Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall

I've learned a new skill now. I'm able to keep it "sanitary" and fairly organized. I've had to override my instincts and settle for "better" instead of "perfect". It makes me a more fun mom and THAT had to be the priority.
Kris

I too, concentrate on cleanliness rather than neatness. But I am one of those people who is agitated and stressed out by clutter and mess. So we follow a similar pattern to the person who posted regarding pick up times, family responsibility for messes, putting things away before getting them out, and bed-time cleanup.

I also, being an organizer, have a tendancy to try to organize things so that they are easier to keep neat. We have a rack for keys, a basket for incoming mail, a low rack for kids coats, etc. In the kids' rooms, we have clear plastic bins, marked with labels that have names and pictures drawn on them, like "people", "vehicles", "blocks", "animals", etc and the kids know what goes where and can line the bins up on the the floor and get things put away.

Nanci K.

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Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall

>Try keeping seven kids accountable for their messes! My pet peeve is "i didn't use it" or "well, it's not mine so I'm not putting it away". Some days are better than others.
>Johanna

I usually respond, "Well how would it be if I only cleaned up and looked after myself? Besides, we are part of a family, and families help each other take care of our home and each other." I try to point out to the kids on occassion when I am helping them with something that is NOT my mess or whatever, usually shortly after I have gotten the "IT's not mine/I didn't do it" line.

Nanci K.

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Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall

Do you by any chance have a lodger called *Mr Nobody*. Because if
you do, it seems he does all the naughty things. He used to live at
our house!
Marianne

We have a thrid child called Notme apparently.

Nanci K.


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<<We have a rack for keys, a basket for incoming mail, a low rack for
kids coats, etc. In the kids' rooms, we have clear plastic bins, marked
with labels that have names and pictures drawn on them, like "people",
"vehicles", "blocks", "animals", etc and the kids know what goes where
and can line the bins up on the the floor and get things put away.

Nanci K.>>

One of the best tools I've discovered for our house are those little
plastic shoe boxes. I can find them for as low as $.50 a piece and then
I buy a LOT. Everytime the kids get a new toy set I pull one of them out
and as soon as they are done playing with it we throw it in the box.
They are clear so the kids can see where the set is. They work for my
stuff too.

If someone wants to know the real me, they can look in my closet.
Everything from "kid reach" up is SUPER organized. Alas, it is the only
evidence of my TRUE preference.

Kris
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