Tag Archive for: family chores

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!

Your Most Organized Year Ever

your most organized year ever

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Everyone in your family may have a different idea of how to do a job at home.  You think laundry is complete when all the clothes are put away. Your family thinks the laundry is done when everything is out of the dryer.  You think the kitchen cleanup is done when all the crumbs have been swept up. Your family thinks the kitchen is clean when all the dishes are removed to the sink.

 

Having standards for organizing helps everyone.  It keeps communication positive. It eliminates frustration.  Everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goals.

 

Not all chores require setting standards, but it’s easy to know which ones will.

 

Be sure to assign chores too.  When everyone knows their responsibilities and it is tracked on a chart, chores are more likely to be completed reliably.  Switch things up regularly so everyone can have a chance to do chores they hate and chores they hate less.

 

Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with family standards.

 

Check out more ideas for family managing on my pinterest board.

 

Busy Family’s Guide to Getting Organized Teleclass

Fall means getting back to business for families: the business of school, work and life.  Join me for a free teleclass and get your family off to a great start for the school year.

·                    Establish a family mission statement

·                    Begin building a cohesive family team

·                    Generate House Rules and Standard Operating Procedures

·                    Focus on scheduling for yourself and your family

·                    A starting point for balance in your home, work and life

 

Wednesday September 2  from 8  – 9 pm

 

A teleclass is taken in your home, no traffic, no looking for parking!  Come as you are.  Everyone calls in to the same phone number and is on the same line (long distance rates apply but you can call from your cell phone). 

 

Free Conference Call
Conference Dial-in Number: (218) 339-4300
Participant Access Code: 354656#

 

Please email me to send you a handout too! Happy organizing