Optimization Hour
Are you a tired parent juggling the chaos of family life?
Let’s face it, parenting is a wild ride sprinkled with sticky messes, random toy explosions, and the occasional existential crisis. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the disarray surrounding you. What if I told you that optimizing your living space could transform your daily grind into a smoother, more enjoyable journey?
Imagine a home that not only caters to your family’s needs but also brings peace to your mind and heart. Finding the time to streamline your environment isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity for your sanity. Here’s the secret sauce: a well-organized space reduces stress, enhances functionality, and ultimately gives you more time to cherish those precious moments with your little ones.
By investing a bit of time, like one hours a week, to declutter and rearrange your living space, you can create zones that encourage play, relaxation, and productivity—all while maintaining your sanity. Think open areas for your kids to play freely and logical storage solutions that make cleaning up a breeze. With everything in its place, you’ll spend less time searching for that elusive sippy cup or lost shoe and more time enjoying family adventures. My husband & I spend an hour once a week to either discuss how we can make things better in our routine, stare at a room and ponder how we can revamp the space so that it works for us, or do some recon at local stores or online for what might make life that little bit easier. When you live with chronic pain, every 5% that you can optimize adds up to be more of a relief for you with day-to-day living.
Now, let’s chat about how we can make your space work for you. Embrace the challenge of turning your home into a sanctuary that supports your unique parenting journey. It’s time to optimize, simplify, and breathe easier. Because when your living space functions seamlessly, so can you.
So, are you ready to reclaim your time and transform your home into a haven? Let’s do this together! Here’s a general list of what goes through my head when I think optimization hour:
Put away outgrown clothes or shoes
Change over seasonal clothing
Wash stinky mits, toques, hats, shoes, blankets or stuffies
Spray stain remover on those clothes perpetually being washed
Stock up bathroom items (lotion, sunscreen, hair elastics, detangler, baby wash, towels, diapers, etc.)
Declutter entrances (main door, mud room, garage, etc).
Further optimization reflection practices:
Does your organization system in ____ room work? What can you try to do differently?
What did you find annoying with parenting this week or your routine? What about your partner?
Is there a moment in the day you always find annoying with parenting? ( I want a snack (repeat)… come (repeat)… colour(repeat)… etc). How can you respond different, be more prepared for it, or promote independence in any way?
Review what helps you in pain moments. Are items stocked, are they handy, do you need to write them on a list as a reminder?
Has your child grown in a way you can lighten your load by asking them to help? You never know until you try! Get them to put the wet clothes in the dryer, get them to find all the socks in the laundry basket when folding, or can they “pretend mop” with you? Can they start to wash their face & hands after meals themselves?
“Here we go!”~ Mario. Time to organize your chaos.
Organization Systems
In the whirlwind of early parenthood, staying organised can feel like trying to corral a herd of wild squirrels—frantically darting in every direction and completely out of your control. Organisation systems are your trusty lasso in this chaos. Whether it’s a colour-coded calendar, a designated “baby command centre” for all those tiny socks, or a meal-planning app that helps you avoid the dreaded witching hour supper scramble, establishing these systems can transform your daily life. Not only do they save you time and reduce stress, but they also create a sense of calm in a time that can often feel overwhelming. Let’s dive into how you can establish some quirky, yet effective organization systems that keep you one step ahead in your parenting journey!
Rainbow: Using colour-coded bins is a game-changer when it comes to organizing your belongings, especially in the whirlwind of early parenthood. Did you ever watch the Home Edit on Netflix during the pandemic? Their concept of organizing kids items like the rainbow seems so silly at first, but it works!!
See It & Use It: Clear bins offer a transparent view of what’s inside, so you can quickly locate that elusive toy or onesie without diving into a chaotic heap. Here are some of my favourites!
Color Categories: By assigning specific colours to different categories—like blues for blocks, pinks for plushies, and yellows for clothes—you're not just creating a visually pleasing environment; you're also training little eyes to recognize where things belong.
Stuffies Galore: Organizing stuffed animals can turn your child's treasure trove into a tidy haven. First, consider using a hanging net or hammock; this provides an interesting display while saving floor space and makes it easy for kids to pick their favourites. A storage ottoman is another clever option – it doubles as seating and a secret hideaway for plush pals. If your little one is up for a craft project, DIY a rainbow-coloured shelving unit to showcase their collection by colour or size, making it visually appealing! You can create your own “zoo". Lastly, a clear bin or large basket labelled with fun categories (like "Jungle Buddies" or "Magic Creatures") can help keep things sorted while adding a playful element to your child's room.
Essentials Bin: reduce the amount of stairs or “honey can you bring me this?” moments. Have a little bin in each bathroom of flushable wipes, pull-ups, diapers, training pants, tampons, pads, and kleenex. It sounds self-explanatory, but I don’t know how many times I’ve still been caught with my pants down (so to speak). So make sure you restock in your Organization Hour! Or perhaps you need a little diaper caddy by the TV or wherever you spend the most time, so essentials are handy when an explosion out of either end happens.
Furniture
Filing Cabinet: Having a lockable filing cabinet is like having a fortress for your important documents, especially when you’re navigating the chaos of early parenthood. With all the medical records, school forms, and sensitive information swirling around, it's crucial to keep everything secure and organised. A locked cabinet not only protects your personal data from prying eyes but also gives you peace of mind, knowing that you’re safeguarding your family’s information. Plus, in those frazzled moments when you can barely remember where you left your coffee, having everything neatly filed away can be a lifesaver! Embracing this small piece of organization can make a big difference in managing your household amidst the delightful chaos of parenting.
Shelving: Use sturdy, adjustable shelves to accommodate everything from books and toys to craft supplies and parenting manuals, because let's face it, we all need a bit of sanity in this whirlwind of parenting. Opt for keeping essentials within arm’s reach. When shelves are strategically placed and decluttered, they can be a simple yet effective way to create a functional flow in your home, allowing the vibrant mess that is family life to coexist with calmness and order.
Little table & chair: designed for little ones in mind to keep them safe and role model play as you cook, clean or do others chores.
Toy storage: bins to contain the overwhelming collection of toys is key! But get creative, it doesn’t have to be only for children with designs on them. Think outside the box (or treasure chest that is!). Something new on the market is a stuffy tower! I love how it’s clear to see through and a zipper to access a stuffy at any level!
Kitchen stand: Consider investing in a sturdy kitchen stand so your little ones can help out in the kitchen while being safe and not climbing on stools or chairs.
Multi-functional: Why not use a horizontal dresser as changing table? Simply install a changing pad on top. Secure it with straps and screw it into the back of the dresser, with a rubber grip tape for added securement.
Pens: Pack & Plays are great, but small. If you have a dog or pet in the home, why not get a multi-functional gate or play pen. You can line it with foam pads or blankets and place many toys in there. I used this daily when my little one was in the crawling & standing phase, otherwise I couldn’t get anything done let alone use the bathroom fast enough.
Kitchen
Reconfiguring your kitchen zones can be a game changer, especially when juggling toddler safety with the daily chaos of parenthood. Imagine walking into your kitchen and knowing exactly where everything is meant to be for each task. Not only does this streamline your cooking process, but it also creates a safer environment for your little one.
Cooking Zone
Designate a specific area for cooking. Keep pots, pans, and utensils within easy reach, but out of your toddler's grasp. Consider investing in drawer locks or high cabinets for items that pose a risk. A pull-out cutting board can help keep your prep surfaces clear while your kiddo explores safely nearby.
Cleaning Zone
Your cleaning supplies should be stored in a locked cabinet or on high shelves, ideally in a separate area from where you prepare food. This keeps harmful substances away from curious hands. A well-organised cleaning zone can save you time when you need to tidy up quickly while keeping an eye on your toddler.
Snack Zone
Create a designated snack zone that's accessible to your little one. Lower shelves or bins filled with healthy snacks can empower your toddler to make their own choices (and possibly create a bit of mess!). It’s a win-win—a little independence for them and a quick fix for your hunger crises!
Play Zone
If you’re spending time in the kitchen, why not introduce a small play area nearby? A few toys or books can keep your toddler entertained while you cook. Just ensure it's in a safe space, away from hot surfaces and sharp objects.
Safety Tips
Use non-slip mats to prevent falls.
Always supervise your toddler in the kitchen, even with zones clearly defined.
Teach them about dangers—like hot stoves and sharp knives—as they grow.
By thoughtfully configuring your kitchen zones, you’ll create a practical space that caters to both your cooking needs and your little one’s safety. Plus, it can reduce some of those heart-stopping moments when they decide to explore! So get those areas sorted out, and make your kitchen a haven of organised chaos.This all makes tidying up less of a chore and transforms the daily scavenger hunt into a fun learning experience for your kiddos. Plus, a well-organised space means less stress and more time for those precious snuggles!
More optimization tips
Here are some items that make my spaces or time and energy expenditure easier:
Long charging cords in good locations
USB plug-ins or versatile outlets
Storing safety items conveniently within child reach
Child-proofing sockets, sharp items, and cupboards. Getting extra lock keys too!
Door contact sensors. You can get plug-in ones for staying somewhere other than home, or set up your home with a whole system like Ring Alarm.
Bath tub toy bins
Laundry hamper with lid
Garbage with lid
Toddler toilet seat with hanger to keep off to side
Collapsable toddler stools
Main floor kitchen laundry hamper
Shared list on phone with household members for grocery, needed items and chores
Shared calendar on phone with spouse for tracking events/ appointments
