Expert: Jan Hayner - 11/16/2007

Question
I have a 4500 sq. ft. home and have a disability.  I have two children, one who also has health problems and my husband is gone working almost always and hasn't had the opportunity to help with the house.  Our home is getting worse and worse with items that are never put away and I feel overwhelmed especially since when I find a little energy and organize but it is back to being unorganized as soon as I turn around.  I don't know how to find the energy to organize cuz of my disability but I also can't seem to get my kids to help.  Nagging is ruining our relationship and it is also tiring.  I don't know how to get a handle on it.

Answer
Hi Cynthia;
I believe your overwhelmed! A 4500 sq ft house is not a picnic to take care of. Mine is 2000 sq ft. and it can get to me.

I wish that you would have told me what type of disability you have, my answer could be a lot more exact for you. I will give you some ideas though that I think will help you get control.

It sounds like you have more of a clutter problem at this point, compounded with the fact that you don't have a place for everything to go to (home) so it is out of the way. You take that along with the fact that no one puts anything back where it belongs and YES, IT IS A PROBLEM that can get out of hand.

Okay, then let's start to fix it!

1. Go through your home and get rid of all of the clutter things lying around. Things that aren't used very often and that take up space. For the time being, find a place that you would like to store them (a home), and put them in that space. If there are enough 'like' items, put them all in a box so they are together.

2. Now is when we get the kids to help. Yes, they WILL help if you make it fun. Kids hate to 'work', but they do like to play 'games'! So, you turn everything that you do into a game, with time limits, rules, rewards etc. I have a number of them on my website at Home Organizing and Cleaning, http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com Please go there and you will get a good idea of what I mean.

3. Since you have a problem with getting tired easily, you need to set limits for yourself as well. You do this by setting 10 minute projects to start out with. Set a kitchen timer (you will need this for the kids games too) and clean out a drawer, pick up the clutter in a room, organize a dresser drawer, get rid of outdated medicines, straighten the towels in the linen closet etc. You will be surprised at how fast things will start to take shape and look better.

4.Don't get overwhelmed! Remember that it didn't get this way overnight and it isn't going to go away that fast either. You are taking baby steps now to reach your goal.

5. Make a list of every room in the house and the things in each room that are driving you crazy, with the worst thing being in the number one position. Only work on one room at a time, so that you have a home for everything, have thrown out what you don't use, found  a home for the things that you use etc.

6. Always remember to store things that you use all of the time in the room (or near it) that you use it in most often.
It takes less steps to put it back and is handy when you want it.

7. Start out by organizing your home using boxes, 'bankers boxes', work great (cardboard boxes from walmart) and they are strong. This way you get an idea of the amount of storage space that you need for items and can later purchase Rubbermaid containers to match the size you need.

8. Get rid of things that you don't use -donate them, give them to a friend, sell them or throw them in the garbage. It will give you extra storage space and more open space in your storage areas. (NO clutter)

9. The games that the kids will play will help you to do this pretty fast, they really 'get into' these games. Don't forget, you can do two things at once. Play a game with the kids that is going to help you clean the house and throw the wash in the machine and have it doing it's thing at the same time.

I hope that some of these ideas helped. Remember to take things slow and easy, don't feel guilty for the things that you haven't done yet and have fun with the kids while the work is getting done.

You have no idea how better you will feel, have less stress and feel like you are in control once again.
Happy Organizing and cleaning,
Jan Hayner