Keeping clutter at bay has been a battle I lose too often. I needed a different game plan. While watching the Spurs with My Sweetie one night, it hit me. I needed to switch to zone defense instead of man on man, which was exhausting me quickly.
Here's what I did: I chose areas of the house that could use a clutter check daily (or twice a day in our case) and assigned those areas to someone. As the coach, I explained what is expected when I declare, "Zone defense!" Then I did a dry run in each area with all children watching.
Here's our current Zone Defense:
HB- dining room (Usually the drop zone and therefore the most cluttered... most valuable player gets this zone. Lucky her.)
The Boy- school room (Second messiest zone... he's thrilled to have this assignment)
Princess- family room
Faith- bathrooms
Cutie Pie- front room
Me- kitchen (I was lying when I said those other two areas are messier than this room.)
So, twice a day, we do our zones. This keeps clutter at bay and is extremely helpful if you suddenly realize guests are on their way. Or if they are pulling up in the driveway. Whatever.
I realize lots of you may not have five children who can each have their own zone. In that case, they could each have two zones or they could have the most important zones as designated by the coach (messiest most often, the only areas guests see, most visible from the front door, etc).
That's what Works for Me (this) Wednesday. Check out We are THAT Family for lots of clever ideas!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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7 comments:
I really like the idea of zone defense. I'm afraid that sometimes, I'm my own worst enemy regarding clutter. I love to clean, mop, dust, vacuum, etc. But clutter, ugh!
Very clever idea! I only have two and when they were little we had three toy pickups a day: before lunch, before dinner, before bed. We also had a 4:00 room check and a 7:00 whole house pickup.
I also built chore training time into our homeschooling. That way, they had assigned chores which were (and are) a big help!
We do something similar to this...in that each person has their area and if I find it not up to par they put a nickle in my vacation jar.
Also, there is a basket that things get tossed in if you leave it where it doesn't belong. Anyone can pick your shoes up that are laying beside of your bed instead of in the shoe bag where they belong. They get tossed in the basket. The owner must put a nickle in the vacation jar to buy back their items in the basket. If they don't want to buy it back...it gets auctioned off to the highest bidder. And the money goes...in mom's vacation jar.
These really help to keep the house tidy and/or fund my annual trip to Georgia!
If you don't have five kids to give assignments to then you don't have as much of a mess. God designed it that way, right? Good job Mom. Please tell HB that I expect her to do an extra good job before I come on Saturday. LOL! Lisa~
Clutter's a constant battle here as well. I'll have to give some thought to "zone defense." It sounds like a great idea and I'm glad it's working for you!
Gosh, I am SO blessed to have such a brilliant SISTER! Oh yeah girlie, I HAVE to put in the zone defense strategy! If only I can get my own bum off the bench! :0)
love ya
What a great idea!!!!
Hugs, :) Heather S.
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