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For some people, being organized comes naturally. For others, it’s something they must work at. As a busy parent, keeping things in their place isn’t always easy, but there are a few tips that can help. If you’re willing to make the most of your time (and help maintain your sanity), get ready, get set, and read on to get organized!

Some motivation to inspire

Get Ready

If organizing doesn’t come easy, you may need some motivation to inspire you. Here are some benefits of getting better organized:

  • ✓ Stay on top of appointments. No more forgetting and having to reschedule.
  • ✓ Save money. Forgetting to buy things at the discount store may mean having to buy them at the last minute — at the corner gas station or drug store, where the prices are higher.
  • ✓ Stay out of trouble. Forgetting to pay bills not only costs extra money in late fees, it can also affect your credit rating and future ability to make purchases, like a house or car.
  • ✓ Stay healthy. Keeping piles of paper can attract bugs, which is not healthy for you or your family. A lot of clutter can also create a stressful environment, which can take a toll on mental health.
  • ✓ Save time. Being organized saves time and stress — time you can use to exercise, play with your kids, or take a nap.

Get Set

Make a list of the areas of your life where being more organized would help:
  • ✓ Eating: Do you know what groceries you have in your cupboard or what you need to cook dinner? Do your meals and snacks contain a variety of healthy foods? You need a meal plan and a grocery list.
  • ✓ Money: Do you know how much money is in the bank or what bills are due at any given time? Do you follow a budget and track your expenses? You need a way to manage your money.
  • ✓ Health: Do you know when your next doctor’s appointment is? Do you schedule time to be active for 30 minutes every day? You need a calendar and a daily or weekly routine.
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Go Get Organized!

Organize your time:

  • Keep one calendar and always have it with you. This might be a pocket calendar, a planner, or on your smartphone. If you have a smartphone, you can keep track of appointments and set reminders so you don’t forget about them.
  • Don’t multi-task. Finish one thing before moving on to the next. Put your phone on silent or vibrate mode to help you focus.
  • Keep a routine of what to do when. For example, set a time for meals and snacks, exercising, cleaning, checking social media, etc.

Organize your space:

  • Set aside areas for baby’s activities. For example, a diaper changing area could be where you keep a blanket for laying down baby and a basket to keep diapers, wipes and cream.
  • It’s convenient to have a feeding area for your newborn close to the changing area, so plan to have a comfortable chair close by for feedings.

Organize your papers:

  • Only touch a piece of paper once. After reading mail, toss it in the recycling bin, file it or put it in your to-do pile.
  • Find a place to keep important papers. Items such as birth certificates and social security cards should be kept in a secure place in a moisture-proof container like a plastic portfolio.
  • A notebook with folders or a binder can be used to organize different areas of your life. One could be used for cooking — keeping recipes you want to try in the folder along with coupons. The notebook area can be a place where you keep lists of pantry items you currently have, and grocery lists of what you need. A health notebook can be used to keep WIC brochures, your family’s shot records and copies of medical records.

It takes a little time, but getting organized for you and your family will pay off in the long run! Stick with it and you’ll see!