Quick tips for organization...the busy parent's godsend

This month, I've been digging into the terrifying world of...wait for it...home organization! Now, don't get me wrong. I keep a pretty neat and tidy house. I know where a lot of stuff is. I mean, I know where most of it is. 


But I know I could do better. Not only that, but getting my home organization under control could even give me more time to do other things (like playing with my cute kiddos!).


So, where to start? Amy Bolder of Simplicity Professional Organizing says, to get started with home organization, "Give yourself a clear timeframe to work within, stay in your chosen zone, and work within micro zones with that area until each area is complete."


Well, in the interest of getting jumpstarted, in this week's blog, I looked at three problem zones: The kitchen, the closet, and the home office. Deep breath...


The Kitchen...Not so long ago, at a get-together for some friends, two local moms, Laynie Travis and Betty Ann Walker, shared some tips for getting organized quick, starting in the kitchen. These simple tips included...


- Putting baskets in drawers for sorting utensils.
- Using glass bins for sugar and flour.
- Keeping containers for utensils by the stove.
- Making up a basket for kids for easy to grab snacks.


No, it's not rocket science exactly, but I've started implementing several of these, and it does make a difference. Surprise, surprise. And sometimes, it just takes a small victory to keep going, right? So, that led me to the next spot...


The Closet...When it comes to this problem zone, Becky Marple of Bee Neat Professional Organizing said it's important to first get rid of things you don't need. "If this is difficult," she added, "either recruit a family member or friend who will help 'encourage you along' in the process."


Fellow moms Travis and Walker had these tips to add for closet organization...
- Use all the same hangers (this is a big violation for me...I'm terrible about just keeping the store hangars!)
- Set time to clean out your closet quarterly so it doesn't become overwhelming.
- Keep baskets for laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, donating, and delicates.


"If you don't use it or wear it, let it go!" said Amber Austin of Dwelling Place Organizing. Also, she recommended storing items as close to where you use them as possible, making it easier to put them away.


Home office...I don't really have an "office," per se. I have a computer desk with all my work files, a filing cabinet upstairs, a bulletin board in the laundry room where I keep a calendar, and a dry-erase board with a "running" shopping list in the kitchen. I've found that even though my life isn't confined to one office, this is what works for me. In addition to these things, Travis and Walker also recommended a basket for filing (which I've added).


While you may not find these tips earth shattering, when you start doing simple things that it make it easier to find what you need, put things away, and keep on schedule, you do begin to climb a mountain one step at a time.


And that means I'm excited. I'm excited to keep going. Because I do see how making small changes can be a huge stress reliever. That doesn't mean I've got this home organization thing conquered. Not by a long shot. But it's a start.


Just remember, asking for help isn't a bad thing. And that's why, next week, I'll be talking one last time to my local home organization professionals to find out why I may, one day, ask for an experienced hand!

Digging in...your "can do" plan for home organization this spring

Well, I knew I was in for some guilt when I started the topic of home organization this month. My closets? Ugh. My kitchen cabinets? Double ugh. The house in general? It looks nice if you don't open anything or look under tables and chairs.


But since I've been having to go on search-and-rescue expeditions lately--you know, for missing socks, toys, favorite teddy bears, favorite purses, kitchen spatulas, etc., etc.--I thought it might be time to find out what this "home organization" business is all about, and why I might be interested in getting down and dirty with a labeler, a container, and my closet.


Shiver.


Well, I had the pleasure of speaking with not one, but three local professionals to get an idea of how one might start a home organization project and why it might be worth it. So check it out. Here are several ways to self-start your inner organizer.


Pick a zone. "Feeling overwhelmed is the most common reason I hear from clients as to why they haven't started the task at hand,” said Amy Bolder, owner of Simplicity Professional Organizing. She said settling on a place to start is a great first step. But instead of breaking your home organization into a series of mini projects, a person should think about home organization as one project and plan simple steps to reach that end goal.

“See the zone as a big artist pallet and remember the picture is created one stroke at a time, color by color, until completion,” she told me.


Make a plan. Like any well thought out project, home organization should start with a well-ordered list. Here's a great one from Becky Marple, owner of Bee Neat Professional Organizing:

1. Write down everything you would like to tackle.

2. Decide on which project you will start on. (Similar to "Pick a zone" above.)

3. Schedule an appointment with yourself! (Put it in your calendar, arrange childcare, etc.)

4. Start early in the day, turn on your favorite music, and only--ONLY--concentrate on that one task for the day. Do not allow yourself to be pulled into another room!
Hmmm, good to know. That would save me from ending up in the kitchen when I'm supposed to be working on the closet, tackling the "Leaning Tower of Tupperware" for the fiftieth time...


Finally,


Choose wisely. Amber Austin of Dwelling Place Organizing recommends starting small and/or choosing a "difference maker." She says that a person should "choose an area to tackle that will get you off on the right foot and motivate you to keep going." She said it should be fairly small with defined boundaries, such as an entry closet, dresser, or even a neglected corner of the master bedroom. Or you can choose a "difference maker,"  which is the room in your house causing you the most stress.


Why go to the trouble of organizing? Well, at the end of the day, all three women asserted that we have more time to do the things we want to do when we don’t spend time hunting for things and buying things we already have. Being organized gives us more time for our relationships, more time to be healthy, and more time to be the type of parents we want to be.


Stay tuned next week for some quick tips on that kitchen and closet!

Home organization...make a fresh start this spring (cleaning)

My home is generally acceptable. It is not overly messy; it is not overly perfect (is there such a thing?). It is not particularly dirty, nor would I eat a meal off its floors.

I can find most of the things I need. Generally. I mean, it takes me a normal amount of time to dig through the clutter.

Okay, okay. So I could be a little more organized.

And it's this time of year, when I'm putting sweaters away (or, at least dreaming about it--what is with this winter?), that I think, "Gosh golly, I'd sure like to walk into my kitchen/closet/etc. and find exactly what I need." I'd like my Tupperware not to explode out of the cabinet when I open it, or not to find a shirt three years later tucked behind all those other shirts. I'd like to spend less time searching for my black pumps and looking through the pantry for the sugar.

That would be so, so great.

Well, here's the thing. Those things are completely possible...I just need a little "home organization" in my life.

In the spirit of spring cleaning (and the hope for warmer weather in which to accomplish it), I am going to ask some local professionals to help you and me answer our questions about getting started on home organization. I'm also hoping to dig up some simple tips to jumpstart the process and learn what kind of services can help us if we end up in a pile of mismatched socks and have to send out a SOS signal (as in, "save our sanity"). Three local businesses, including BeeNeat Professional Organizing, Dwelling Place Organizing, and Simplicity Professional Organizing, have agreed to weigh in.

Home organization and why it's important...on March 13, I will be doling out tips (via my professionals) on how to even contemplate the process of getting your house under organizational control and how it can help with stress and time management. Hopefully, just beginning the process will wet your appetite for more, which means, by summer, we will all have bins of clothes numbered and labeled by season. Right? Well, one can dream...

Quick tips...on March 20, I will give you a few quick and dirty tips for several problem areas in your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, and the closet. A little scary to think I might have to take on the five-year-old makeup in the back of the bathroom cabinet. Or the overfilled "party" cabinet in the kitchen. Or that pile of clothes that I've been trying to fit back into for the past three years. Sigh.

The benefit of professionals...and finally, on March 27, when you and I have both decided to throw in the towel (or the twenty that sit on the shelf of my linen closet), I will feature the many awesome ways that a professional home organizer can come in and take charge, giving you and your exhausted cabinets a much needed break.

So make sure to check in regularly. (You can also follow on facebook.) Because when the summer comes, I want to be ready to relax. You know, as much as us parents can!

The price of pain - A parent's guide to preventing sports' injury

Once upon a time, I was a figure skater. But these days, the only triple Salchow I perform is getting three kinds of milk for three different kids (well, two kids and a husband). And I miss spending day after day on the ice--I really do! But there's something I don't' miss about it.


A persnickety ankle.


Now, every once in a while, when I've gone on a particularly long run, that ankle will ache, but it's not the same as the chronic injury that plagued most of my skating career. And when I think back to all the skating, training, and eventually coaching that I used to do in one week, I sometimes wonder...


Was I overdoing it...just a bit?


That's a tough question to answer in a society that believes practices makes perfect, because wouldn't that mean that more practice makes more perfect? We overdo, overbuy, overstep, overeat, and maybe, just maybe, push ourselves (and eventually, perhaps our kiddos) a little too hard.


"What?" you ask. "Do you expect me to tell my kids to lie around on the couch so they never get hurt?"


Don't be silly. Sports are awesome. Sports will develop coordination, strength, teamwork, flexibility, (deep breath), perseverance, confidence, etc., etc., etc.


And working hard is a must. Believe me, five-thousand hip bruises later, I know what it takes to master something, to become stronger. But when it comes to your child, you are the best person to keep tabs on his or her well-being. Sports professionals are fantastic, and great for getting advice, but you are the person who knows your child best.


Keeping that in mind, here are two types of injuries to consider and some effective ways for preventing and handling them.


Accidental (or acute) injury - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers three steps for preventing this type of injury: 1) Gear up, 2) Use the right stuff, and 3) Pay attention to temperature. This means that it's your responsibility to know what type of safety gear is needed, to ensure gear is up-to-date (not broken or the wrong size), and to do things like keeping kids bundled up in the cold and hydrated no matter the temperature. Yes, that's a hefty list, but it may save you a trip to the emergency room.


And keep an eye on your child's energy level, says Yolanda Thomas, Director of the Lil' Kickers program at SoccerCity in Oklahoma City. "Many injuries are caused by fatigue," she warns.


Chronic injury - The other type of injury, the one I was whining about, is chronic. Basically, these type of injuries are often caused by overuse. On its list of preventing sports injury, the CDC does say "practice makes perfect," and despite my concerns with the phrase, they explain it this way: "Have children practice proper form – this can prevent injuries during baseball, softball, and many other activities. Also, be sure to safely and slowly increase activities to improve physical fitness; being in good condition can protect kids from injury."


Jackie Brenner, Skating Director at Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Edmond, says that professionals can help you understand the risk of chronic injury. In skating, making sure muscles are balanced, as well as stretching out the other direction (especially in a somewhat one-sided sport like figure skating), is critical to the body's health.


And finally, don't be afraid for your kid to take a small break or even try something different for a little while. Any type of sport will lead to better conditioning for all athletic activities, and at the end of the day, teaching a child the importance and satisfaction of a lifetime of physical activity is more important than a few more trophies on the shelf.

Pushing your kids--how much is too much? Three signs that you're turning into THAT parent

This month, in honor of the Olympics, I've been chatting about getting those kiddos into sports at a young age. And based on the information I found out last week, some sports (think gymnastics and soccer) are great outlets for the little ones, as long as the activity is done in moderation and with a whole bunch of fun.


But it doesn't take much for a mom or dad with good intentions to become competitive on their children's behalf, and even though we know we need to stay on top of those kids (I mean, kids have it pretty swell these days, hey? An IPhone at four, right?) to keep them from becoming entitled lazy heads, it's easy to go the other way and cross a few lines that might make us more of a "Dance Mom" than our kids' best advocates.


I talked to several coaches who work with a variety of levels and ages in their respective sports programs, and here's a few signs that you may be turning into someone that makes other people shake their heads and click their tongues. Come on, you know what I'm talking about! You've seen those parents too!


1. Your kid doesn't want to go. When I talked to certain program directors, burn out was one of the biggest signs that a kid may be overdoing it. Jackie Brenner, Director of Figure Skating at Arctic Edge in Edmond, says a parent may be pushing too hard "when your child isn't having fun and doesn't want to practice anymore." She says it's okay to seek out a professional to understand the appropriate practice amount for your child's age and level.


At Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, owner Steve Hoehner strongly recommends that parents place preschoolers in the program only one day a week. "You have to remember that a child's mind is different from a parent's mind. We think more is better. But confidence will go out the window if a kid is pushed too far, too soon."


2. You're thinking too much about the future. Olympic medals? Major league sports opportunities? College scholarships? If you've put your kid in a sport for any of the above reasons, you may need to adjust your attitude, or your child may hate the very thing you're hoping will bring  him or her success. Yolanda Thomas, Director of the Lil' Kickers program at SoccerCity, says parents should ask themselves this: "Why am I putting my kid in this?" If it's to build confidence, strength, coordination, and skills, then great. If the parent did the sport and wants to share it with  his or her child, that's also a good reason, but remember this: "Children learn while they're having fun," says Thomas.


3. Your kid is starting to deal with injuries. The problem with setting expectations too high and scheduling too much practice? Chronic injuries from overuse or accidental injures from exhaustion. The consensus from all the sports directors was that a parent who has the wrong focus will push a kid too far, and this could result in injury.


But on the other side of that are those kids who push themselves, who need you to be the one to keep them from burning out or hurting themselves, both of which will lead to the worst outcome: inactivity. And if there's any question, schedule a doctor's visit right away, says Chris Berry, Associate Executive at the Edmond YMCA. A medical professional can help you pinpoint what may be causing an injury and how to prevent it without forcing your child to give up something he or she enjoys doing.


So don't be the type of parent a reality series would love to showcase. We all know what we think of them. Be the type of parents who look out for their kids, and if those kids do make it to the top of their sport, they'll be able to say "Thanks" for all the right reasons.

Solving the energy crisis - Finding the right sport for your munchkin!

Have you ever witnessed a toddler trying to complete a forward somersault? Or a cartwheel? Have you ever watched a herd of little people chase a soccer ball, or seen a kid smack a plastic bat into a baseball tee?


Oh yeah, it's pretty funny.


These days we have the opportunity to see kids try their hands at sports earlier than ever, with many programs opening up to children as early as 18 months of age. For a parent who's still trying to get rid of bottles, pacifiers, and the high chair, the thought of starting a child in sports may be the last thing on your mind. However, with winter keeping those hyper kids cooped up, you may have also decided it's time for an energy outlet.


In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, and our society's crazy obsession with all things "athlete," I decided to lean on some local experts to discover which sports are suitable for the youngest of children, and why a parent might be persuaded to pay the cost of getting junior in a program that  just organizes activities a kid does already. What I found is that Edmond has a lot to offer on the small fry scale, and that parents who start their children early in sports have nothing to be ashamed of.


Gymnastics. If your looking for a strong foundation of flexibility, coordination, and strength, gymnastics is a great start. Enter Edmond's Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, owned by Steve Hoehner. Their toddler gym looks so fun, I'd like to play in it. "We help kids learn the fundamentals without them knowing it," said Hoehner, who added that sports programs for kids 5 and under should focus on having fun while learning. He said he designed a curriculum at Oklahoma Gold for kids 18 months to 5 years of age that emphasizes developing motor skills while having a great time.


Ice Skating. Another sport that develops flexibility and coordination, as well as muscles that support bilateral motion, is ice skating (popular now for obvious reasons--you know, the Olympics and all!). Although kids generally start this a little later (ages 3 to 4), Jackie Brenner, Director of Figure Skating at Arctic Edge in Edmond, says that the earlier kids start, the more comfortable they are and the easier it is, as their center of gravity is lower. She also emphasized that programs for young ages should build foundations while a child is having fun (by the way, I heard that word--fun--a lot).


Soccer. Another sport that emphasizes early coordination is soccer. In addition, the sport also concentrates on learning teamwork, which helps with social skills, says Yolanda Thomas, Lil Kickers Program Director at SoccerCity, an indoor facility in northwest Oklahoma City. "We start children in the program as early as 18 months, and focus quite a bit on balance and coordination, all in a fun-filled environment." Thomas adds that in the parent-and-me classes (for children 18 months to 3 years), parents will not only expend energy (like their kiddos), but will also find that they get to enjoy playing with their children as well.


T-Ball/Basketball/Flag football. Finally, kids can benefit from sports such at T-ball from age 3, basketball from age 4, and flag football from age 5 at the Edmond's YMCA. These types of sports help children develop relationships with other kids as well as a healthy understanding of competition as they continue through the program. Again, it's all about letting kids have fun while they discover these sports, says Chris Berry, Associate Executive at the Edmond YMCA.


And of course, swimming. According to Infant Swimming Resource, the best way to keep children safe from drowning is training them to handle themselves in the water. Several facilities, including the YMCA and The Key Health Institute of Edmond, offer swimming lessons, and even if a child never continues with the sport, he or she will have a lifetime of confidence and safety with the knowledge of swimming. And it is an activity people can do their whole lives.


I'm sure there are more sports out there for little ones, but the programs I did find and the people I talked to who run them certainly convinced me that Edmond has plenty to offer in the way of positive early athletic programs. So don't be counting any gold medals or college scholarships yet, but do get those kiddies active.  Because that's a habit they can keep for a lifetime.

It's the Olympics! Cue the music...and remember your kid is just that--a kid!

The other day, I experienced my first round of silly parent competitiveness. My preschool daughter's gymnastics class was divided in half. Half went up; half went down. When my daughter didn't move up at first, that little voice inside me went, "Whaaaa?" But then my toddler son began attacking the soda machine, and I had to put my outrage aside while tiny hands were extracted from the dispenser.

And by the time I managed that, I remembered something.

That's right. My daughter is a little girl. Not Gabby Douglas. Not Shannon Miller. Just a little girl having so much fun, that no big bad mama in yoga pants needed to come ruin it.

This is an easy time to get caught up in the competitive nature of sports. Not only did we just have another Super Bowl (Hello? Broncos? Was anyone home? Where did my team go?), but the opening ceremonies, gold medals, and thrill of competition are right in our faces with the Winter Olympics. And it's awesome to cheer for the home team. It totally, totally is.

As long as we keep competition where it should be.

When it comes to our kids, healthy competition can be a good thing. But too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing, and when those kids are itty bitty, your best intentions can lead to frustration, inactivity, and just plain no fun. In light of that revelation, I decided to take on several topics for this month, ones that hit home with a former competitor like myself.

What are the best sports for little kids? I sought out several local experts in different sports disciplines for this one, and I'm just going to tell you that it doesn't take much beside a great attitude and an emphasis on learning while having FUN for your kid to get psyched about sports. Some sports are difficult to play at ages 3 and 4 (think football and volleyball), but others are just a step up from what kids love to do anyway (think gymnastics and soccer). See more on this topic February 13.

Pushing your kids--how much is too much? My attitude mentioned above was a surprise to me. I've always thought I'd be such a good parent when it came to my kids doing sports, simply because I used to skate competitively as well as coach, and I know how crazy parents can be. Little did I know how hard it is too tame that mama bear, and how deciding what's best for your kid and deciding what's best for her sports career are two vastly different things. See more on this February 20.

Preventing injury--how can you be an aware parent? Overuse can be the leading cause of injury in so many sports, simply because we live in a society where more seems to be better. Tuning this philosophy out isn't always easy, but it can be critical for the health and mental well-being of your child. So keeping your finger on your child's physical and mental health, especially when participating in sports, is not only helpful, but crucial to your role as a parent. More on this February 27.

So I hope you tune in this month, especially if you want to be the type of parent who helps your kid not only succeed in sports, but also enjoy them. Because at the end of the day, if your kids are headed for the big time, they ought to be able to do it with a smile on their faces.