what is working?

My friend Angel www.thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com has posted about some things she is doing that are making life work for her to run her household of now 3 children. She has some great ideas and has issued a challenge to have her readers post their ideas. I am posting because I thought it might be nice to hear from one of the NOT so organized moms :) sadly I am in that category.

This is how a not naturally organized mom makes it somewhat work:

#1 - Matt is a very hands on father. He takes the big kids to the train when he goes in the morning, he picks up Isabella from gymnastics 3 nights a week after work, he loves to cook and clean too!

#2 - After bringing Tia home in March we decided that if we were ever going to have someone clean our house that NOW is the time. 2X/month they do our bathrooms and floors - I dust and do major tidying up the day before - this has made keeping the house clean so much easier!

#3 - When I had only one child my house was perfect! After the second one it was really clean and organized, with #3 it was pretty clean, and now I am learning to let go of perfection :) I feel really blessed to have 4 beautiful children - with them comes a challenge to keep a clean house. It will be empty and perfect again someday!

#4 - We do expect the kids to clean up after themselves and help us make it all work :) They make their beds in the morning and put put their clean clothes away. They each have a chore at dinnertime. They all help with the littler ones!

#5 - When I put Tia down for a nap I have to stay with her until she is asleep - this is when I read - usually my bible and do my Bible Study for the week, or I read a book. Using this time to read has made me really appreciate these 30 or so minutes I spend stroking her hair and being with her in the middle of the day. At night when it is too dark to read I listen to my radio station and try to spend my time praying.

#6 - I always try to Double Up. I focus on trying to get two things out of every task or errand.

- I try to take Elijah to preschool early enough that Tia can play and have some time around other kids.
- If Jonah(age 12) wants to play outside after school I ask him to take the little kids with him on the trampoline or in the front garden - he is learning to be responsible while I can get something done inside.
- I take the dog for a walk after the kids are in bed at night and get some exercise (and listen to music).
- When cleaning the kitchen after dinner I make lunches for the next day and use the leftovers.
- When I cook I let Elijah (5) help or do his messy crafts while I am in the kitchen with him. There are lots more and I'm sure every mom does all of these but trying to do Double Ups really helps me a LOT!

#7 - I do one persons laundry per day bringing it down in the morning - with the boys I throw all the colors in together (I cringe reading that too!) so far it hasn't hurt anything. For the girls I separate the pinks & reds and do them together. Matt's & mine I do together.

I have to say that reading Angel's and the other posts was a little intimidating but so inspiring! I have been busy organizing toys and my office since seeing some of those great ideas!