Ordinarily, when we think of organizing, we think of arranging shelves, or purging closets.
  We tend to think of "things" and how they could be better arranged.
  A different, and longer range approach, would be to organize people, and the best place, or "people" with whom to start, would be your children.
  Not only might you achieve a greater level of success, but the success of your efforts will be more long lasting, as well.
  The implications of this methodology could well reach into future generations.
  Here are two suggestions to help you begin to successfully organize your children.
The first and most important goal is to give your children a daily schedule.
  Certainly, many of you are probably already very skilled in laying out for your family the events and activities which will occur during the day.
  But how many of you make this plan visible on a daily basis?  While some children are able to move from activity to activity successfully, some children struggle with this.
  But all children benefit from seeing a physical daily schedule that gets adjusted as unexpected events occur.
  What happens to the schedule, for example, if the washing machine stops working?  Do your children--do you--have a sense of how the rest of your day must be adjusted to accommodate this event?  Or, is your schedule detailed enough?  For example, if you have young children, do they understand that scheduled evening free time is contingent upon meeting earlier obligations?  Or, do older children know that their use of the family car depends upon whether or not they washed it earlier that day or week, in accordance with a scheduled chore? The unexpected and the unanticipated do happen, so it is important to be able to make adjustments accordingly.
With a physical timed to-do list that everyone can see, changes can easily be made, and everyone can remain on track.
The second goal must therefore be to closely monitor the daily plan.
  On the surface, this seems easier than it actually is.
  You may be thinking, "all I need to do is tell them what to do, and when, and everything should be fine.
" However, unless you are watching and monitoring your children throughout their daily routine, they will not accomplish everything on the schedule.
  Even the most compliant, best behaved children need oversight on a daily basis.
  Not only do they need your oversight, but you working alongside your children is necessary.
  For example, during cleanup time after meals, are you in the kitchen, even if you are only wiping down the counters?  Or, if yard work must be done, are you also outside with them, even if only to pick up a few stray branches?  This is a step that you as a parent cannot afford to miss.
  Your children need to see your physical presence, and it gives you the opportunity to view them and keep tabs on not only their level of compliance, but on their attitude.
  Also, these are ideal situations for your children to talk to you about more personal matters.
Children who know what is expected of them, and that someone will be checking up on them, actually have a greater sense of peace and autonomy.
  Oddly, giving children parameters gives them greater freedom; they know where their boundaries are, and they know what their options are.
  By observing these two habits-- maintaining a physical daily schedule, and monitoring it-- you are on your way to creating a more peaceful, better organized, household.
  Physical spaces are much more easily maintained when those who use them are better organized.