Top tips for organising the family

Do you feel exhausted at the end of the week, only to discover that the house is a mess, you’ve missed your son’s soccer practice three times in a row and you haven’t spent any time with your partner?

Life can feel like it moves at a hectic pace with work, extracurricular activities and everything else it chooses to throw at you. But with a few simple tips on organizing your family, you can move towards a more organized family life.

Make time

“Modern day working, studying and extra-curricular schedules can create havoc on family meal times,” says Mandy dos Santos, Cenovis Home Economist. “Each family is different and finding what works best for your family is what matters.”

Keep a calendar. As well as noting your scheduled family mealtime and your errands and appointments in one place, this can also be the place where you plan for your weekend family outings, a night out with your spouse, or one-on-one time with each of your children.

Make sure you start the day right too. "Be sure you are allowing enough time in the morning for everyone to get ready at their own pace so that there isn't rush and panic," says Julie Morgenstern, a professional organiser.

After all- children just want to spend time with their parents. An unscheduled trip to the park, an impromptu game of backyard cricket or time making arts and craft will create fond memories, and give you precious bonding time. Don’t get so caught up in having a routine that your forget the fun!

Turn off technology

Watching TV is entertaining, but it doesn’t foster any family togetherness or interaction – and technology, like iPads or iPhones and computers can really eat into your ‘together’ time – whether that’s family meal times, a car trip or just nights at home.
“If your family does have a habit of watching television or phones and iPads, it’s best to slowly wean them off. Start by introducing a couple of ‘no TV or technology’ nights and if need be, allow one set night for a specific TV show,” says Dr Libby.
Instead, play board games, help with homework or find other ways to spend the night other than slumped in front of the TV.

Get relaxed about housework

"If you have high standards, you will work all the time," says ,” says psychologist Bruce A. Baldwin, Ph.D. "Then you will be resentful because your emotional needs haven't been met, since you've been working all the time. The people around you will suffer because you are stressed."

Having said that, getting the whole household to participate in housework can not only get it down faster, but get your family working as a team! Give the kids pocket money for cleaning the bathroom, emptying the dishwasher or helping to hang out the clothes. Get them to work in teams to clean their bedrooms or water the plants outside.

Find time for YOU

You can often spend so much time looking after the family that it’s easy to forget what it was like when it was just the two of you. If you’re feeling like this, then you’re not alone.

“The transition from two to three is one of the most profound challenges a couple will ever face,” writes couples therapist Esther Perel in “Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic and the Domestic.” “For a while, there seems to be less for the couple: Less time, less communication, less sleep, less money, less privacy.”

This can be as simple as a dinner and movie at home, getting a babysitter for the night or finding time to exercise together such as playing tennis, or going on a holiday that has a child care service in the resort.