing what and when.

Daily Check-Ins for a Connected Family

Research shows the importance of daily check-ins and one-on-one connections with everyone in your family. Establishing a routine for these touchpoints can make a big difference. Spend a few minutes each evening before bedtime with each person to discuss the next day and get organized. This provides an opportunity to prepare for the next day, ensure everyone is on the same page, and delegate tasks accordingly. It also fosters communication and strengthens the bonds within the family.

 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

During busy times, it’s essential to spread the load and share tasks and responsibilities among family members. Don’t let parents shoulder all the burden. View this as a learning opportunity for kids to develop essential life skills. Create and post a chore chart that clearly outlines who is responsible for which tasks and when. This not only lightens the load for one individual but also instills the concept of teamwork and accountability in everyone.

 

Mealtime Magic Without the Mayhem

Mealtime can be a major source of stress during busy periods. But there are many ways to simplify the process. Try incorporating some semi-homemade meals into your weekly menu and designate specific days for grocery shopping. Consider batch cooking and freezing meals in advance to make meal planning and cooking easier. You can even plan a “meal planning and grocery ordering day” where you take care of all the planning and ordering in one go, and then focus on prepping the next day. For those evenings when you’re pressed for time, many families are opting for pre-made meals where everyone can choose what they want for dinner. The key is to have a plan in place, so everyone knows what to expect and mealtimes are fun rather than stressful.

 

Self-Care: The Secret Ingredient for a Balanced Family

Amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s crucial to prioritize time for everyone to recharge and practice self-care. Schedule downtime, starting with Sunday as a day to be at home and unwind in the afternoon. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, watching a movie, taking a nature walk, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home. Balancing productivity with self-care is essential for maintaining overall well-being. And don’t forget the importance of setting a bedtime so that everyone gets a good night’s rest.

 

 

Remember, staying organized during busy times requires a bit of effort and the implementation of effective systems. By establishing clear communication channels, utilizing tools to streamline processes, and prioritizing self-care, families can navigate through hectic periods with greater ease and resilience. If you falter along the way, don’t worry – just fall back on your system or tweak it for improvement. The goal is not just to survive the chaos but to thrive as a cohesive and organized family unit.

7 Ideas for Non-Traditional Planners

7 ideas for non-traditional planners

 

Many times a traditional planner or organizer does not meet your needs. It is too hard to add information, too cumbersome to carry with you, and too hard to pull up information. Thank you to my friends and colleagues on social media who have shared a multitude of non-traditional ways to keep on top of information, routines, and dates.

 

  • After serious reflection (I’m a traditional planner girl), the best non-traditional management system I have are my dogs. Milo and Wilson tell me what time to wake up, when to feed them when to go outside, when to vacuum, and when to go to bed.

 

  • We sit down and go over “what’s coming up” and then put it on a weekly dry-erase board for my son with ADHD. We write any activities, appts, quizzes/tests/project due dates, practices/games, etc on there every Sunday for the upcoming week. We have a bulletin board where we pin any notices, permission slips, etc that might need to be returned somewhere on a given date. He’s going into 8th grade and this has really helped him stay on track and be more independent during the week with his responsibilities. We also use the Cozi app as a family and that not only helps us with reminders but allows all of us to see what other family members have going on that may affect our own schedules or our combined family schedule. My daughter also has ADHD but she prefers a traditional paper planner for her personal use (as do I). She is also a huge Post-it note user! Lol, She even wrote about it in part of her college application essay.

 

  • Alexa. I can say “add whatever to whatever list” from anywhere in the house while thinking about it. If I had to stop and manually add it I would forget what I was doing when the idea popped in my head to add whatever to the list.

 

  • When my three kids were little, I made a big board that had “this week” and “next week” columns. It was wet erase and magnetic. Each child had a different color pen and it gave a two-week snapshot. (The normal agenda kept all dates to be written on board)

 

  • My husband and I use small index cards to remind us of various things plus one in the kitchen for grocery needs.

 

  • My husband and I use “Any List” app on our phone for our grocery shopping list. I can add something and it shows up on both of our phones, etc. We started this because sometimes we would each stop at the grocery to pick something up and end up with duplicates. I haven’t tried it yet, but evidently, you can “send your list” to Kroger, H‑E‑B, Walmart, etc. for online shopping. We even have a “Galveston” list for groceries, etc. we need there. It is a fabulous app!

 

  • My world is 90% digital when it comes to planning, lists, and notes……except when it comes to groceries and meals. It’s all here, on the refrigerator. This is where my kids can see it too. They know what dinner will be (and who is cooking it! They’re 15 and 18 and make dinner sometimes!). They can add their grocery and personal care needs to our lists anytime (one for everyday groceries, one for the big box store where we stock up). They know what to do, they know the system. They even know what we get at the regular grocery store and what we prefer to buy at Costco. They help me compare prices at our 2 stores to find the best (ever-changing) prices on our favorite items, I’ve taught them this practice since they were very young. We keep most of our recipes digital and I text specific recipes to whatever kid is making that specific meal so they have that information at their fingertips. We work as a team to meal plan weekly.

 

While these are not your traditional planner or organizer, you can definitely see how effective these are! There are so many ways to track your tasks and keep up with dates.

Holiday Planning Notebook

holiday planning notebook.

 

Have you had scraps and notes everywhere for your holiday planning? Have you wanted to keep your holiday plans organized from year to year? Is being more organized this year one of your goals for the holiday season? Make your holidays more organized with a holiday notebook. It is a simple, easy-to-create notebook for you to use throughout the holiday season.

 

My gift to you this season is this free workbook for you to customize for your holiday planning. There are pages for your calendar, baking, meal planning, gift purchasing, and addressing cards. You can print this (click here holiday planning notebook printable letter size 2023) and place it in a 3-ring binder or save it digitally, turn the PDF into a Word document, and use it in Google Drive or word docs. 

 

 

 

Another option is for you to create your own with a 3 ring binder, paper, and slash pockets. 

·                     Collate your holiday notebook by deciding what categories are most important to you.  

·                     Choose a notebook with holiday theme colors

·                     Add tabbed slash pockets or dividers with labels for

holiday calendar with dates for activities

holiday recipes

holiday card lists with completed addresses

gift lists (including online purchases)

decorating ideas (with pictures of each room fully decorated.)

annual family traditions (websites for holiday entertainment)

·                     Include a pocket folder to hold the receipts

·                     Add a password list for access to all your favorite online stores.

·                     Keep in an easy-to-access spot for your use throughout the season!

 

Enjoy the holiday season even more with your organized holiday notebook. A holiday notebook is a way to consolidate all your ideas, lists and more for the holidays! 

 

 

Back to School: ADHD Friendly Family Routines

 

Back to school is back to routines. Every fall we are getting back to routines have a less structured summer. Family routines create cohesiveness and support responsibility. These routines are the foundation of life at home. As well, it is a way to make life simpler and easier. Check out these tips on communication, laundry, meal prep and more.

 

 

 

 

Family Calendar

Post a paper family calendar where everyone can see the upcoming activities and tasks for your family. This month-at-a-glance calendar can be posted on the refrigerator or in a pathway everyone passes daily. During your family meeting and all week long, populate the calendar with activities that are coming up. Color-code your calendar to know who is doing what and when.

 

Meal prep

The meal prep goal is the nutritious meals eaten during a time together. Keep it simple with a dinner rotation every 2-3 weeks of the same easily prepared meals. Or use theme days for meal planning, like Meatless Monday and Taco Tuesday. Whatever your plan, rotate who is the chef and who is clean up.

 

Theme days

Assign a day of the week for specific tasks, especially grocery runs and laundry days.

 

Communication

Encourage responsibility and independence with a coaching conversation. Encourage some details, some deadlines, and some accountability.

 

 

 

Getting buy-in from your family is important.

  • Keep it simple! Less is more to keep routines going. When tasks are complex, look for ways to simplify to get these done.
  • Remember that as a family you are all in this together. Partner up to work as a team. Variety makes the tasks more interesting.
  • Write stuff down. With checklists, calendars, and notes, your family sees what to do and when to do it.
  • Self-care ensures you and your family have the energy needed to get stuff done. Self-care includes appropriate rest and bedtimes for everyone in the family. If you are feeling drained, your family will too!
  • Always have a deadline for family tasks. These deadlines keep you and your family accountable and happy.

What more ADHD-friendly family organizing ideas? Check out my youtube!

Back to School: Quick Tips to Thrive during Busy Family Times

Back to school is when we all gear up and get organized. It’s back to structure and routines. Busy people are the most organized. Here are many organizing, productivity, and self-care tips from those who are in the trenches too.

Organization tips for busy people

 

  • Having a joint email with my husband that we use for ANYTHING related to the kids, the pets, the car, the home, vacations, digital tickets etc. Even if I’m the one who reads and answers 90% of them we both have access to entire conversations, booking numbers, dates and details.
  • It is ridiculously simple but I use the notes app on my phone. I’m able to scan documents and email them. Keep a running tab of my to-do list and groceries. I also have a notes page for gift ideas.
  • Color-coded calendar (each person has a color) including how they’re getting to/from the practice or game, etc… and review that at least weekly but ideally every 3 days to ensure we’re all on the same page
  • Personal: morning workouts before fam wakes up. Familial: shared family Google calendar. Marital: weekly marriage meeting.
  • Written and Google calendar for myself, dry-erase monthly for my daughter, and verbal communication with my husband
  • I meal plan every dinner and prep accordingly. I add all things to the phone calendar and “invite” whomever in my family needs to know. The kids have a daily chore schedule and also lay out their clothes for the week on Sunday so I can steam them in time. During the summer, I started “marvelous Monday’s” where we do all the chores on a Monday so we can forget about it. I also stopped folding laundry. I made them each a basket in the laundry room where clothes are sorted coming straight out of the dryer. They are responsible for putting away their own clothes. I love it!!!
  • Cozi Gold family organizer app. With 2 active teens, it really helps keep everyone informed and organized.
  • I have a cleaning service so I don’t resent every mess as a personal slight. Kids have a very large calendar on the wall for all things as my ADD DH doesn’t look at online calendars, emails, or text messages. He didn’t look at the wall calendar either but it modeled good organization for the kids at least, lol. Also, tell DH plans over dinner and remind him in the morning.
  • Use a digital family calendar, order the week’s groceries for pickup on Mondays, and once a month have someone come in to clean!

 

Summary

I am grateful to those who shared their wisdom.

  • Having a calendar that works for your family is important. Choose what you love, model this for your family, and collaborate with those who need extra support on this.
  • Build your best team with outside help and buy-in from your family. Set up systems in your home where kids can partner and everyone benefits. Make it fun!
  • Set up routines that reinforce and support your goals. Weekly meal planning and grocery delivery, as well as regular cleaning people, help everyone at home.

 

What works for you at your home or office?

5 Tips for An Organized Road Trip

5 tips for an organized car trip

 

This summer families are taking to the road in record numbers. Great road trips start with preparation, planning and organization. Here are tips for your best family road trip together.

 

Have more than a road map

Years ago all that was needed for a road trip was a map. While there are a lot of amenities on the road, don’t leave things to chance. Scope out your trip day by day with the help of AAA or RoadTrippers app. Update your hotel apps for your favorite resting places so you are ready to pivot in case you are not as far along as you planned. Make hotel reservations before you leave home for each stop along the way.

 

Check the weather

Weather changes have increasingly impacted our travel. Check what the weather will be during your travel time. In case of emergency, know what to do in case of hail or severe weather while driving. If you are driving long distance, this can be especially important.

 

Make your car travel friendly

Travel friendly care trips include easy to access drinks, food, toys, chargers, lots of blankets and multiple pillows. Have your kids use their airpods so everyone can listen to their own music. Download games, music and other fun before you leave. Choose a family audiobook for everyone to listen. Bring along new favorites like a rubik’s cube or MadLibs to play together. Rotate seats to keep everyone cheery and entertained.

 

Packing for intermittent stops

Pack a carry on bag for those stops along the route before your destination. A large tote can carry all your toiletries, medicines and an extra set of clothes. This way you are not unpacking all your luggage for this stop.

Find common ground on travel strategies.

Talk with your family about how to travel. Some families leave extra early to get on the road and have kids sleep along the route. Some families take frequent bathroom breaks  and some stop for fun along the way. Talk with your family about what will work best for you all.  Always agree to stop before it’s too late and everyone is too cranky.

 

Family road trips are memories that will long be remembered!

 

Six Travel Tips to Keep You Super Organized

six travel tips to keep you super organized

 

This Summer everyone is traveling! Travel is our passion and we love getting away to the beach, taking an educational trip to a new city, and spending time as a family on vacation. Here are some of my favorite organizing strategies that will help you be super organized while on vacation.

 

Add apps for travel

Flights changes and weather interruptions are part of travel that can’t be helped. Start by updating and uploading all travel apps related to your trip. The best apps include AccuWeather, Flight Aware, and your Airline app. Add your hotel and restaurant apps for paperless access to your reservations. Consolidate all your travel apps in a folder on your smartphone or use the App in the Air Widget.

 

Use a packing list

Life is busy and travel is complicated. Give yourself extra days to pack and be more organized. A packing list saves you every time. You can customize your list on the Notes app with a check box to include your specific needs. Pull out your travel bag 3 days in advance and start dropping in what you need to fill your bag according to your list. Be sure you pack a little extra layer for warmth and extra shoes for comfort.

 

Stay as connected as you like

Choose to disconnect completely for a real break. If you choose to stay connected, be prepared to keep everything charged by packing a complete set of chargers for your smartwatch and your smart devices. Duplicate your chargers and keep these packed in a tech organizer. My favorite travel tech organizer keeps each cord secure.

 

Categorize to stay organized during travel

  • Frequent travel requires a complete personalized toiletries bag. A clear bag with toiletries helps you know you have what you need. Include a complete set of what you use stored in this bag. No overthinking what to pack and no need to remember your daily items with a designated toiletry bag.
  • Use packing cubes for categorizing what you pack. Different sizes of cubes organize and consolidate clothing. You can group items by day of the week or type of clothing. Packing cubes keep your suitcase organized while at your location.

 

Choose safe spots for important travel documents

Create peace of mind by keeping important documents safe while traveling. Use travel wallets and waist belts for your money, credit cards, global entry card, and passport. Be sure to use the safe in your hotel for jewelry and devices. You will want to make multiple copies of these important documents, as well as important documents in your wallet, to keep at home while you are gone, in your handheld travel bag, and held by a trusted person at home.

 

Pack your patience and be prepared

Pack your patience and plan for random moments of fun during your travel. Download to your Kindle, create a music playlist, and choose games to make travel time less frustrating. Our family loves Heads Up and we always pack a deck of cards.

 

Enjoy your time away this summer. It’s all about the memories you are making and the experiences you are sharing.

Ways to Thrive During the Especially Busy Month of May

Ways to thrive

 

The beginning of this year ushered in especially busy times. We are heading into the month of May with celebrations, graduations, and special occasions. Like Thanksgiving and the holidays, we have more to do. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all there is happening. There are many ways to thrive and be specially organized during extremely busy times.

 

Your planner is your road map.

Your planner is your most important trusted tool for being proactive in busy times. Keep your planner up to date as details come in about family celebrations and special events. Look ahead to the upcoming week and be proactive about planning for the weeks ahead. Each day prioritize a list of your three most important tasks to keep on track. Use a checklist to help with tasks and deadlines. Make notes, make lists, and set time blocks to get stuff done. Set a weekly planning time to be sure you are progressing in all areas.

 

Do your best to maintain self-care routines.

Taking care of yourself helps you do your best. Do the best you can to keep consistent wake-up and going-to-bed times. Drink lots of water to hydrate, get outside for sunshine, and walk as much as you can. Stay true to your exercise routine. Self-care will be your steady guide during busy, fun, crazy times.

 

Celebrate and be in the moment.

Moments we cherish happen when we steer clear of distractions. Stepping away from work, and being in the moment, gives us rare opportunities to connect. Celebrate every small win with gratitude. Share the joy with a handwritten card or special conversation. These moments build lifelong memories.

 

Build a bigger team

Being the party planner doesn’t mean you have to miss the fun. Ask for and accept help in all ways and forms. Teens can build a playlist and set up music, attendees can put up and stack chairs, and catering comes in all forms. Have groceries, treats, and party supplies delivered. Look around for ways to make everything easy for you and find support to get stuff done.

 

Being organized brings you joy during these bustling times. Never miss a minute of fun with these ways to thrive when especially busy.

Happy Relationships and ADHD Connections

happy relationships and adhd

 

According to a recent Harvard Study shared in the Wall Street Journal, our connection with others is the most beneficial impact on the longevity of our lives.

“Through all the years of studying these lives, one crucial factor stands out for the consistency and power of its ties to physical health, mental health and longevity. Contrary to what many people might think, it’s not career achievement, or exercise, or a healthy diet. Don’t get us wrong; these things matter. But one thing continuously demonstrates its broad and enduring importance: good relationships.”

 

Relationships are complex. With ADHD in the mix, even more so. Symptoms can impact partners, friends, family, and colleagues. Emotional regulation can cause people to feel disconnected and hurt. Adding structure to our lives can connect us with those we love and care about.

 

Foundations to connection

Your values show up in your relationships.  Authenticity, respect, and honesty are important when in a relationship. Respect is when we accept someone for who they are, even if they are different in how they think or look. This feels like trust, safety, and well-being and is communicated by the appropriate tone of language, physical touch, and attentive listening. At times symptoms of ADHD can be viewed as disrespectful. Executive function challenges like impulsivity and emotional regulation can interfere. Knowing about these challenges helps both partners navigate when this happens.

Respect is fostered by boundaries. Boundaries are the limits we put in place, whether mental, emotional, physical, or more. These are the expectations stated to start and stay in respectful relationships. To be in a relationship with anyone, with ADHD or not, means to have stated what is okay and what is not. Healthy boundaries are a part of every positive relationship.

 

Strategies that foster communication and connection

In the busy times we live in, having a structure for communicating and connecting makes relationships intentional.

 

Build structure in your daily life that reinforces communication. Time allocated as together time prioritizes your family and partner. Family dinner together is a powerful connection. Each evening you gather to discuss, process, and applaud each other. This time together empowers all of the family as individuals and creates unity as a team. You and your partner might also choose a daily check-in time with calendars after dinner to be sure home and work run smoothly. Make dinner time not so much about the specific foods you are eating as the time together.

 

A weekly structure can include a weekly family meeting and weekly date night for partners. A weekly family meeting opens up communication and coordinates schedules for everyone. Your family calendar is where to find dates and details of family life. End your family meeting with fun. Your weekly date night gives you and your partner time away from the daily conversations and offers you opportunities for new activities and adventure.

 

Strategies that support self-care

Practice self-care that empowers good communication. Knowing what you need for your own self-care, whether that is time away from family you love in order to reset, helps you do your best with relationships. Strong self-care starts with a good night’s rest, setting time to step away and pause, and knowing your productivity patterns.

 

At times the best self-care comes with delegating. We can’t do it all and we shouldn’t. Having a cleaning person, laundry person, lawn person, or virtual assistant are all supportive self-care for all the extra tasks that need to be done at home and work.  Finding specific solutions for specific situations sets up a solution-minded framework. When you feel supported, you can do your best with what matters most.

 

Gathering support

There are many ways to gather support for you and your partner. Therapy, coaching, and support groups are available both in person and virtually to support you in your relationships. These professionals are available to help you learn more about ADHD and ADHD symptoms as well as anxiety and co-existing conditions. They will help you recognize skills and focus on working from your strengths.

 

 

How to Start the Week Strong with Sunday Night Routines

Sunday night routines

 

The transition from a relaxing weekend to a busy week can be stressful. Labeled “Sunday scaries,” many families experience a sense of dread on Sunday evening. There are ways that organization can help! You can start the week off strong with a positive Sunday evening routine.

 

Begin with a Sunday start to the week mindset

As much as Sunday evening is the end of the weekend, it is also a fresh start to the week. Note your perspective that your week starts here rather than Monday morning. Embracing routines that reinforce this mindset helps you prepare for your week. A Sunday evening family dinner or family meeting set the stage for this transition as you meet together as a family and talk about the week ahead.

 

Create a Sunday evening routine

A Sunday evening routine helps you focus and prepare for the week ahead. Start in the late afternoon with your routine. Plan ahead for an early bedtime and prepare ahead of time for this for you and your family. Prepare your materials for work or school and prepare lunch for the next day. Review your calendar for Monday. Wind down by reading or journaling. Your Sunday night routine includes calming self-care. That self-care carries over to emotional regulation.

 

Host a Sunday night reset

Throughout the week and over the weekend, life is busy and stuff gets disorganized. Wrangle it all back to where it goes with a Sunday night reset. That is when you pick up, put away, and place everything back. The Sunday night reset helps you start the week freshly organized.

 

Plan self-care for the week ahead

Planning self-care for the week ahead makes your week easier.  Of course, there will be much to do, however knowing when you will be going to an exercise class, taking a walk, or doing yoga or pilates, help you balance the stress of the week with relaxation. Look ahead to your schedule for the week and write in your self-care.

 

Write stuff down on a master list

Take a few minutes to capture all the thoughts, actions, projects, and any other tasks on a list. Clearing your head will lessen anxiety. Use this list during your weekly planning time and time block your tasks. Weekly planning time gives you a specific time to get organized, prioritize, and manage all your projects well.

 

Say no to distractions on Sunday evening

It is tempting to numb on Sunday evening with a late night of streaming services or looking at social media. Know the value of making a plan and sticking to that. Your work-life integration will be what benefits you most.

 

End your weekend with calm and start the week strong with a Sunday night routine.