To make mornings smoother, do as much of your “morning to do list” the night before. Pack lunches, snacks, gym clothes, put away homework, sign permission slips, replenish school supplies, and prepare backpacks ready to go by the door.

Enlist your child’s help in what is age appropriate for them.

Set non-perishable breakfast items like cereals, bowls, spoons, etc. out on the table the night before.

When age appropriate, prepare outfits/school uniforms with your children for the next morning, including shoes and accessories! It is never to early to impart organizational skills to your children.

Have designated bins or hooks laid out with a hanger of complete school outfits for each day of the week.
No more, “Ma! Where is my headband,” or “Ma! Where is my other shoe?” 

​Have children come down for breakfast only once they are dressed. This will motivate them to hurry the morning process. (I mean seriously, who doesn’t want Mama's homemade pancakes?)

Create your family’s favorite music playlist. Use the playlist as “timers.” For example, when we are up to Yaakov Shwekey's, “Your Time,” song it is time for breakfast. A cheerful morning sets the tone for the day!

Your tone sets the mood in the house, by eliminating factors that frazzle you; your children will have an easier time following suit with less resistance. 
 
Until next time, 
Adina Forouzan

P.S. What's your favorite tip or idea? Comment below.

When people hear I’m a professional organizer they assume my house is picture perfect. Thank G-d, at the end of the day my house looks lived in (not like a museum, more like kids like to party hardy!)

However, my cleaning is cut down by 40% due to effective organizational systems I set up in my home, so much so that even my 2 year old knows where (almost) everything goes!

​Having a “picture perfect” system is not always maintainable or realistic.

Yes, some spaces look Pinterest worthy, however, my goal is to create ways to maximize your space and set up simple and manageable systems that work with the way you naturally function, not against it.

If getting organized was as simple as putting things in containers—then wouldn’t we all be organized?

Getting organized is making conscious decisions with the things you own. 

​First, you have to identify which items you actually use, love, or serve a purpose. Purge what you don’t use. 
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Then, you can figure out a way to store the items you have left, like using bins if necessary.

You wouldn’t think getting in shape is as easy as buying a pair of work-out clothes, would you?

​For most of us, getting in shape means commitment, exercise, fewer cookies (ok, maybe start after the weekend!) Similarly, with organizing, it’s not just buying bins rather, it is your awareness and behaviors!

The “One Minute Rule,” that literally changed my life!

The premise of the “One Minute Rule,” is if something takes one minute or less to do, don’t procrastinate, do it now. Personally, it took a lot of discipline to be consistent with this rule, however, the payoff is incredible!

Here are some ways to apply the “One Minute Rule:”

Hang your coat up when you walk in, if it takes one minute or less.

Sift through your mail, if it takes one minute or less.

Put back the item you are holding or just picked off the floor, if it takes one minute or less.

Wash the dishes if it takes one minute or less.

Clean your car out if it takes you one minute or less.
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After some time, it becomes “second nature,” so if you haven’t started on this one, I challenge you to give it a try!
 
Until Next Time,
Adina Forouzan