Simple Systems for a Smoother Family Routine

By, Jolene Nannette

Keeping a family organized amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life can feel overwhelming. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can create a calm environment that fosters lifelong habits of organization. There are many ways to help you manage family activities and household maintenance effectively. And it doesn’t have to be boring or mundane!

Establish a Family Calendar

Use a digital calendar app shared among family members (like Google Calendar) to keep everyone informed about activities, appointments, and events. Take time together to set reminders for important dates, including birthdays, anniversaries, and school events. Sometimes the digital version doesn’t work as effectively and it is useful to see a large wall calendar or a whiteboard in a common area to highlight weekly activities.

Designate a Family Command Center

Set up a dedicated space for important documents, schedules, and supplies. This can be a small area in the kitchen or a hallway. We have a bowl for keys, a tall box for mail that needs to be sorted/dealt with, and a hanging wall basket for frequently needed items such as school calendars, information about current sports/activities, and coupons.

Implement a Weekly Family Meeting

This doesn’t have to be, and shouldn’t, feel as formal as it sounds. Get together before or during dinner to discuss the upcoming week’s activities, address concerns, and celebrate achievements. Encourage each member to share their plans or any challenges they anticipate, encouraging a collaborative spirit. Take a look at the calendar for the upcoming week and coordinate any complications ahead of time.

Share Household Chores

Designate one day a week to group chores, such as a weekend morning. Make a list and let family members choose which chores they would like to complete. This not only teaches responsibility but also helps everyone contribute to the household. Put on a good soundtrack during these weekend chore times and make sure you keep a positive, can-do attitude to keep everyone engaged.

Plan and Prep for Meals

Dedicate time each week to plan meals. Involve the family in selecting recipes, ensuring everyone has a chance to voice their opinion and has something to look forward to. Take time to prepare food in advance to save time during busy weekdays, especially prepping healthy snacks and one pan oven meals. Consider batch cooking or using a slow cooker for easier weekday dinners. Encourage the kids to participate in the cooking process - so many family memories can be made in the normal day to day activities.

Foster a Decluttering Habit

Make decluttering a part of the normal processes of the household, especially during chore days. Start small and go through one area at a time, working together, and talking through the job. Discuss what it means to figure out what you want to keep, what you believe you will use in the future, and what you are willing to get rid of. A good question that makes this task easier is “have you used this in the past six months?” If the answer is no, then decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Come up with storage and organizational solutions that make sense to your family’s daily routines and activities. Make sure commonly used items are easily accessible and less frequently used items are put away and labeled so they don’t clutter your space.

Encourage Daily Tidying Habits

Establish morning and evening routines that include tidying up. Consistency is key in forming lasting habits. Assign specific daily tasks to all family members including making their own beds, putting away their own dishes, and tidying up their items each day. Set the example of keeping a tidy home by clearing and wiping down the counters each day, keeping the kitchen clean, putting your items away, and straightening up the common living areas.

By incorporating these strategies into your family life, you can create an organized environment that promotes responsibility and teamwork. The key is to be observant to adapt these tools to fit your family's unique needs. With a little effort, you can establish lifelong habits that make managing activities and household maintenance a breeze.

By, Jolene Nannette

Home by Jolene

Specialist in home efficiency