Parent Hacks: Getting Organized

Getting Organized

So many parenting headaches boil down to lack of organization. But how do you find time to get organized when there's barely time for a shower?

Help is here. We've got hundreds of tips for organizing your house, your time, and your life, including:

...and more! Scroll down for our most recent tips.

29 May 2012

A better way to borrow/swap/sell among friends: Have On Hand

All Ages, Getting Organized

When it comes to stuff, especially baby and kid stuff, Parent Hacks Question #1 is: do you really need it? If the answer is yes, Question #2 is: can you borrow it or buy it used? If the answer is yes, great. But this is where a lot of us...

COMMENTS: 10 Tweet

25 May 2012

Escaping the "someday" trap

All Ages, Getting Organized

Parents of babies and toddlers take note: it's later than you think.

COMMENTS: 2 Tweet

16 May 2012

Minimalist decluttering: share your brilliance

All Ages, Getting Organized, Minimalist Parenting (the book!)

I'm combing through the Getting Organized hacks and am amazed by the wealth of wisdom and practical strategy there. But I'm sure there's more to talk about. Come on down to the Minimalist Parenting blog -- we're collecting even more brilliance for possible inclusion in the book.

COMMENTS: 2 Tweet

10 May 2012

Action starts with a dream

All Ages, Getting Organized

I've got stuff going on all over the place this week, and it's all pointing the same direction: dreams.

10 May 2012

Friendship bracelet helps get a preschooler's shoe on the right foot

3-5 Years, Behavior + Learning, Getting Organized

Karyn found a great way to support her daughter's independence while building a new skill.

COMMENTS: 8 Tweet

09 May 2012

Cell phone alarm keeps the family "launch" on time

3-5 Years, 6+ Years, Behavior + Learning, Getting Organized

I have experimented with timers, alarm clocks, and various tones of voice (most of them frustrated) and nothing seems easier or more logical than this.

COMMENTS: 7 Tweet

08 May 2012

An empty tissue box collects kid's car trash

All Ages, Getting Organized, Travel + Getting Out

So simple and smart -- makes me wonder why I put up with a messy back seat for so many years.

COMMENTS: 5 Tweet

08 May 2012

Minimalist budgeting: share your brilliance!

All Ages, Getting Organized, Minimalist Parenting (the book!)

Christine and I going to host conversations about various topics we're covering in the book over at the Minimalist Parenting blog. Today, we kick off the conversation talking about everyone's, uh, favorite topic, money.

COMMENTS: 6 Tweet

07 May 2012

The Power of Habit: live talk tomorrow!

All Ages, Getting Organized

Join me May 8, 2012 for a live, all-text book party on The Motherhood, to talk about a new book from New York Times business reporter and author Charles Duhigg, "The Power of Habit."

COMMENTS: 0 Tweet

07 May 2012

Fold tape into a tab for easy-removal fridge and freezer labels

All Ages, Getting Organized, Mealtime

I've always assumed Scotch tape doesn't work well for fridge and freezer labels, but I've never actually tried it. Sarah's tape trick has me rethinking.

COMMENTS: 5 Tweet

01 May 2012

Review and giveaway: The Baby Cheapskate Guide to Bargains

0-1 Year, Getting Organized, Giveaways

This book will pay for itself within a number of weeks. "The Baby Cheapskate Guide to Bargains" (plus some diapers) will be my go-to baby shower gift from now on.

COMMENTS: 79 Tweet

30 April 2012

Four decluttering tips from successful downsizers

All Ages, Getting Organized

In my latest post at Babble Voices, I share what I learned by watching my mother in-law -- a master declutterer -- at work.

16 April 2012

What will you limit to make room for something awesome?

All Ages, Getting Organized

Embracing constraints is as much about recognizing the value of your attention as it is about getting rid of stuff. My latest post at Babble Voices offers some ideas on how to get started.