Having the right storage compartments is helpful for large families.
For large families, organization is one of the keys to a smoothly run household. Although they have challenging needs, large families do not need to feel overwhelmed. The laundry, kitchen, chores and storage of out-of-season clothing can all be organized through a little effort, planning and consistency.
Laundry
Laundry is one of those never-ending tasks that many people fret about. With some careful planning and consistency, however, even large families can keep this job from overwhelming them. One idea is to give each child her own laundry basket in her bedroom. Teach the habit of placing dirty clothes into the basket and bringing the basket to the laundry room when it is full. Each child is different, but most are able to use the washer/dryer by age 10 or 11. This can free Mom and Dad from the laundry cycle and give the children a responsibility within the home.
Kitchen
Mealtime for large families does not have to be chaotic. Proper meal planning and supplies can be a time-saver when dinner comes around. Plan and shop for meals weekly. This will not only help keep the budget in check, but will make sure that all needed supplies for dinner are on hand and avoid the "what's for dinner?" scramble at 5 p.m. Use clear, air-tight containers to store bulk purchases. Items will be easy to see, keep longer and the containers will fit better in your pantry than awkward-shaped boxes and bags.
Chores
You can organize chores in a variety of ways, depending on the needs and desires of the family. Chores teach responsibility and help the household run smoother. Younger children may be able to set the table, feed the pets or sweep the floor, while older children will be able to cook, do laundry and clean the garage. Assign chores and place each child's chores on a schedule chart. Post it in a common area in the home, such as the family room or kitchen, where everyone can access it. As a child completes a chore, he can check it off. This helps the child and Mom keep track of what has been done and what still needs to be completed.
Storage
Most large families have many out-of-season clothes or hand-me-downs that need to be stored until needed. This can become an organizational nightmare if not planned well. Large plastic bins available in most department and home improvement stores provide a convenient way to store these clothes. If the budget doesn't allow for that, then reuse cardboard boxes. Label each box or bin with the season, size and gender of clothing stored in it. These boxes can then be stacked, labels facing outward, in a closet, basement or storage room. Have separate boxes for shoes. Tie shoes together into pairs and place them in the box. This keeps all shoes together and readily available.
Tags: large families, planning consistency, shoes together
