Organized Mom

Keep Your Clutter from Coming Home

While loading up the family to leave my in-laws after the Thanksgiving holiday, I stepped into our SUV to find a half full Gatorade bottle, two hunting booklets, a store flyer and a number of receipts. My husband, our youngest son, and two other members of our family had gone deer hunting the previous day. Seeing the remnants of their expedition, I gathered up everything but the receipts and asked my husband to throw the trash away. He responded that he wanted to read the booklets and the store flyer but that they would be out of the house by that night. By George, I think he's got it! Minimize what you bring into your home, and when you must bring miscellaneous papers, bags, mail, coupons, newspapers into your home, do not let it linger. Get rid of the clutter quickly.

Junk and clutter breeds more junk and clutter. If there is already trash on the floor, do you think it will matter to your child if he adds another wrapper from a granola bar? If there are school papers, bills and junk mail all over your counters, what is the benefit of discarding the one advertisement that was hanging on the front door? The truth is that areas in your home that are cluttered will just continue to attract more clutter.

The key here is to be watchful of what you bring into your home. I have two large trash cans in my garage. This is where I put trash before I enter my home. I do not leave anything in my car that does not need to stay there and when I do take items inside, I quickly put them where they belong.

Ask yourself if the items you plan to save will actually be useful and if so, in how much time. If you will read a paper soon, immediately place it where it might be read; beside a bed, on your desk, or in the toilet area where you might have some quiet reading time. After it is read, either dispose of it or file it where you will be able to retrieve the information as needed.

Another common clutter magnet is accepting items being disposed of by others. Whether it is clothing, old computer games, books, or unused stationery, take the time to consider not accepting it. I am all about repurposing items and saving money, but you must gain control of what you already have before you bring more into your home.

Senior citizens sometimes contact me asking for help de-cluttering, purging, and organizing their homes. They have begun to realize that all of the things they have brought into their homes will be inherited by their children and grandchildren. Often the valuable family treasures get lost in the mass of clutter.

Make it a goal this year to be conservative and conscientious about the number of things you accept, pick up, and purchase. This will create a home with far less piles of clutter to manage. Less really does mean more when it comes to organized space. Less clutter means more usable space for everyday activities and less time wasted moving piles from one place to another. So as you are bombarded with advertising, samples, and treats during the holiday season, consider saying no or discarding them before you even enter your home.

Lorraine Brock is a professional organizer, family coach, speaker, and president and founder of "Get Organized!" "Get Organized!" is a professional organizing company in the Dallas, Texas area. "Get Organized!" specializes in organizing and de-cluttering homes for moms as well as implementing systems in the home for better family management.

A popular media guest, Lorraine has appeared on Dallas' two top morning television shows: Good Morning Texas and Good Day Fox , and has been featured on various radio outlets. She has been hallmarked in many local, regional, and national print and online magazines, such as the Dallas Morning News, Mercator.net, SheKnows.com, and Daily Candy Kids. Additionally, Lorraine has shared the stage with stars from HGTV and DYI Network at the Great Big Texas Home Show at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. To obtain more information about Lorraine, visit www.GetOrganized.ws.

Posted in: Blog, Organized Mom on 11/29/2011

The Organized Mom: Graduation Memories

This month, I wanted to blog about my family and share some personal growth experiences. 2011 brings a celebration of 23 years of marriage and the graduation of our oldest son from high school. These milestones come with some reflection on my part as a wife and mother and an opportunity for parent performance ratings from our children. During a recent dinnertime conversation with our three teenage boys we were voted "cool" parents 90% of the time. This was an honor to hear, especially from one of our sons, because my husband and I are not pushovers. We require a high level of work and character in our boys; more than the average teenager by far.

I have discovered that even the best parenting does not stop your child from making some less than wise decisions as they move into their independence. One of the most challenging times for both parents and children is the transition from high school to making decisions about the future. Parents may want to continue to make choices for their children, but there comes a point a parent has to allow their young adult to make their own choices, even if it is the wrong one.

With graduation just over, our oldest son has had to make some big decisions. He decided to attend a local community college and explore options for his future career. But until that time, he had to finish high school.

Like most high school seniors he was ready to be done and to move on to the next phase of his life. He made plans of his own to move into an apartment with a high school friend this summer and we are extremely proud of him. He was showing the signs of being independent, but not yet having the self-discipline to make the right choices to reach his goal successfully. Let me clarify that this behavior is not a character issue, but one of being able to prioritize.

Young adults at this time of transition rarely have the wisdom they think they have. Somehow the one-time "smart" parents have suddenly become clueless and advice given out of love is not well received. Even though as parents you see a train wreak coming, you dare not say, "watch out for that train."

At some point during our son's senior year, my husband and I decided not to give up on parenting, but to allow him to make more of his own choices, even if that meant failing or a lost opportunity. It was tough. With instant notifications from his school coming straight to our email, we knew about missed papers, low test scores, tardies, and absences. When we saw a "0" on a paper or a missed class, we chose to say nothing. Standing by watching this happen was difficult for me as I wanted to just ground him for life for not caring about his studies.

The school policies that were in place and the counselors at my son's school were my only hope for sound reasoning. They were of course saying the same thing I was, but it was coming from someone other than mom, and many times that can make all the difference. I let them take over handling my son's academic behavior, while my husband and I continued to hold on to our relationship with our son.

I tell my story so others will know that it is okay to allow your child to make decisions and possibly fail. As parents you want to protect them from negative consequences, but you have to be willing to allow them those life experiences. It won't be easy. In fact my husband had to hold me back a time or two from saying anything to my son. The two phrases my husband would use to remind me of our choice: "We can't do it for him" and "He's gotta want it."

Sometimes as a parent you have to let go of trying to save your child so you can continue to nurture your child/parent relationship. Remember that your goal as a parent is to work yourself out of a job. Do not act as an enabler nor reward bad behavior. Be confident that the wisdom you provided throughout your child's life will carry them through difficult times. You may not see the results at that very moment, but definitely at some time in his future. As a parent, I am always reminded of this verse: Proverbs 22:6; "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Posted in: Organized Mom on 06/14/2011

Camping Trip Essentials with the Organized Mom

Planning on taking a camping trip soon in this wonderful spring weather? In my Organized Mom blog post this month, I will share with you useful ideas for organizing your trip from what to pack, locations to camp, and of course having fun around the campfire.

You may wonder at the logic of a campfire in the heat of spring and summer, but a camping trip is not complete without at least an evening fire to make s'mores. There is something so relaxing and awe inspiring about gathering around a campfire with family or friends enjoying this delicious treat.

Since most of us cannot burn a fire in our backyard, heading out to a state or national park or even private land is the best alternative. Here are the top 10 state parks in the United States.

With over 58 national parks and hundreds more state parks, you are sure to find one that fits your schedule and camping needs. The websites above will direct you to information on location, weather, and facilities. The cost of camping is minimal and when you have to watch your vacation budget, it's the best bang for your buck. For example, a family can camp in a shelter at the Glimmerglass State Park in New York for $50-$100 a weekend plus entrance fees. Save even more money by purchasing a National or State Parks Pass for a one-time fee and avoid the daily entrance fees in all the state parks in your state.

Most parks have nature experts who hold classes inside the park to educate campers on what birds and animals live within their park grounds and during some seasons larger activities are planned for younger campers. Just remember each state has vastly different amenities and activities all depending on what part of the country you reside. This creates plenty of options for families and individual campers.

Once you've found a place to camp, it's time to start packing. I suggest making a Master List for camping on your computer. Divide up your list into three categories: Camping Supplies, Food, and Personal Items. Be sure to add to and update this list as needed. When you're ready to go camping, print your list and use it as a checklist... no need to recreate it each time.

Here are a few sometime forgotten items to include on your list:
Tent stakes
Mallet for hammering the tent stakes
Tablecloth
Tablecloth clips for windy days
Clothesline to dry clothing and towels
Clothespins (endless uses)
Oven mitts
Tongs for cooking
Plenty of trash bags
Dishpan for washing dishes
Ziploc bags (endless uses)
Games/Cards
Sunscreen
Batteries
Broom and dustpan for sweeping out your tent or shelter

Now that you know where you are going and you are packed and ready, the only thing left is to plan some fun when you are camping. Watch my video blog to learn this great campsite game. Everyone gathers around the fire or an open area sitting on the ground or in camp chairs. Only a few players know the rules of the game. The object of the game is to get the other players to say the correct phrase and that can only happen if they clue in on the hands of each person. It starts with going around the circle and each person saying one of these three phrases, "One up, one down", "Two up" or "Two down." There are no other answers.

The answers depend on where their hands are (see video). For the people that have no idea how to play the game, they are uncertain how to get the correct answer. At first they guess, but as time progresses they look for patterns, of which there are none. After some time, everyone begins to get the clues that determine the correct phrase.
Taking a camping trip is one of the best ways to explore a simpler life. Afternoons yield themselves to a nap in the hammock, hiking trails, and families playing games at the picnic table. As an Organized Mom there is just something about getting away for a few days and allowing everyone to unplug from the cell phones, laptops, and iPods. Take the time to schedule a camping trip for your family and enjoy great rewards.

Posted in: Organized Mom, The Go Mom on 05/12/2011

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Organized Mom

Keep Your Clutter from Coming Home

The Organized Mom: Graduation Memories

Camping Trip Essentials with the Organized Mom

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