Organize Your Children (and Maybe Yourself, Too) in 2010
Were you one of those people on January 1st, who looked around the house and pledged to finally get organized this year? Well if so, 30% of America joined you in that resolution. The biggest hurdle to this task is knowing where to start. The second biggest hurdle – getting your spouse and children on-board with your brilliant organizing plans. While this may seem overwhelming, the right plan, equipment, and support can lead to a successful organizing solution that will save you hours of time and frustration in the years to come. It is time to find success in this area of your life, and 2010 is the perfect year to do it!
Since there are numerous areas to organize, let’s start with our most loved – our kids.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is showing them how to be organized. It helps give them responsibility by teaching them how to manage their time, schoolwork, and eventually, their own household. It provides an advantage in the work place, since they will have the ability to identify and achieve goals, meet deadlines, and manage projects effectively. Most importantly, it is far easier for them to learn these behaviors at a younger age than it is as an adult.
The Reality: Getting your children involved around the house is not easy; in fact, many times it is completely infuriating (and no – locking them in their closet along with their toys is not the solution). With the media giving you all these “quick-fix” tips on how to be organized in 15 minutes or less, you run home ready to implement the trick only to be dismayed that it doesn’t work. To add insult to injury, all those wonderful containers you bought for your family are never quite used how you planned, and end up being a dumping ground for anything and everything. In addition, you are a little scared to see just what might be under your child’s bed – last time you looked was 2008, and now there is a strange smell coming from there. Are you completely overwhelmed at this point? Don’t worry; I was that kid who shoved anything under my bed. (Scary, yes – but look at me now! There is hope – though my parents have the gray hairs to show the struggle!) Or maybe you have some good systems in place that just need tweaking. Either way, this is where I can help.
On Saturday, February 20th, Pinky Scout will be hosting two workshops where I will be giving tips and tricks on how to help organize your children and their possessions. I’ll tell you what ideas are great and what ones were obviously designed by someone who never had children and are completely unrealistic. Included in the class, I will be featuring products from the Clever Container line – a new company that sells products designed to get and keep you organized. After the class I will be happy to speak with anyone one-on-one that may have additional questions or a specific problem they need help with. If you want my best advice, bring pictures. And don’t worry – I promise you I have seen worse!
Organize Your Children Workshop
When: Saturday, February 20th; 11 am & 3 pm (see our store calendar)
Where: Pinky Scout boutique. 5 East Main St in Downtown Troy
Cost: Free
Kelly Markley has been working as a professional organizer in her business All This Room for over ten years. During this time, she has built a reputation for dedication and quality, while helping clients achieve peace of mind and order in their lives. She has enjoyed working with a variety of clients, including executives, families, and senior citizens. Her specialties lie in estate management, downsizing, time management, and space organization. Additionally she is a consultant for the company Clever Container.
Kelly has a BA in Marketing from Miami University and was a Director of Purchasing for a large computer company before turning her focus to organizing. She credits both her experience in her previous field; working extensively with clients like Microsoft and Intel, along with her training and education from NAPO and Julie Morgenstern / TASK MASTERS in helping her become a valued organizer. She currently resides in St. Paris with her husband and children.
For more information about the upcoming workshops, contact Kelly at kellymarkley@ctcn.net, or Pinky Scout boutique at 440-1211; email: info@pinkyscout.
