When creating a home organizer notebook, your first step will be deciding what sections or dividers are important to your family. Every family's needs are different, so brainstorm a list together for "must-haves" in order to keep everyone efficient. Some common sections are:
- Planner Divider
- School Divider
- Phone Directory Divider
- Family Divider
- Meals/Menu Divider
- Home Management Divider
The planning divider generally is the first section within your notebook. It should include your lists, such as a master to-do list, a daily to-do list, and weekly to-do list. Be sure to also include a calendar that has large boxes so there is room to write in it. You can find these calendars at a local supply store, or create your own through a word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
School dividers are the "golden ticket", as you will not know how you ever survived without one. Especially if you have more than one child, this simple section can include every school activity, including:
- After school programs
- Summer programs
- School information
- Lunch menu
- Carpool schedule
- School schedule/holiday list
- Tutor information
A phone directory divider can finally eliminate all those little slips of paper with random phone numbers scribbled on them. Emergency numbers, babysitters, and friends can all be kept here, including any phone messages taken throughout the day.
Think of your family divider as an index to your family members. Some ideas to include in this section can be a special occasions list (birthdays, anniversaries), travel packing checklist, clothing size list, and house sitter checklist can be useful tools to have at your finger tips.
Worried about what to make for dinner? By using a meals/menu divider, you will never have to stress about meal time again! By planning your meals ahead of time, you can save time by creating your grocery list simultaneously. You can also make a few easy-to-freeze dishes, such as casseroles or lasagna that can be popped into the oven on those really busy days. Tips for this divider can include:
- List of "quick prepare" meal ideas
- Grocery list
- Coupons
- List of any dishes you have frozen, with the date it was created
- Recipies
- Menu planning
The home management divider is a great section with the busy mom in mind. Including checklists such as a household regular cleaning checklist, seasonal cleaning checklist, and children's chore list can organize your cleaning needs and are helpful reminders of when items need to be checked, cleaned, or replaced. A stain removal guide and car maintenance schedule are also helpful items to include.
Having your home organizer notebook completed is not the final step in home organization. You have to actually pu it into action. While at first it may seem time consuming, by having your family life organized, you will be able to actually enjoy your day without the stress of forgetting important events. Remember, this tool is meant to help you, but can only do so if you take the extra time to utilize it. You will be glad you did.
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