FORM [SHOULD] FOLLOW FUNCTION

Order:

Everyone likes things that are beautiful, but in a house with young children, things need to be “workable” and convenient for the operation of the house THEN consider the “form” of it.  Once a room, desk, storage locker, basement has been beautifully organized or tastefully decorated, the task is not really complete until an important question is asked:  Does this really WORK like this?  If YES, it stays that way.  If NO, make the change which will allow it to be convenient and functional.  “Time” is generally the stress-driver in households.  Having to stop as you’re flying out the door in order to unpack a beautifully arranged shelving unit to find a notebook or missing headband [which cute decorative box WAS that in anyway?] is counterproductive.

Understanding the way your home actually functions [or tries to] is important.  Where do the barrettes land?  Does the baby get wound up in the lovely shower curtain?  Can I reach the paper towels quickly?  Are the mixing spoons in the kitchen drawer nearest the preparation point?  Where do the shoes and boots get “dropped”?  Can the children reach the coat hooks?  If you’re right-handed, are the baby wipes on the correct side of the changing table?  Etc.  Keep your eyes open for the littlest changes you might make.  They sometimes make the biggest difference in the “flow” of your day.

Self-Sufficiency: 

Make it easy for your child to do things him/herself.   Eg. Put his shoes/jackets in a place he can reach to put away or put on.  When he hands you his pacifier, ask him where it goes (he probably knows and will go put it away), etc. Prior to your supplying requested help, gently ask, “Did you try already?” or “What have you tried?”  If the answer’s in the negative, one response would be, “I help kids who try to do it themselves first.” [smile]

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.”

Encourage yourself to think - and let your child overhear you saying to yourself  – “I have time to put this away” OR “Where does this go?”  Post-It notes around the house are a great help in retraining ourselves, too.   Note to self: I HAVE TIME is pretty straightforward and quite helpful.  That way your eyes are helping your brain break old habits of procrastination. You can stick these little helpers anywhere: inside the medicine cabinet, on the front door, in a kitchen drawer, on the toilet seat lid!  Avoid double handling and catch yourself thinking “I’ll do this later.”  Later seldom comes. As Zig Ziglar says, “Put all your excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable.”