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I knew I had lost control the moment I stepped on a LEGO... barefoot… while holding a half-eaten string cheese and searching for a missing shoe.

It was 8:03 AM. We were already late. One child couldn’t find his backpack, another had just spilled applesauce on the dog, and I had no idea where my coffee went. Until I spotted it, cold and abandoned, on the bathroom vanity. Of course.

Sound familiar?

Staying organized with kids sometimes feels like trying to shovel snow in a blizzard. The second you get one area under control, another explodes into chaos. And for the longest time, I thought I was doing something wrong. Like maybe the other moms had some secret I hadn’t cracked.

Turns out? They didn’t. The real secret isn’t about having the perfect colour-coded planner or a Pinterest-worthy playroom. It’s about finding flexible systems that work for your life. The kind that bend and shift and still somehow hold everything together (most days, anyway).

In this post, I’m sharing some of the real-life strategies that have saved my sanity more times than I can count. Simple tips, small shifts, and the kind of mindset that gives you grace and a little breathing room.

Oh, and if your mealtimes are one of the biggest sources of chaos (been there), I’ve got you. My free Beginner’s Meal Planner Workbook is linked below. It’s low-stress, super helpful, and a great place to start if you’re looking to get just one part of your day back under control.

Let’s get into it.

Redefining “Organized” When You’re a Parent

Let’s get one thing out of the way: organization with kids does not look like what you see on Instagram. You know the photos: labelled bins, perfect pantries, kids’ closets that look like boutique displays. Don’t get me wrong, those setups are beautiful. But if that’s not your reality? You’re still doing just fine.

When you’re a parent, “organized” has to be flexible. It means having systems that work most of the time, not perfectly, but well enough to keep the wheels turning. It means prioritizing function over aesthetics and letting go of the pressure to keep everything spotless.

Maybe that means a basket for shoes by the door instead of a fancy rack. Maybe it means meal planning one week at a time instead of prepping thirty freezer meals. Maybe it means your living room is clean, but the laundry’s been living on your couch for three days. Same. We've all been there once or twice, there’s no shame.

Organization, as a parent, is not about creating more work for yourself. It's about reducing the mental load. The goal is to make life a little easier, not more complicated.

So, let’s give ourselves permission to rewrite what “organized” looks like. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for you and your family.

Create Systems That Actually Work

When it comes to staying organized with kids, the best systems are the ones that are simple, repeatable, and built for real life. If it takes too much time or brainpower, we’re not sticking with it, and that’s okay! These are the go-to systems that have actually worked in my home (and kept me from totally losing my mind):

Create organization systems that actually work.

1. Baskets and Bins Everywhere

Designate a bin for everything, toys, art supplies, socks with no matches, random stuff from the car. Kids are much more likely to clean up when it’s easy to toss things into a bin instead of having to “put it away properly.” Bonus: it takes two seconds to do a quick tidy before guests come over.

2. The Daily 10-Minute Reset

Every evening (ideally before the bedtime tornado), we do a super-fast family reset. Everyone gets a small job like clearing the floor, putting the dishes in the sink, or fluffing the pillows. Set a timer and make it a game or a challenge. It’s amazing how much you can clean up in 10 minutes when everyone’s focused.

3. Drop Zones by the Door

If you’ve ever found yourself yelling “WHERE’S YOUR BACKPACK?!” while one kid is crying and the other is half-dressed, just know we've all been there. Create a drop zone near the front door with hooks, baskets, or a simple shelf for shoes, bags, and coats. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to exist.

4. Meal Planning (Yes, It’s a Lifesaver)

Planning meals in advance (even just loosely!) literally takes so much stress off your plate. You’re not scrambling at 4:55 p.m., wondering what to cook while a toddler clings to your leg. Even a rough weekly plan makes evenings smoother.

Need a place to start? My free Beginner’s Meal Planner Workbook is linked below, and it’s perfect for busy parents who want to make dinnertime less chaotic and more manageable.

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Meal Planning Checklist

Use SMART goals to plan and start meal planning with ease!

Download

Get the Kids Involved (Even Toddlers!)

I used to think getting organized meant I had to do it all myself. But here’s the truth: kids can totally help, and it actually helps them, too.

Giving your little ones age-appropriate responsibilities teaches them that they’re part of the team. It builds independence, confidence, and (bonus) it makes your life a lot easier. Win-win.

Start Small and Keep It Fun

Toddlers can throw toys in a bin. Preschoolers can help set the table or “fold” washcloths (no, it won’t be perfect, but that’s not the point!). School-aged kids can wipe surfaces, pack their own backpacks, or do a quick room tidy.

Make it a game. Set a timer. Blast their favourite music. Turn it into a race or a challenge, anything that makes it feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

Praise the Effort, Not the Outcome

Maybe the blocks didn’t make it into the right bin, or maybe they folded their clothes into something that looks like modern art. Who cares? The goal is participation and progress. Not perfection.

When kids feel like they’re contributing (and they’re not just being “cleaned up after”), they’re way more likely to stay involved. And they might even start organizing without being asked someday. (A mom can dream, right?)

Getting your kids involved doesn’t just lighten your load, it builds habits they’ll carry with them. Plus, it turns organizing into something your family does together, instead of something you’re stuck managing solo.

Build Buffer Time Into Everything

If there’s one parenting lesson I’ve learned the hard way, it’s this: everything takes longer with kids. Getting dressed, getting in the car, brushing teeth, literally everything. And when we try to stick to a too-tight schedule? That’s when the meltdowns (and stress spirals) happen. For them and for us.

That’s where buffer time becomes your secret weapon.

Simple ways to stay organized with kids.

Add 10–15 Minutes to Everything

Running errands? Tack on 15 minutes for lost shoes, forgotten toys, or last-minute potty breaks. Trying to get out the door for school? Add time for unexpected sock crises or spontaneous deep conversations about dinosaurs.

When you build in that wiggle room, you're not scrambling. You’re calmly navigating chaos like the parenting ninja you are.

Buffer Time Reduces Rushing (and Rushing = Stress)

When we’re rushed, we're more likely to snap, forget things, or feel totally frazzled. Adding a little cushion to your day can seriously change the whole energy in your home.

You can breathe easier. The kids feel less pressure. And when something does go sideways (because it always does), you’ve already built in a little grace.

This doesn’t mean your schedule has to be perfectly padded and peaceful all the time, but those little extra minutes? They add up to a whole lot of calm.

Here’s your gentle reminder: you’re not failing just because your living room looks like a toy store exploded or because someone’s always missing a sock. You’re raising humans. It’s supposed to be a little messy.

Staying organized with kids isn’t about getting everything right. It's about finding what works for you. Tiny systems that make your day smoother. Grace on the hard days and a mindset that says, “We’re figuring this out together,” doesn't hurt either.

So whether you start with a toy bin, a 10-minute reset, or just building in some buffer time tomorrow morning, that’s enough. That’s more than enough.

And if you’re looking for a simple, doable way to take one thing off your mental load?

Grab my free Beginner’s Meal Planner Workbook below. It’ll help you plan meals without stress, simplify your grocery runs, and take the chaos out of dinnertime, even on your wildest days.

You’ve got this, mama. I’m cheering you on the whole way.

The Secret to Staying Organized with Kids

The Secret to Staying Organized with Kids

Use SMART goals to plan and start your meal planning with ease!

Redefining “Organized” When You’re a Parent