Today is a special edition of Works For Me Wednesday. This is backwards week where we give you the problem and you help with the solution. Check out where it originates over at We Are THAT Family.
I have a 3 month old baby, first child for us. It's been a fabulous experience! I love being a mom, love every minute of it! I have noticed, though, that I am not nearly as organized and on top of things as I was before I had my son. So how do I do it? How do I maintain my organization; my ability to know where things are and where they are supposed to go? I was graciously given a DVD of pictures that were taken of my son when he was 1 month, but I CAN'T find it ANYwhere! I'm sure that, at the time, I put it somewhere I thought was very smart and I would surely remember, but for the life of me, I am lost! There's also the possibility that my husband did something crazy with it since he was the last to have it and he loses things easily...
But, how do I take the disorganized journey of having an infant in our house now and make it organized? How do I keep from spending hours cleaning everything when we want to have someone over, only to do all over again within the week with new guests? How do I keep from allowing this beautiful, helpless child to take over our house (and my mind) and making my used-to-be-organized life a now disorganized mess? HELP!
Always, ALWAYS, start with your priorities. What is most important to you and your family? That's what comes first.
ReplyDeleteWith children, you will be doing things over and over---frustrating, I know. You are also in a transition period-caring for a baby takes alot of energy and attention.
Start with the area that affects you the most in your daily life--is it the kitchen counter, the living room, the baby's room?
Then, break it down. Stop by my blog, Organizing Tips and Thoughts for Moms. I break organizing down by using my STUFF System.
Well, I was never completely organized before kids, so I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer this question, LOL! :) First of all, know that it does get better. In a few months when you're getting more sleep you will regain your ability to remember things, I promise!
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were infants, I frequently employed what my husband called "tuck and hide" housecleaning for guests-- meaning that I used two large laundry baskets to quickly collect clutter and hide them in the master bedroom. Then, I'd load the dishwasher, wipe down the kitchen, make sure the guest bath was decent, and be done, all within less than an hour. It wasn't perfect, but it kept me sane. (See, I told you I shouldn't be answering, LOL!)
If you're not familiar with Flylady, check out her site. I don't follow her exact routines, nor do I currently use her notebook, but I have in the past. I also set my emails from her to daily digest to keep from getting overwhelmed with her "helpful" emails. If you can tune out a little of her hyperness and just get to a simple routine that works for you, it's worth it.
Hang in there! :) I'm sure you'll get plenty of helpful tips today. I'm asking for birthday party advice in my WFMW post today... if you have any experience with other kids, I'd love to hear any ideas/tips you might have learned!
Welcome to Mommyhood! My daughter is now 16 months and I still am not as organized as I was before I had my daughter. I'm getting progressively better, but I've learned that my house and my life are never going to be the same again.
ReplyDeleteFor the first few months after my daughter was born I thought I was going to go crazy because I was sleep deprived, my house was a mess and everything was just crazy. I just kept working at it and trying to improve things and one day it finally started to feel like I was getting ahead. There are still days when it can feel overwhelming, but I think that is just part of being a mom.
i think there is something to be said for "mom brain!"
ReplyDeletei don't really have any tips, except it gets a little better once you emerge from the newborn baby haze. don't feel guilty for napping when baby naps. i'm pregant now and have been doing that a lot, and though i feel bad that household tasks are piling up, i know i need to take care of myself, too.
they're only little once--give yourself a break and enjoy:)
Your baby is not quite 4 months old yet? You are supposed to be disorganized! Give yourself a break!! LOL! I don't think I found my footing for several months....that said, you WILL find it someday! You are supposed to focus on baby right now and that is good. However....in the event you get there anytime relatively soon, here are my fav tips: BOXES with open tops. I put three open boxes (like shoe type plastic bins) on the changing table and in them, stacked diapers, wipes and the little what nots (creams, thermometer, etc...). I had everything I needed right there on the table. Our table had the open shelf under the top part. Next, multiples! I kept diapers, creams, meds, etc... in several spots....baby's room, each car had a bag w/ these items, our bathroom/bedroom area. It helped because I could change them, medicate them, etc....wherever I was. It is a bit of an initial expense but worth the convenience. And as for having company over....maybe lessen your expectations. For us, we quit being the sole entertainer and simple did potlucks or less get togethers for quite awhile. It was necessary. Good luck---
ReplyDeleteWhile things DO get better, you will find that your definitions not only change, but your methods do too. I went from being a working wife to a stay at home Mom in a matter of a couple of weeks, and it was a BIG transition. I think that was even harder for me than becoming a Mom!
ReplyDeleteMy son in 19 months old, and I have changed my "organizational" methods several times since he was born. It is just a matter of figuring out what fits into this new life of yours, not making your life fit your organizational methods.
It can feel like a pretty deep pit to climb out of, so start slowly. Take one area and work on that to your satisfaction. Then move to the next place. And for goodness sake...if people have trouble with you not being organized with a 3 month old, invite them to come take care of the baby while you get your organize on!
Oh, one thing I did...I had a different diaper bag for every outing. Weird, I know.
ReplyDeleteChurch bag - just the necessities needed for a few hours at church.
"Out" bag - a little of everything, including toys, that I took when we went anywhere else
KDO/MDO bag - just the things he needs for Kids' Day Out - paci, lovey (we have multiple!), diapers, change of clothes, sippy cup, and a bag for his lunch.
Car bag - a BIG bag I keep in the car, stocked with extra diapers & wipes, a change of clothes, thermometer, tylenol, etc. Also extra paci, burp cloths, etc. I never have to worry about not having a back-up. The contents of the car bag have changed with each phase of growth, but it has come in handy more than once!
And re-stock as soon as you get home so when you get ready to go somewhere, you're already ready!
awesome help! i know, i know, i do not need to have it ALL together yet, but i don't want it to get totally out of control either...thanks for all the feedback so far, this is especially helpful!
ReplyDeleteKeep a list on the fridge of what's in there so you actually eat your veggies and hidden stuff rather than throw it out. This has been a huge help to me.
ReplyDeleteI used to allow myself one shallow basket of unfiled stuff (easy to shove under the sofa quickly!).... when it got to the top I had to sit down and file or throw the stuff out. :-) Got to get back to that!
I use email for everything, including reminders to myself!