Organization for Moms

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Organization for moms can be a challenge!

At any given point, moms know where the shoes were last, how much toilet paper is left, the price of the chicken on sale, and who was the one who colored on the couch. We track everyone’s sizes, how much we have in the budget for birthday presents, and when we last called Aunt Bertha.

We keep the dishes clean, the laundry washed (folding optional right?), and the toilet from growing too much pink stuff. And we’re always learning- what gets out play doh stains? Do I really need to buy organic apples? How do I babyproof a lamp?

Our mental load is HUGE, and no wonder- we’re running a 24/7 small business that we call our home. For moms, organization isn’t a convenience- it’s a survival skill!

Now let me say: I am not the world’s most organized person (anyone who walks into my house can attest to that). However, organizing makes my heart happy- I’m one of those crazy people who has their closet sorted by color for the fun of it.

Being organized as a mom is a lot like running a business: running a home works best when done efficiently- not to take away the fun, but so that everyone is freed up to prioritize our family’s unique values and needs.

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Organization for Moms: What does it mean to be organized as a mom?

Organization basics as a mom looks differently than it does in other stages or areas of life. Especially when your kids are young, mom organization is usually about all things quick, easy, cost-efficient, and flexible. Your time and resources are spread thin, and in this stage of life, organization serves to help you do more with less.

As a mom, being organized should free you. It may take a little investment up front, but generally it should help give you some extra time (and maybe even a little sanity) for this crazy season!

Organization for Moms: Ideas for starting your organized mom journey…

There is no one right place to start organizing (though I’d highly suggest my post on Simplifying Your Life as a Mom :)), but here are some ideas:

• Meal Planning (what meals are you having? When will you make them? What snacks do you need?)
  
  
• Grocery shopping (do you have a list? What stores have the items you need? Do you want to coupon? Can any of it be bought cheaper online?)
  
  
• Laundry- do you have a laundry schedule?
  
  
• Kitchen organization (what do you need on your counters? What can you get rid of completely? How do you remember what is in your pantry/freezer?)
  
  
• Bathroom organization (what needs to be in each person’s space? Where do the cleaning supplies need to be stored?)
  
  
• Kids’ Stuff organization (what do you need in your diaper bag? where do you store the clothes that don’t fit? Do you rotate out toys or get rid of them? How can they be included in keeping things clean?)
  
  
  

• Kids’ School/Learning (what do you want to teach your kids? And what are some ideas that will work for their ages?)
  
  
• Kids’ Activities (what can you do on a rainy/sunny/hot/cold day? What craft stuff do you have available?)
  
  
• The Family’s Schedule (do you have a command center?)
  
  
• Car Organization (what things need to live in the car? How do you track car care?)
  
  
• Medical Stuff (when do the kids need their next appointment? When did you last go to the dentist?)
  
  
• Financials/Budgeting (is your spending in line with your values? Do you have a budget? Do you need to save more money? How do you track what is left in each category?)
  Pro-Tip: I highly highly highly recommend using YNAB (You Need a Budget) as a simple, zero-based budgeting tool!
  
  
• Family Chores (who does what and when? How often do you need to do each thing?)
  
  
• Personal Goals (do you want to try and get back to the gym? Learn to knit? Spend more time with your spouse? Memorize Scriptures? Encourage other moms?)
  
• Your Inbox (how do you organize and keep track of your emails?)
  
  

Mom-to-Mom Tips on Organization Basics

• Step back and look at the big picture. What are you doing really well? What areas do you see that need improvement?
  
• What are your priorities? How do you prioritize your tasks as a Mom? Does how you run your home line up with what you value?
  
• Work on one thing at a time. No one says you’ve got to do it all at once. The goal is less stress, not more!
  
• Give yourself grace. And then some more grace. And a little extra for good measure. The moment you start your new and improved organized something or other is exactly when Murphy’s Law of Mommying says someone will start barfing or painting the dog.

• Do it YOUR way. The basics of organization for moms is not a one-size-fits-all. So find the way that works for your family and run with it!
  
• Be flexible. Even in the process of writing this blog I have had to update our morning routines to adjust to shifting nap times. Kids are always growing and changing, and our organization needs to grow and change with them.
  
• Steer clear of comparison. Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing its stupid.” Maybe you’re a fish and maybe you’re a monkey; maybe you make awesome healthy meals but Suzy next door feeds her family on $4 a month. It’s not a contest; you’re doing a great job because you’re doing it the best way for you and your family!
  

Common Roadblocks to Organization for Moms

• But I’m not an organized person. Being organized doesn’t sound like much fun.
  There’s no need to change who you are. Your organizing will look different than someone who enjoys sorting their socks by color- and that’s just fine! The point of organizing is not to confine everything and everyone to a certain rigidity- it’s to free up space and time for doing more of what you love!
  
  
• There’s just so much I want/need to improve- it’s overwhelming.
  Start with what will make the biggest difference for you and/or what will make you the happiest when it’s improved. Human nature says we like to keep doing things that make us happy, so use that to your advantage! If you need a guide on where to start, use our 30 Day Spring Clean Challenge to give you some specific steps!
  
  
• I don’t have enough time to organize. I’m a busy mom!
  I get it. Everyone wants a piece of mom and there never seems to be enough to go around! But that is why organization is so important. Even taking a few simple steps to clean up your mind and your home a little bit can free you up to have that extra few moments to breathe. And if you still feel like you need help managing your time, be sure to check out these time management strategies for moms!

The Bottom Line

Organization is freeing. It helps to orient your day to day life in a way that lines up with your priorities, goals, and values. It gives you more time and space to do what you and your family love most!

Want a jump start on getting organized? Check out the Time Management Strategies for Moms Course!

Ready to get more organized? Here’s some ways to get started…

• Check out my list of organizing tips from my readers
  
• Organize your time with these ways to simplify your life as a mom
  
• Organize the family chores with a FREE Trello board
  
• Organize your meal planning with this step by step guide!
  
• Take my Time Management Strategies for Moms course
  
• The Take Back Your Time Collection
  
• The Living on Less Collection
  
• Put your email in the box below to get my FREE eCourse on 5 Days to a Decluttered Mom Brain!

I hope these key tips on organization for moms help you get started!

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