On Being Organized

Written by Allie @ The Purposeful Housewife, Contributing Writer

*Please meet Allie, she’s a new contributor here. I hope you’ll leave a comment on how you relate to organization.

Over the past year, I have had to become a more organized person. When you have three kids in three years, a marriage and household to run, you sort of get forced into things that don’t always match your personality. I’ve had to stop whining and just accept that my life calls for some organization. I started making “rules” for myself like no more going to bed without doing a thirty minute clean up, not letting the kids go to bed until they’ve picked up their toys, and wiping the counters and kitchen floor after every meal. It just helps keep things running somewhat smoothly.

There are so many parts of life and motherhood that are unpredictable and chaotic, so having at least something going along in a rhythm can take a huge load off when a stressful day comes around. But then, sometimes I do all I can and still run late, forget something important, or miss an appointment. For example: this morning I had my first Bible study at a new church we joined. So last night, I packed my purse, laid out everybody’s clothes and shoes, picked up the house, set my alarm, and went to bed.

This morning I made breakfast, cleaned up, and got myself and everyone dressed. In between those things, my oldest decided it would be a good time to go exploring in the backyard and get covered in dirt, my middle child felt breakfast wasn’t enough food and took about twelve things out of the pantry and left them on the kitchen floor, and my youngest pooped twice. This is why, when I got everyone buckled and I climbed in the driver’s seat, the clock read 8:45 and it started at 9:00, and was twenty minutes from my house.

I took a deep breath, tried not to yell as I broke up fights between my kids while I drove, and just got there. I got a parking spot right up front, which I thought was weird since I was late, and checked my kids into the childcare. The nice lady working there mentioned how “on it” I am for being early with so many kids. Yeah… Bible study started at 9:30, not 9:00. The upside is, I was early. The downside is, I had just rushed my very pregnant self all over my house trying to be on time when I actually had an extra thirty minutes.

And so goes life with children. I may do what I can to keep it all together, be organized, and manage my family well, but kids are dirty and messy and chaotic, and so is life with them. But you know? A little chaos never hurt anyone, and I think that’s what makes this whole journey fun. Maybe it’s just all about balance. So today I laugh at my morning and am thankful that I was early rather than late, and I let go of my need to have it all together and enjoy these sweet days with my little ones, because soon it will be all too easy for me to stay organized and have a nice, quiet house.