Em Elevates

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Think back to when you were young. Were you taught how to clean? Or simply just told to do so?

Teaching independence in my children is a priority for me. One way you can start this, as early as possible, is by teaching them to take care of their own surroundings. And expecting it.

But they need to be set up for success. These are 4 ways I do that.

1. Dedicated display areas: this negates any issue of piling items on flat surfaces. If children have an area that they can keep and show off their treasures, they will use it.

2. Easy-care bedding and furniture: is king for teaching a child how to independently make their bed. as far as the other furniture goes, I like to keep it small, as to hold necessities, and cheap. I don’t have to worry about how my kids care for thrifted and marketplace furniture.

3. Their level: Make sure all of these things mentioned above are at your child’s physical and developmentally appropriate levels.

4. Lower expectations: i’m not saying to get rid of them, but your kids are not you. They will do things their own way. They will need help. As long as our home boundaries are kept, (50% closet and flat surface rule… nothing on the floor… etc.) mom is happy!

“The secret to your future is hidden in your daily routine.”

What are your favorite “opening shift” tasks that make your evenings go smoother?

Thanks to the person who messaged me about the typo! Reset***… but yes, rest too 😅

I typed this phrase so many times over the weekend. I love that so many of you were taking the long holiday weekend to create peace in your home!

I don’t mean this to discourage anyone or tell you you’re doing it “wrong”. But no amount of baskets, bins, or perfectly lined rows are going save you from stress later on and give you your time back.

The ONLY thing that will decrease your physical and mental load is to actually decrease the items.

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Enough: as much or as many of something as required… decided by the only person that matters, you!

Making that decision can be difficult. But once you find the balance of loving and caring for your home - you’ll never go back.

It’s an art 🧼

Some of my favorite areas to do this to are: bathroom cabinets, playroom, laundry room, and garage. I am always amazed how much I can get done before the timer goes off!

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Extra lil thoughts… 💭

Make the boundaries known. If they’re expected, they’re more likely to be followed.

This makes accepting random gifts easier. But at the end of the day, we only keep what we can… and that’s what fits.

Catch-all baskets are GREAT… but don’t let them become a home for those items.

Create storage that condenses like items together (tools, office supplies, snacks, etc), so finding and putting away is easy… no guessing where things are and go.

Lastly, let the storage AND the items within breathe! This is a no forcing zone. Ease only.

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Happy, happy Mother’s Day. I hope you all have a beautiful day. 💐

What Elsa said… ❄️

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She’s back✨ The summer wardrobes are out of storage! Winter only outfits / pajamas / holiday clothing are tucked away. I use this pile system for myself and my kids with every season. Like I always say, watch the stores for my autobiography titled “Piles and Baskets” someday 🤓

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