Problem:

Dear Geralin,

Help! I need an organizing hint. Here goes: I never know what to do about getting my kids out the door with all their sports stuff; I home-schooler mom with have 5 kids. I need each of them to pack their own things but usually someone forgets something, including me. Any ideas for getting me out the door without a return trip home for forgotten items?

Kim in Wake Forest (more…)

Summer’s here! Do you know where Stephen Leatherman, Ph.D. is? More importantly, do you know who he is? He is the lucky dog who creates an annual list of America’s 10 Best Beaches. What a job, huh? He probably travels all over the United States looking for out-of-the-way beaches and then “hides out” there for a few days of boating, sunning, drinking ice-cold beverages and watching glorious sunrises while contorting into pretzel-like yoga positions. All this while we sit home reading about these fabulous destinations on uncomfortable plastic patio furniture.

Since the “best beaches” job is already filled, I’m hopeful that we, as Clever Parents, could have a bit of good old-fashioned summertime fun and create our very own list too. After all, summer has officially arrived!

Summer is here…Do you know where your clutter is? Please join me in creating the very first interactive list of home-based clutter hiding spaces. To be more specific, places we hide *things*. (more…)

A pocketful of cash, a clutter-free home, and a lot of interaction between your stuff and passers-by all make yard sales hard to resist. Who hasn’t driven by a yard sale and wondered if there’s a too-good-to-be-true bargain hiding behind a used sewing machine, or if the perfect whatcha-ma-call-it at a to-die-for price is amidst all the other treasures.

Why have a yard sale?
We all want our homes to be clean and neat and to reflect who we are. A truly great home balances organization with comfort and style. Hosting a yard sale provides incentive to edit things from your house that no longer fit, work, come in handy, or relate to your lifestyle. Oh yes, and yard sales generate extra income. So, why not have a yard sale? (more…)

What you gon’ do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk.
(Black Eyed Peas)

Got car clutter? How about junk in the trunk or trash on the dash? Perhaps you have no idea who the Black Eyed Peas are (lyrics above) but you are nonetheless asking yourself what indeed you’re going to do with all that junk. Conquer the car clutter!

Take the Homillers, a Cary family who needs to organize their family van in time for summer vacation. Annette, Dan, Sam, James and Pepper, their Portuguese water dog, are probably a lot like your family — busy and always on the go. And they have a minivan with too much junk! (more…)

Daylight Savings Time (DST) is the perfect time to make a quick safety survey of your home. With spring approaching, not only can you protect your family with the following quick, done-in-a-day tasks, you can also declutter with DST. So, get ready to enjoy those long daylight hours!

1. Test and replace the batteries in smoke alarms, house alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 2. Replace smoke alarms that were installed before 1997 as well as carbon monoxide detectors that were installed prior to 2002.
3. Check the expiration date and the pressure gauge on fire extinguishers.
4. Replace batteries and bulbs in flashlights.
5. Adjust outdoor timers on lights to accommodate the longer daylight hours.

Still feeling energized? Here’s a list of things to purge: (more…)

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Abigail Adams

I’ve shared that quote with dozens of young Chronically Disorganized (CD) clients. I often ask them to substitute the word organizing for the word learning and read the quote out loud. Children can then see that while organization – like education – may be attainable it doesn’t come effortlessly. Students who are naturally disorganized are at a disadvantage unless we, as professional organizers, can help them by implementing systems, support, and structure. Training students how to get organized and teaching them why being organized is critical to their success is essential. Uncovering the appropriate training techniques is often an overlooked step to becoming properly organized. Most often what I see when working with junior clients (between 3^rd and 6^th grades) is that their parents or teachers have implemented a seemingly flawless organizing system for the student. Unfortunately, it isn’t the right system for that particular child. Sometimes it’s too detailed. Or, maybe it doesn’t take into account the student’s learning style. (more…)

Whether it’s a rash, hives, bee sting or mosquito bite, or whether you’re a parent of one or a parent of multiples, having a well-stocked, family-friendly first aid kit or medicine cabinet is a must. Gathering essentials and being prepared is a necessity – plus, organizing a first aid kit is an easy-to-assemble, thoughtful project and loving gesture that will be greatly appreciated when it’s needed. Assembling the contents in a fresh, clean, easy-to-find yet out-of-reach place doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive – it just takes a bit of planning.

Good news! No need to spend a fortune!
The “kit” can be a recycled backpack or tote bag, a plastic dishpan or a wooden wine crate. It doesn’t have to be a brand new box designed especially for this purpose. Look around your home and chances are you will have a container that can be “repurposed”. One key element is that the container you select should be easy to spot and open.

More good news!
All “ingredients” can be purchased in one shopping trip from any drugstore and can be budget-friendly if generic brands are purchased. (more…)