Simplify

I've been trying to find ways to "simplify" my life lately. And while I still have a ways to go, I've found a few things recently that are really working for me. My laundry is always an overwhelming task for me each week. I usually do my laundry on Monday. And by the next Monday I have just gotten it folded. So recently I was watching TLC with the kids about the family that has 17 children and 1 on the way. All the sudden my laundry task didn't seem as daunting as what that mother faces each week (20 loads!). But I did notice that everything went from the dryer to a hanger. I hang things occasionally like dresses or dress shirts, but I had never thought about hanging everything except socks and underwear. So I headed to Walmart and stocked up on kids sized hangers and was ready when my next laundry day came around. I seriously can't tell you the last time I did laundry and had it all put away on the same day...much less multiple loads. I was so thrilled! I hang up all the clothes right out of the dryer. Then I throw underwear, socks and jammies back into the basket. It only took me a couple minutes to fold those. The kids were thrilled that they only had to put away a few things and I felt almost overjoyed hanging the rest up in the closet. Not only is my laundry day easier, but the kids don't complain about putting their laundry away, and it is so much easier for them to pick out their school clothes each night.

My laundry room before:


My laundry room after:


Chores are another responsibility I find overwhelming at times. In the summer the kids did really well getting a daily chore done. It seemed easy when we had no time schedule or extra activities going on. Then school started up and the kids almost thought chores weren't a requirement anymore. I've tried multiple chore charts and it seems I can't even keep up with those! So we came up with a new idea that really seems to work. Its called Chore Sticks. I got colored Popsicle sticks and put different chores on them. Some are easy (feed the fish) while others are a little more difficult (clean the bathroom). There are also blank sticks which mean its a free chore day (the kids love those!). Each day at breakfast the kids usually remind me that they have to pick their chore stick. They have all day to finish the chore the picked. I leave the stick out for the week so it is not chosen again. If they choose not to finish their chore that day, it is added to the next days chore and all chores have to be done by Saturday. I feel like this teaches the kids the importance of doing chores, but also allows them to feel like they have a choice in the matter. My kids have been known to swap sticks as well!

Chore Sticks



And finally, Family Home Evening. Sometimes we are really good about this and sometimes we are really bad. This year I got a subscription to the Friend magazine. In the back of the Friend each month it gives 4 FHE ideas that go along with the stories in the magazine. This has been the greatest solution to getting FHE done each week. We can do it as simply as it instructs or we can add to it if time allows. There is usually little or no preparation needed and it goes right along with the lessons being taught in Primary Sharing Time that month. I also feel like these simple ideas have taught me that FHE doesn't have to be a super service, lets do crafts and then make a ton of treats night. Its about getting together, letting our kids talk and express feelings in an intimate family setting. Simple.

The Friend magazine