Six easy ways to clear clutter and get your household running smoothly

Would you believe that the key to a healthy life is an organized one? They say the state of your home reflects the state of your mind. Is your home working for you?

As busy parents, consider how much time is spent looking for things that go missing, or putting away stray items because things just simply do not have a designated place. Then consider taking the time you invest each week do mundane organizational chores and putting that time into something you enjoy … or nothing at all?

Here are six easy ways to get your household in tip-top shape and running smoothly, like a well-oiled machine:

Designate a homework spot. Keep pens, pencils, glue, construction paper, looseleaf, rules, and anything you might need for your child’s particular homework located in handy spot directly near the table or desk you would like the to do their work. Keep all supplies there all the time, and let your child know that homework time happens there.

Create a to-go center. Keep keys, ID cards, Purell, bus passes, etc. right on a shelf or another area right by the front door. Nearby, create another area to keep jackets, sweaters, umbrellas, and hats and gloves in an easily accessible bin. This ensures that anything you need will be located right by the door, eliminating last-minute full-house searches when you’re trying to get out on time.

Make a place for everything. You know the extra plastic bags, loose pins, tie offs, scrunchies, and stray receipts you find literally everywhere around your house? Wait for a rainy weekend and create a spot for each one! The local dollar store sells multiple small stackable drawers that can easily fit inside a kitchen cupboard, and are ideal to hold small items in individual compartments.

Teach your kids to help from a very early age. Kids can either learn to become tidy or not. Once they do, hold them to it. That alone will give you several minutes everyday with less for you to do. It will also enable each family member to pitch in and take care of the home. It will also help create a new generation of efficient adults.

Designate specific days for tasks. Laundry day on Friday, food prep on Sundays, vacuuming on Thursdays, etc. Setting aside specific days to attack particular tasks forces you to get that chore done that day, and on a regular basis. It also helps keep you from feeling overwhelmed with many chores all at once because now each task will have a different day to get done.

Enlist help! From an early age, require your kids to become responsible for the order of your home. Using age-appropriate tasks and consequences, this daily type of maintenance becomes a way of life for them — and you. And do not forget to include your spouse in this equation! After all, why should you be the sole one responsible for the cleanliness and order in your home? That will only lead to resentment, and that is not fun for anyone involved.

Danielle Sullivan is a writer living in New York City. Follow her on Instagram @Deewrite.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Advantage Day Camps

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #000000;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">The activity never stops at Advantage Day Camps (ADC)! Campers ages 4 to 14 will enjoy a wide variety of sports, art, enrichment and experiences. And parents can relax, thanks to our complimentary early dropoff and late pickup.</span></p>

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

<p dir="ltr">With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children & Teens can provide.</p> <p dir="ltr">This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer’s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16583089-7fff-d8a9-61c2-8f689f7348b2"></span></p>

Debate Camp

<p><strong>Public Speaking, Debate and Global Awareness - - coveted skills in a camp-like environment!</strong></p> <p>At Debate Camp, we provide a fun and inspiring space for youth to develop some timelessly-important skills; to hear opposing views and to confidently articulate their ideas well in the company of others.</p> <p>Debate Camp specializes in parliamentary debate, impromptu and prepared public speaking.  We ensure that all program areas are highly interactive and suited to a variety of age groups (grades 5 to 10) and multiple ability levels.</p> <p>• day camp and sleepaway camp options</p> <p>• multi-level instruction</p> <p>• suits all ability levels</p> <p>• teaching ratio 1:8</p> <p>• parliamentary debate rounds on new topics daily</p> <p>• feedback and fun!</p> <p>• all resources provided</p> <p>Debate Camp believes in a well-balanced program where an academic focus is mixed with opportunities for traditional camp games and a fun and inspiring approach to learning. 2024 day camp options for NYC families include 3 x 1 week options in Manhattan / UES location (including our NEW 3 day Model UN camp) and NEW 1 week Overnight Debate Camp options in Maine & Rhode Island (with r/t transportation options from NY Penn Station)  All details on: https://www.debatecamp.com/newyork</p> <p> </p>