Disorganised mum

It's no real secret that I'm not the most organised of people. I get by; my son gets to school every day, the house is relatively clean (just rather untidy,) the kids have proper meals, the bills get paid and we're all generally pretty happy.  

And I do have a diary. I'm not sure how anybody with kids gets by without a diary or calender at the very least. My brain retains just a fraction of the information that it did prior to giving birth and as the children get older there seem to be more and more crucial dates that if not noted down almost immediately would instantly be forgotten. So I'm not completely useless and we usually manage to turn up to dental appointments/ birthday parties/ school stuff at the correct (ish) time. 

When it comes to the day to day matter of running a household though, I tend to do things on the fly or at the last minute. Meals often get planned and shopped for on the day they get eaten, clothes get ironed just before we get dressed, bags get packed on the way out of the door. Days out are often spontaneous and holidays are booked a few weeks in advance. Fortunately, I'm not in a position where things have to be planned with military precision as I thrive on a certain level of flexibility, or rather chaos. But let's face it, I could do with pulling my socks up a bit. It's not all relaxed spontaneity, it's a good part sheer laziness on my part. 

So tonight I tried something different. I've laid out clothes, shined shoes, packed the school bag, loaded the buggy for tomorrow, written a short-term to do list, meal planned for the next few days, actually consulted the diary to see what the week ahead holds in store and all those other things that loads of mums manage to do every night of the week. I haven't gone as far as to set the table for breakfast in the morning, but who knows what lies ahead. I might even make myself a cleaning schedule. 

So what about you? What are your household organisation top tips? Do you change your bed linen on a set day of the week? Is anybody else as lazy as me?

Comments

[Caroline]

I'm a typical Virgo, I'm afraid - scarily organised. I crack up if I haven't got at least one list on the go!!

[Muddling Along Mummy]

I'm trying to be more organised the night before - mornings chez Muddling are hectic, I am on the early shift so tend to get up and sprint out the door leaving Mr in charge which can mean returning to chaos

p.s. tagged you over at mine ... http://www.muddlingalongmummy.com/2010/04/happiness-is.html

[Metropolitan Mum]

I'd like to think of myself as a fairly organised person. But that might be self-dilusion at its best :)
I have a diary on my computer that I always forget to sync with my iPod (i.e. not helpful as soon as you leave the house) and I think there might be a paper diary somewhere else floating around the house. Oh, I just realised it's 2010 already. Forget about the 2009 paper version then...

[Jo]

@Caroline Yep, I knew that from reading your blog and I'm totally in awe of your organisational skills. Fancy being a life coach?

@Muddling Along Mummy Oh yes, if there is one person who makes me feel super organised then it is my husband. I'm not sure my son would get to school before lunch time if he were left in charge. Thanks for the tag :)

@Metropolitan Mum Ha! You sound exactly like me when it comes to synching the laptop and i-phone. When I do eventually get around to doing it I discover all my plans clash!

[Kelly]

I tend to be organised and I usually have all of Piran's things together. However, I forget my stuff ALL THE TIME. Today it was my coat, brrr!

The best tip I was given was with my baby bag (perhaps not relevant but the concept is a good one) - to replace whatever you have used when you get home so the bag is always ready at any time of day.