Guest Post - How to Unlock Your Child's Organizational Skills

Kids probably aren’t the first demographic you think of when you hear the words “neat” and “tidy” – but that still doesn’t mean that you and your kids must accept chaotic mess as a daily reality! The stress of living in a disorderly family home can have hugely detrimental effects on a child’s development, not to mention your sanity as a parent: and since it’s entirely possible to rear conscientious and tidy little people, why not start now?

Since it can be difficult to know which strategies to implement to best encourage your child to unlock their organizational skills, we’ve gathered the best tips on how to start for you below. Just keep reading!

Treat them like little adults

When it comes to learning new activities, kids love being spoken to like adults. Learning how to organize your own belongings and responsibilities is a critical part of growing up. Lead your kids through importance of organization – first by helping them plan, then assisting them, and finally – letting them organize their things by themselves. By helping your children become enthusiastic about these chores, you are setting them up for good habits in adulthood.

Try your best to explain to your kids the reasoning behind organizational activities like tidying up. For example, you might let them know that organized kids do better at school, and that tidying up immediately after mess is created saves significant time in the long-run.

Teach them the essentials of organization

For children, important things to organize include:

-Getting ready for school the night before, including packing lunch

-Making sure that each item (especially clothing) has a place in a drawer or container

-Keeping track of both what you do each day, and what other people need you to do

-Doing your homework at the same time every day

-Time management and prioritization (what's the most important thing on your list, and how much time must you reserve for it?)

Supply them with the right organizational resources

Kids like – and need – tangible reminders for organizational tasks, such as the spring-clean they're supposed to do next Wednesday or the room clean you expect of them daily). Help them eradicate any excuses by making use of checklists, diaries, calendars, and other fun stationery which will allow them to visualize what's left to do.

You might especially consider helping your kids create their own personalized routines for before and after school, which are usually the peak times where parents and children must both be organized. Work with your kids, checking off your list of family duties as well as their individual to-do lists.

Designate them their own “working” space

People with school-age kids will be familiar with the homework struggle. How can you teach your kids to fully focus on their work, rather than do it in front of the television?

One smart solution is to designate one room in the house as the kids’ study room. If you don’t currently have the space for this, consider an add-on or extension room. This kind of separation between the social, familial area of the house and the “focus” area can do wonders for your kids’ study habits into the future.

Lead by example

You may run a fine line when trying to get your kids keen on organization and cleaning. Children watch your reactions to chores – if you don’t look excited about de-cluttering and organizing your space, your child will very soon realize that, in fact, most people don’t enjoy cleaning up. However, if you keep your enthusiasm up, you still have the opportunity to frame organizational tasks and duties with positive associations - so pump up the music and make it a family tradition to dance through your nightly tidy-up!

Harper learned organizational skills from her parents at a very young age. Her hard work paid off – with her organizational skills coming in very handy in her professional life for scheduling, managing work, and meeting deadlines. And this all began with a pink paper planner her Mum handmade for her while she was in primary school. To know more about Harper and read more of her written works, visit Harper Reid.

Interview - American Flora

As professional organizers we see a lot of “stuff” in people’s homes. When determining what we should keep, one of the areas we focus on is, quality. We spoke with Mary Brewster from American Flora about her collection as an antidote to disposable consumption.

For the busy person, what is American Flora?

When looking for a beautiful and unique gift, American Flora provides accessories that are Sustainable and Made in America. Our website is user friendly to make shopping very easy.

What is your origin story, how did you start the company?

I started the company because I wanted to sell a sustainable line of dance and yoga wear. I’m a ballet dancer who grew tired of purchasing Leotards etc that were not comfortable. Ones that were made with inferior fabrics.When I found out about REPREVE (the fabric I use), I was certain it would be perfect for my line. I was also determined sew the US and use a sustainable fabric. As you can read on my website, REPREVE is made from recycled plastic bottles.After a few years I decided to pivot and created the Wraps then the bags.

What is the Giving section of American Flora?

I designed the LOVE bag to bring awareness to my audience. Awareness about how necessary and easy it is to give/spread love.I decided to donate 15% of the profits from the sale of the LOVE bag to a foundation called Circle of Health International. The Giving page on my website explains the work COHI does. American Flora has always donated to a cause that helps women. It used to be Breast Care at Hartford Hospital. I was very moved by the passion and dedication of the midwives who work for COHI. They work globally. I chose a project in Puerto Rico, where they are still struggling after the damage caused by Hurricane Maria.

Can you explain more about sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion focuses on avoiding waste. Another term for it is Slow Fashion vs the Fast Fashion craze that has been going on for at least ten years.

Fast fashion gained momentum when the prices of some brands of clothes went way down, along with the quality. It also perpetuated the hiring of children in factories, an abundant waste of water, bad working conditions and message that clothes were “throw away”. Why bother keeping them if you could buy something else for cheap.

I chose to create my line using a fabric that is made from recycled plastic bottles, which otherwise would remain on beaches, and land as litter.

In addition, I chose American factories and suppliers that adhere to a sustainable practice.

What are some of your most popular pieces or ones you enjoy making the most?

The bags have become the most popular. Initially the Buddha bag was purchased more. When I started the campaign with the LOVE bag, that rose to the top.

That said, the Pink Cactus and Red Cactus Wraps are very popular. I took the images when visiting a Botanical Cactus Garden in Majorca Spain. Those are special for me, and the reason I designed the Black Clutch with a Red and Pink accent.

Interview - Greenwich Historical Society

At House to Home Organizing one of the habits we encourage is a switch from focusing on stuff towards experiences. We spoke with Stasha Healy from the Greenwich Historical Society about their mission and why you should stop in for a visit.

For the busy person, what is the Greenwich Historical Society?

We connect the community and the world to the important history of Greenwich by telling its stories through items in our collections, lectures, museum exhibitions, educational programs for school children and teachers, championing historic preservation, media outreach, and more. We are the stewards for the circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House, which survived the American Revolution and became the site of America’s first American Impressionist art colony from 1890 to 1920.

What was the recent renovation?

We restored a former hotel and saloon that had been used more recently as a residence, back to its former architectural integrity and seamlessly added a new building to it that is home to new state-of-the-art, climate-controlled library and archives and museum galleries. One gallery presents rotating exhibitions relating to Greenwich’s history and art; the other gallery has a short film and timeline that explain the history of Greenwich at a glance as well as an area that showcases some of the beautiful works of the former residents of the Cos Cob art colony.

The GHS conducts many programs what are some of your favorites?

Candlelight is a wonderful, free event where the community gathers for live music, a visit from Santa, treats, and seasonal crafts for kids. People can also take tours of Bush-Holley House decorated for the holidays. I also really enjoy the Landmarks Recognition Program: Every year we identify buildings with historic value and tell their stories. This past year my favorite was a home on North Street that was built nearly as an exact replica of the Petit Trianon of Versailles!

What are the archives?

The repository for documents and items relating to Greenwich history.

If someone has something they want to donate, what is the process?

If people have documents to donate they should contact Christopher Shields. If they have items other than documents they should contact Karen Frederick.

Guest Post - How to Baby Proof Your Kitchen Efficiently

Babies are so playful and curious, right? It’s very cute to watch how they do naughty things and play around with their environment.

However, the cute could quickly turn into dangerous, especially in the kitchen where there are many sharp, toxic, and hot items and appliances that could seriously injure your baby.

So how do you baby-proof your kitchen efficiently?

Fortunately, there are quite many things you could do for that. And we’ll be talking today exactly about that!

Store away your cleaning chemicals

If you are using any detergents, pesticides, or cleaning products containing toxic elements, make sure to lock them up in a place that is out-of-reach for your baby.

Aside from storing away harmful chemicals, you might want to consider switching to something safer. For example, use non-chlorine bleach, mineral oil, vinegar, borax, and other products.

Still, you would need to make sure that you keep them away from the baby since those safer solutions could be harmful anyway, albeit much less than the more harmful chemicals.

Buy products with child-resistant caps

A child-resistant cap is a good way of restricting the baby’s access to stuff that he shouldn’t be touching. However, it is more of a last-resort thing since babies could figure out how to open them anyway.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission even once stated that the child-resistant packaging is the parents’ last line of defense, so don’t just rely on buying a product in a child-proof container.

Store dangerous items as high up as possible

Cutlery, plastic bags, boxes of cling wrap, aluminum foil, and other hazardous items should be kept as high up as possible. If you just store all those dangerous items in a floor cabinet, your baby might be able to easily reach them.

Instead, make sure to put all those items in wall cabinets.

Unplug your appliances when not in use

You may be too lazy to unplug your appliances after using them, but that’s a thing that you should definitely do.

First of all, your baby could trip over the wires. Not only will he fall down, but he may also get injured from the appliance coming down on his head.

Aside from that, your baby may injure himself while playing with a plugged-in blender or coffee maker.

So, don’t be lazy and turn off your kitchen appliances after use.

Never leave glassware or hot food unattended

Even if it’s just for a few moments, never leave glassware, china, and hot food and beverages unattended. Besides, don’t use tablecloths in the kitchen since the baby could just pull on them and then get injured from whatever falls down on him.

Put latches on the knobs and doors of your appliances

All those knobs on your oven or stove sure could be of great interest to your child. While he may not injure himself directly while playing with them, he could cause a serious fire hazard that could end very badly for your home.

To make sure that this doesn’t happen, use knob covers and/or latches on the knobs that you don’t want your child to play with.

Use the back burners of your stove

Whenever possible, use the back burners of your stove so your kid doesn’t have access to them. If you have got the stove crowded and have no other choice than to put pots in the front, make sure to turn their handles inward so your baby can’t grab onto them.

Use a safety gate to keep your baby out of the kitchen

Possibly the most efficient way of keeping your baby away from all the kitchen hazards is just not letting him accessing the kitchen. If he simply doesn’t have any access to the kitchen, then how possibly could he injure himself with a knife or a stove?

As great as this method is, you may not be feeling right about not allowing your baby to explore the house. In fact, he should do that, so you may want to opt for the other options we have talked about.

In the end, even if you go for restricting your baby’s access to the kitchen, you should probably still use all the other child-proof stuff: if your child manages to get into the kitchen in spite of all the baby-proof gates you put, he will still be safe because your kitchen is baby-safe.

Cover all the power outlets in the kitchen

It just sometimes seems that there is some kind of a magic connection between babies and power outlets. Some mysterious force just urges them to stick their fingers in.

You have to prevent that.

Cover any outlets in the kitchen that you don’t use with baby-proof outlet plugs. You should also do this for every outlet in your house as well.

Set up a special corner for your baby in the kitchen

It is an excellent idea to dedicate one cabinet in your kitchen for your baby to open and explore. This cabinet should be located far away from your kitchen appliances.

Fill that cabinet with interesting and safe objects that would keep the baby occupied so he doesn’t even think about playing with stove knobs. And besides, such a playing space would allow you not to put any restrictions on your baby’s access to the kitchen.

Never leave your baby unattended

Regardless of how many safety precautions you take, never leave your baby unattended in the kitchen, not even for one second. Your baby may still be able to figure out ways to bypass all the mechanisms that you’ve put to stop him with.

You should never rely on all those baby-proof measures since they could just not work when they are necessary. They aren’t 100% fail-proof, though they still are able to do a great job.

Instead, perceive the safety precautions in your kitchen just as some kind of a helping hand. If you have looked away for just a second, your baby probably won’t be able to bypass all the restrictions you put.

But if you just leave him in the kitchen unattended, he will have all the time in the world to do some stuff that could end up badly.

About the Author: Hey all, I am Morgan & I run my own home blog, Tools Inside. Being a mom and a home-maker, I get to play with a lot of tools and I review them on my spare hours.