I’ve never truly thought of myself as an organized mom. “We’re just scraping by,” I often lament, like when I accidentally dropped my daughter off at a birthday gathering a full thirty minutes late because I misread the time in my calendar. So, when I come across articles titled “12 Habits of Organized Moms,” I often feel like I’m punishing myself, a form of self-reproach for not measuring up to the other parents who seem to have everything in order.
To my surprise, I discovered that I actually do many of the things listed in those articles. Could it be that I am, in fact, somewhat of an organized mom? If that’s true, then why do I still feel overwhelmed? Here’s a breakdown of those tips:
- Utilize Your Smartphone for Organization
I genuinely try! I keep both my kids’ and my schedules on a Google calendar that syncs with my iPhone. I set reminders and check it regularly—but I still mess up the times sometimes, hence the late party drop-off. - Avoid Using Your Phone as a Source of Entertainment
Is not having games on my phone a sign of being organized? I think that’s a stretch! - Handle Mail Immediately, Both Snail and Email
I seem to manage this well. Junk mail goes straight into the trash, and I often pay online bills right away. My email responses can be a bit too quick, though—sometimes leading to a flurry of follow-up emails because I sent something prematurely. - Meal Planning
While I don’t cook, having a loose meal plan would certainly help my partner. He often approaches me at 6:45 PM, after the kids have eaten, asking, “Any thoughts on dinner?” Until I learn to cook, I can’t complain much. I simply suggest getting Thai food instead. - Stay on Top of Laundry
We manage our own laundry well, but kids seem to wear ten times more clothes than we do. My son often runs out of suitable pants for gym class or my daughter lacks clean pajamas. Total fail. - Schedule Doctor’s Appointments for Early Mornings
I’ve been doing this for years without realizing it was a strategy. Score! - Wake Up 20 Minutes Before the Family
I do this, and it really helps. By the time the kids come down for breakfast, I’ve showered, dressed, and made coffee. Totally worth the slight loss of sleep. - Prepare Kids’ School Items the Night Before
I encourage them to do this, thinking it instills good habits. Truthfully, it’s just easier for me. Still, it works! - Organize Your Own Stuff the Night Before
Where’s the fun in that? - Book Sitters as Soon as You Know You Need Them
I’m all over this. I maintain a list of reliable sitters, from first-choice to last resort. - Ensure Devices are Charged
I do this too. Chargers are everywhere, and I always check battery levels. I’m trying to teach my son that 13 percent battery is not acceptable. - Use Autopay When Possible
I confess that autopay makes me uneasy. I only have it set for our mortgage and car payment, as missing those would be a disaster. Otherwise, I prefer keeping an eye on my bank account.
Despite following these organizational tips, I still forgot to send my daughter’s Brownie vest to school for her last meeting. Why do these strategies not seem to help me? Any thoughts?
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Summary
In exploring the habits of organized moms, the author reflects on her own attempts at organization and why they may not be enough to keep her family running smoothly. From managing schedules to meal planning, she finds herself struggling despite following best practices. Ultimately, she questions the effectiveness of these tips in her busy life, highlighting the challenges many parents face.