Organizing

General Tips For Growing Families

•  Emphasize self-sufficiency.  Once a child learns to read fluently and master his or her math facts, your child will be remarkably independent.  The most successful homeschooling households emphasize self-sufficiency as a complete lifestyle though.  Training children to make their own beds and be in charge of their own spaces, get dressed on their own, take care of their own hygiene responsibly, and even feed themselves in a healthy manner are some more key signs of self-sufficiency. Children who accomplish these tasks reliably at an early age free up quality family time for snuggling more, playing games together, and so forth.  If Mommy doesn't have to run after children with a dustbuster, life is much better for everyone.  Children develop a work ethic and a sense of accomplishment to boot.
• How to Emphasize Independence:  In our house, we try our hardest to set a series of tiny milestones leading to these ultimate goals, and we train our children at a young age to do many tasks on their own.  This takes patience, time and perseverance, but just like investing for the long-haul, this method pays off dividends.  I have seen 3 toddlers now who can potty on their own, make their own beds and take care of their own clothes, and be loving and caring to siblings and helpful to Mom and Dad.  Be cautious about assuming any task is mastered, especially one like self-pottying or brushing teeth!  Maria Montessori had many useful applicable tips. First, teach your child the new task using three steps: you should show the child how to do it, then help the child do it, then have the child do it on their own.  Use the buddy system to assign older siblings to help younger siblings.  Then, when able, adjust tools or methods to keep little hands and short stature in mind.  For example, with making beds we simplify the bedding so it is easy to pull up and smooth out in the morning, and we graduate our toddlers from a crib to a twin bed that is on the floor, not on a frame. This allows even very young children to get in and out of bed that in turns allows them to self-potty earlier and make their own beds with ease. Another major area is laundry and dressing. Our children can put laundry away easily since their closets have low-hanging bars and cubbies, and folding is minimized for only leggings (shirts and dresses are hung, undies and socks go in cubbies, skirts are in stacks). This method also means their clothes are still wrinkle-free and presentable. 
•  Within reason, never presume a child is too young to learn.  This means you are always in the "presenting" mode.  Whether you are using the toilet in front of your 9 month old baby, or chopping onions to saute in front of your preschooler, you should be teaching by talking and demonstrating- EVERY TIME.  Gentle repetition is the key.  You would be amazed at what children soak in, especially if you can envision a time in the near future where they may be able to do the task themselves, or if they had to for some emergent reason. 
• Organize your homeschool for success so items are easily accessible.  The number one key to an organized, decluttered home is store everything at it's most convenient location without being slovenly.  No joke.  Don't bother putting the three hole punch where you can never reach it without a ladder, because then you will never use it and it's just collecting dust.