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real life. real organized. real simple.™
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real life. real organized. real simple.™ |
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2008 : summer eNews
 "Mommy?" · "Yes..." · "I wuv you."
 newsletter contents
featured resources
Neat Stuff
Planners & Lists
Parenting Tips
online @ [ real neat ]
summer survey
contact information
Real Neat, LLC
205 Quail Hollow Dr. Georgetown, KY 40324 p : 859-321-4759 e : getneat@realneat.com |
[ real neat ] salute to summer
Whew! One month later, Amanda and I are finally getting back into the swing of things after our wonderfully relaxing vacation! We spent one week at family church camp in Boyne City, Michigan, and a second week at my parents' home in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Amanda loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, and I enjoyed the cooler weather and refreshing summer breeze! I hope that you've also been able to spend some time enjoying these gorgeous summer months...
Now that the daily grind is upon us, it's time to get back to the business of organizing! Did you know that July was "Purposeful Parenting" month? Me either! But, what a wonderful mantra...
Like you, I strive to be truly purposeful in my own parenting efforts (though I definitely fall short of my aspirations at times)! Nonetheless, I'm anxious to share with you a few tidbits of wisdom that I've discovered along the journey, in the hopes that they'll prove useful to you during your child-rearing years (and beyond)!
So, let's get on with today's to-do list : Send the kiddos off to play, grab an iced tea, head out to the deck, kick off your shoes, stretch out on the hammock, and read the day away!
MICHELLE DEO
Professional Organizer
 [ real neat ] purposeful parenting
Purposeful parenting means being really involved in your kids' lives—knowing what they are up to and setting some positive BOUNDARIES to guide their behavior and decisions. Purposeful parenting helps you to teach good organizing SKILLS to your kids—from learning how to manage their time to keeping their rooms in order to understanding responsibilities to others.
But it also helps you make time to spend with your children and avoid CONFLICTS (over bedtimes and homework and "why can't I take dance classes") before they start. Take some time this month to examine what works and what doesn't, as it relates to parenting your children. Here are a few tips to help you get started...
~ Guest Author : Ramona Creel ~
[ real neat ] organizing with kids
Are you TIRED of asking your kids to put away their toys, clothes, and school books? Teach your children to help out, without making it a CHORE! If "Clean up your room!" is a popular refrain in your household, there are some simple steps you can take to get your kids on the organizing bandwagon.
Give Them Control
You already know your children are full of ideas, so allowing them to PARTICIPATE in creating the organizing plan is a great first step. Instead of making decisions for them about where their toys should be stored or how to sort their clothes, let your little ones make the decisions for THEMSELVES.
Maybe they want their clothes organized by color instead of type, when you had planned on doing the reverse. Work with your kids to find out where they think things should go, and use those ideas to find appropriate homes for all of their stuff. Your kids will feel a lot more INVESTED in a system that they can help design, rather than one that is imposed on them.
Keep It Simple
A common pitfall of people who organize for their children rather than with them is that they create COMPLICATED systems oriented toward adults. Keep in mind that for your kids, a simple solution is likely to make the most sense. Try to avoid too many complicated categories and hard-to-use gizmos.
Instead, keep categories straightforward and AGE-APPROPRIATE, and make sure that any containers or specialized organizing tools—such as craft boxes and reclosable plastic bags—can be safely and easily used by your child.
Make Storage Accessible
Chances are, your kids can't REACH as high as you, and can't LIFT as much either. I've gone into a number of homes where well-meaning parents had storage bins full of toys that had been stacked nearly floor-to-ceiling.
When I asked how easy it was for the kids to access the toys in the bottom bin, the parents usually said, "Not very." If your kids can't easily access their storage systems, they won't use them. When you’re ready to design your children's storage systems, ask yourself these three questions:
Label Everything
For kids (as well as for adults), a label on something makes it OFFICIAL. Once a drawer has a label that says "socks" and a storage container is labeled "dolls," those become the official homes for those items. As long as everything has a clearly labeled HOME, the chances of items finding their way back to those homes become much greater.
Use Color
Finally, kids love color, so use it in their organizing systems! Color-coded storage areas, drawers, and other containers serve as creative ways to "label" FUNCTIONS of your kids’ storage systems. Choose colors that are their favorites, and especially colors that have MEANING to them.
For instance, a pink canvas bin can be where your little girl keeps her dolls while a red one might be perfect for all of her colorful art supplies. Find systems that work, and remember to get the kids involved in the process.
Organizing Can Be Fun
Spending time with your kids developing organizing ideas and solutions can be a fun and REWARDING family activity. Soon, you may find that your kids’ rooms practically clean themselves!
~ Guest Author : Joshua Zerkel, CPO® ~
[ real neat ] speaking services
Need a speaker for your group? Think your friends and colleagues might like to learn how to get real organized? Book now to ensure that the day and time of your event is still available on my schedule! I would love to share my organizing expertise with your audience!
In my presentation, I will offer plenty of practical tips and ideas, as well as prizes and giveaways. Additional options (that will require a bit more leg-work on your part) are the "messiest space" contest and the formal q & a session.
Possible speaking topics include : everyday challenges of time management, paper control, household management, new parenthood, downsizing, estate planning, and office efficiency. You choose what will suit your audience best. [ Not to worry, I'll provide some recommendations... ]
Need to ask me some questions? E-mail or call : (869) 321-4759.
[ real neat ] blog highlights
This summer, 15 new organizing tips & ideas were added to
my blog.
Some of the most popular entries were...
I have personally enjoyed writing my new regular series of blog entries entitled Monday Missions. I encourage you to join me each week as we tackle an organizing challenge together.
In fact, why don't you e-mail me some of your toughest organizing dilemmas? If I feature an answer to your question on my blog, you could win some real neat organizing goodies!
Receive instant updates when new entries are added; use your favorite news reader and subscribe to: http://www.realneat.com/realorganized/feed/.
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[ real neat ] organizing seminars @ Scott County Library
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