Dear Geralin,

My husband and I are both fairly organized, but our third child is going to be born shortly and we know we’ll be overwhelmed soon. One area where we are not so organized is keeping track of all our passwords. Do you have any tips for keeping our passwords organized? The less tech-y the solution, the better. Read the rest »

This month’s question came from a woman I met while doing a presentation; she asked: ‘Geralin, are you always super-organized and if not, what do YOU do to get motivated?”

Short Answer: Heck no!

Long Answer: I dread processing the daily mail so I put it aside and open it once weekly on Trash Eve.* I think whoever said, “Touch your papers only once” must have been talking about Kleen-X because I think anyone with children has to go through their papers more than once, especially when the teacher needs photos from their past or an address for their Flat Stanley buddy in Alaska. Read the rest »

Dear Geralin,

Since having children our paperwork has grown into a chaotic mess that stresses me out. We have papers everywhere (and I do mean everywhere). We can never find anything so we spend a lot of time looking around for things. I don’t know where to begin. I feel like a failure because I can’t even figure out where to begin. Read the rest »

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER–ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Dear Geralin,

I recently started reading Clever Parents and thoroughly enjoy your organizing video clips and articles; these are the next best thing for some of us who don’t have our own professional organizer. I have 2 toddlers and don’t have a lot of time to research how to hire an organizer. If I were to hire an organizer, what should I ask when interviewing, and where do I find one?

Ava Read the rest »

Dear Geralin,

I’m not a tree hugger but I want to do my part to save the planet. Do you have any eco-friendly organizing hints for an average, SUV-driving mom living inside the belt line (i.e. inside the city limits)?

PS: Your “Master a Disaster” article was a lifesaver for me – thanks!

Molly in Raleigh

Good Golly Ms. Molly in Raleigh!

I have a black belt in shopping and am not a granola type of gal, so I am far from being an expert on this topic! I, too, am trying to go green but I have a disclaimer: When it comes to being green, I’m playing checkers while others are playing chess!
I’m like Kermit; it isn’t easy being green!

Maybe I’ll just tell you about my personal 12-step eco-program and, hopefully, it will inspire you. Read the rest »

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 Read the rest »

Watch Geralin Thomas of Metropolitan Organizing share tips for saying no to the constant stream of requests for your time without burning bridges. The Danger Rangers make safety a fun topic for kids. Plus, Kids Central Kitchen makes healthy and delicious snacks for kids that they can make!

See Vidcast #33 on Clever Parents TV. Read the rest »