As a Mom of three children (ages 10, 7, and 4) I am always looking for ways to organize and conquer the clutter (especially paper!) in my home.
There seems to always be an endless stack of school papers to sign, art projects and important reminders that need to be sorted and many times kept for reminders of upcoming events.
My dream home would have a mudroom off of my garage where backpacks & coats would be stored. I would also love a separate room where homework and school projects could be tackled without involving my kitchen table. But, in the meantime I am constantly looking for ways to keep the kitchen island free of paper and in an orderly fashion.
I think this year I finally found a solution that is working for our family. I use the “Hang-Up Home Organizer” on my pantry door to store those important paper and bills. The Organizer has four pockets with clear ID slots which I use for each child and one for myself. This assists in keeping all of their documents separate. It also has a spot to add a monthly calendar as well as a clear pocket which is great for writing important reminders with a dry erase marker. The Organizer works best if placed in a central location in your home that is easily accessible. It will become the “go to” stop for weekly reminders and keeping up with upcoming bills.
What I also like is that since the folders have each child’s name that even my ten and seven year old know where to look when trying to find signed paperwork to take to school or a team sport. I started using the Organizer at the beginning of the school year and have really noticed a difference in all of the clutter that in the past would accumulate on my kitchen island. Is my island free of mess? Absolutely not! But, it is becoming less covered with papers. I am sure I am not alone that when admitting that the more unorganized and cluttered my house the grumpier I seem to be. I don’t expect everything to be perfect but I do need some kind of order in my house (especially the kitchen) to even be able to think straight some days.
My other favorite organizing tool is the Mini Utility Bin. Each of my children has one with their name on it and they are used to carry items that are scattered around the house up to their rooms in the evening. I typically leave them on the steps and when I find their items on the floor or kitchen throughout the day I just toss the item in their bin to be put away later. This has saved me from sorting through everything that I used to just place in one basket I had at the steps. It has also given them more responsibility knowing that they are in charge of emptying and putting away whatever is in their bin each evening. 
I also use a Mini Utility Bin in each of their rooms to store toys and stuffed animals. The bin is not too big so that I can carry it and pick up items quickly when I am in hurry and trying to do a quick pick-up before leaving or before expecting guests.
Thirty-One has all the organizing tools to assist in getting your house, car and life back in shape. I am sure most every Mom in the Columbus has seen (or has!) a Thirty-One thermal tote at school, local parks, the Zoo. The thermal totes are great at keeping lunches cold when needed. But, what many do not realize is that Thirty-One offers much more than the thermal tote. Their catalog is full of ideas to assist you in organizing your home.
You can view all the great organizing tools on-line here. If you prefer a paper catalog, email me and I will be happy to send you one. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call (614-746-2293) me. Also, this month I have a GREAT special - spend $31 and get a purse for 1/2 off! AND, Mention NE Columbus Macaroni Kid and get 10% off your first order.
Jody Chiovarelli
Independent Consultant for Thirty-One and clutter conquering mom of three.
