Your Super-Secret Royal Bonus Page and Goodies and Videos!

Tip: I would save this page to your Favorites. You’ll be referring back to it frequently! 

Welcome, my royal friend, to your Super Secret Bonus Page!

Thank you, firstly, for taking the plunge and signing up for the Queen of Your Castle Club! I am so thankful that I don’t have to do the “cleaning” thing by myself. (Trust me, it would never happen without some sweet accountability!)

Make sure you have told your email provider to put emails from me (heather@mightymoms.club) into your primary folder. (For Gmail users, just click and drag over to Primary, then select “yes.”)

Month By Month,
It’s a…Simpler Process

This page is going to get longer and longer over the months to come. The first time you visit, I would recommend reading the content below, since it is relevant to every month.  After that, though, you may find it handy to use these quick links to go directly to the month you’re currently working on!

By the way, there is no rule that says you have to do March, in March.

Be a rebel! Tackle March in April, April in June, July in May… whatever seems easiest for that month’s schedule!

Choose Your Queenly Duties

Don’t forget that the main tasks on your monthly printable are always divided into three queenly seasons:

  1. Sleeping Beauty—For exhausted moms with little time for cleaning.
  2. Cinderella—For moms who only want to clean on the weekends.
  3. Snow White—For moms who can want to tackle the heavy-duty tasks.

Naturally, feel free to skip between each queen, depending on your energy level that month. Remember, this is supposed to help you. Guilt and shame is pointless here. Do what you can do, and then kick that Guilt Monster in the gonads. 

Besides the regular tasks, the printables also include a few bonus options. These are at the bottom of the priority pole, my friend. If you don’t do them, no problem. They are optional.  (Except the Crowning Moment, you should really do that one. *wink*)

Jenny’s Top 3 Tips
to Get Your Royal Heinie Going

I’ve already shared that I created Queen of Your Castle as a selfish project to help me find accountability and focus in getting my house in better shape.

Most of the ideas come from my older sister, Jenny, who is the most efficient Domestic Engineer I’ve ever seen. Here are her top three tips to launch our little bonus page:

  1. Wear Shoes. Whether they are tennis shoes or stiff-soled house shoes, having shoes on your feet will magically change your mental game. You are a lot less likely to sit down and veg when you’ve got shoes on!
  2. Set a Timer. It’s overwhelming (and, honestly, depressing) to think you’re going to be cleaning for the next 2 hours. Set your timer for 15 or 30 minutes, then take a break or be done for the day. Smaller chunks make big projects a lot more manageable.
  3. Declutter as You Clean. Set out three laundry baskets as you’re cleaning a room: one for items you need to put away, one for items you’re going to throw away, and one for items you’re going to give away.

Heather’s Top 2 Tips to
Make Cleaning a Less Sucky Task

Jenny is good at getting it done. I’m good at making an unpleasant task as easy as possible. To that end, here are two little “Heatherized” tips of my own:

Embrace the Beauty of a Good Distraction

I stumbled upon this little trick last year: listen to an audiobook while you clean. I am constantly amazed at how more efficient I am at mindless cleaning tasks when I’ve got a good mystery to listen to.

As long as you’ve got a checklist to help you focus (and now you do!), put in your earbuds and lose yourself in a good story. Click here start a free trial and get TWO audiobooks for free. (Might I recommend my favorite mystery of all time?)

When Procrastinating…Rope Someone in to Help

Have a particularly tough job to focus on? Have a friend come over and do it together! (Then, of course, you’ll have to go over to her house and do the same!) It’s amazing how much you can get done (and how fast) when you’re sharing the load with a friend. This is particularly a great tip when you’re doing big jobs!.

Bonus Materials for March

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist!

Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule it on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home.

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that time, it will show up on your radar as a task to check off that day.

What You’ll Need for March

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to check off your cleaning boxes this month!

Tools to Tackle the Bedroom

The goal this month was to tackle the deep-cleaning of the bedrooms. You’ve been cooped up in that room all winter long, time to shake off those dead skin cells *dry heave* and freshen up your sleeping areas!

  1. Smoke detectors for every bedroom, the hallway, on the first floor, and in the basement; along with plenty of 9V batteries to make sure they will work all summer long.
  2. A carbon monoxide detector for each floor of your house. (This detector combines smoke and carbon monoxide together.)
  3. Cinderellas and Snow Whites will need an extendable cleaner (or a step ladder) to wipe down walls and remove winter cobwebs.
  4. Snow Whites will need to stock up on Eraser Sponges to remove stains and crayon “art” from the bedroom walls. (This stuff works!)

Tools to Tackle the Craft Corner

  1. Have some stackable containers ready to organize all the writing utensils in your Craft Corner!
  2. A heavy-duty sharpener will motivate your kids to color with the supplies you’ve already purchased. (They can’t resist newly sharpened pencils!) Always grab a plug-in sharpener. Battery ones become useless paper weights faster than you would believe.

Tools to Reclaim and Conquer…Your Makeup Bag

I’m taking a WILD guess here, but I’ve got this feeling that it’s been a while since you revamped your makeup area. Did you know your makeup as an expiration date? This lady went blind after using old makeup, so check those dates!

Treat yourself to some organizers to inspire and beautify your makeover spot!  (Like zen-ifying your section with a few of these insanely realistic plants.)

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for March!

You did it! What refreshing soul-satisfying beverage are you going to sip to celebrate? Coffee? Tea? Moscato? Margarita?

I will be savoring my favorite drink in the world…a warm cup of Highlander Grogg (in this, my current favorite mug). Yes, I realize that it sounds like I’m drinking something out of a goblin’s cook-pot…but it really is delicious, if you’re brave enough to try it!

Bonus Videos for March

Want a few more helpful tips on our themes in March? Here are three videos that I thought were really helpful.  (Well, two videos that were helpful, and one that’s too amusing not to share.)

5 Tips to Clean Your Bedroom in Less Than 20 Minutes

I almost skipped this video, because (honestly) I have a hard time relating to anyone who looks like a model (perfect hair/makeup, stylish BOOTS??) while cleaning… but good tips are good tips, and Live Your Style has some great tips!

Just know that the only people in the world who look this good while cleaning are also the only people in the world making cleaning videos. (Another reason, I think, that I don’t have my own cleaning videos…HA!)

Quick and Easy 5-Minute Make-Up Tutorial

There are 2.9 million makeup tutorials on Youtube…and this video by Stephanie Bailey is the only one you should bother to watch. Here’s why:

  1. Most moms only have about five minutes to do their makeup anyway. At least before someone starts screaming.
  2. Her natural face has a lot of blemishes. Sorry, but it’s just not as impressive to see someone with 99% perfect skin look like they have 100% perfect skin at the end of a makeup video. She honestly looks amazing at the end, showing that a little technique can go a long way in covering up any sad self-esteem spots!
  3. She uses inexpensive makeup products. No, I don’t have $50 to spend on foundation so I can look extra-awesome at the grocery store, library, bank, etc.. Maybelline, though…I can handle that price tag.

Can Your Mattress Protector Stand Up to a Sasquatch?

You may have already seen this video from Purple before…but I had to share it again because we’re talking about bedrooms this month. It’s hilarious, yes, but it actually does demonstrate a helpful product. 

I honestly wish I had had this when my little potty trainers were struggling with the nighttime wets. (Plastic sheets make me cringe…like nails on a chalkboard.)

Bonus Materials for April

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist!

Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule It on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home.

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your April Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that time, it will show up on your radar as a task to check off that day.

What You’ll Need for April

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to accomplish your April tasks!

Tools to Tackle the Closets

The goal this month was to conquer the closets. You’ve been bundling up with warm clothes for the past few months (or, in the case of my fellow Wisconsinites, since September…) and it’s time to slay the Winter Beast and prepare for delicate spring outfits to bloom.  (For you and the kids!)

  • If you have large closets, move your winter items to the back or side of the closet with these clever dividers. (Using colors is helpful in the darkness of the closet. I would also try using a dry erase marker, so you can change the label with the seasons.)
  • If you are like me, and have more storage in the trunk of you car than you do in your closet, get some sturdy clear bins and a few durable reusable labels so you can stick them out of sight for a few months.

Tools to Tackle the Mudroom (or Winter Closet)

  • You’ll need some durable storage bins for the scarves, hats, gloves, Yeti fur, and other winter requirements.
  • Washing the floor is one of my least favorite tasks. Yes, you could do hands/knees for the DEEP cleaning, but if you’re a Sleeping Beauty/Cinderella and need it done fast, the Swiffer is my go-to grab.
  • You’ll also need a child-friendly disinfectant spray. Yes, you want to kill germs, but why not do it with a substance that’s not so scary when you find your toddler licking the spilled yogurt off the floor. Yes. THIS HAS HAPPENED.
  • I love these wire storage baskets, because they won’t mold when wet things end up tossed inside.  The scooped front makes it easier to reach inside.
  • The Mudroom area is the first part of the house that you see at the end of a long day. Why not make your heart happy by adding a few Welcome Home! touches? I especially love this little stand. Just add a small basket for keys on the top and a fake succulent plant on the bottom.

Tools to Reclaim and Conquer…the Shoe Pile

Time for a Shoe Party! You’ll need three boxes/bins to help you sort all the shoes into three piles:

  • Donate Box
  • Storage Box (for next season)
  • Trash Box (no one will ever want to wear these again)

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for April!

Remember, this month’s crowning moment was to reward yourself with something useful…new house shoes!

You’ll want something comfortable and non-slip. Here’s the pair I wear everyday.

Bonus Videos for April

Want a few more helpful tips on how to sort and clean out all your winter junk? Here are a few other videos that will come in handy!

What Colors Work for You?

It makes sense that as you are purging your winter closets, it might be helpful to double check that you’re keeping the colored shirts that actually look good on you, and not those you should avoid like the plague (or end up looking like you have the plague).

This is a great helpful tutorial from Mimi Ikon that really helped me. (Plus, her husband gets bonus points for being willing to be the model!)

How to Sell Your Stuff Online — 6 Steps to Making a Sale

Okay, I’m a little behind the times, but I’m only now just catching on that there are LOTS of apps out there that make it really easy to list and sell your used clothing for a bit of extra cash.

I spent a LOT of time searching online for a video that would break this concept down cleanly, but not be all “MAKE THOUSANDS NOW!” hypey at the same time. This video by Life Made Simply fit the bill. The sound is a little fuzzy, but I think the video does the best job describing how to select your items to sell, photograph it well, and price it smartly.

Bonus Materials for May

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist!

Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule It on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home.

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your May Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that time, it will show up on your radar as a task to check off that day.

What You’ll Need for May

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to accomplish your May tasks!

Tools to Tackle the Family Room

Our goal this month was to de-clutter and clean our family’s favorite gathering space. Call it the Living Room, the Family Room, the Great Room…it needs to shed the winter blankets and freshen up with a new layout (perhaps) and clever organizers!

  • If you have wires visible around the TV or end-tables, you can keep everything sleek and clean by hiding them in a clever wire organizer. This white plastic one can be mounted on the wall, or a darker cloth cover hides well on the floor in the corner.
  • Set up a charging station for your family’s tech, then teach your kids to always put their tablet “to sleep” inside a stylish tech charger stored on the counter or under a side table.
  • You’ll need my favorite dusting mitt! (Or your own favorite dusting tool!)
  • If you have leather furniture, you should give it a gentle rub down once a year with a good leather cleaner like this one to keep the leather supple and avoid cracking. (Plus it wipes away sticky tiny handprints.)
  • You’ll want to dust the ceiling fan well before turning it on (and sending dead skin particulates everywhere). A ceiling fan duster does the trick super fast and can be thrown directly into the wash when you’re done. This one snaps right on to an extendable pole (that’s handy for plenty of other cleaning tasks too.)
  • Those Family Room windows have a wonderful array of nose-prints and sticky-finger swipes! The Norwex polishing cloth gets everything clean and streak-free with just water and within 5 minutes. TOPS. (It’s pretty cool.)
  • If you have wooden floors, now is the time to do a yearly deep-scrub to remove stains and get it shiny again. This product doesn’t leave a film behind, but is a tough cleaner, so make sure you only use it when the kids are going to be out of the house for several hours.

Tools to Tackle the Porch

Nothing says “Welcome Home!” like walking into a clean, organized, beautiful porch. Whether it’s for your guests at the front of the house, or for just you at the back, here’s how to make that area of your home shine a peace beacon at the end of a long day. 

Tools to Reclaim and Conquer…the Garage

Gather up your whole crew, put on some work gloves (because I can’t handle touching gross things with spider webs on them), and get ready to reorganize your garage! Here’s a list of the items you’ll need to reclaim your garage for summer:

  • If you don’t already have one, it’s time to invest in a solid push broom.
  • The ceiling of your garage is a brilliant place for storage. All you need are these clever hanging racks. They can be installed on flat or angled garage roofs, and on a variety of ceiling types. Storing on the ceiling prevents water from seeping in and ruining your stored items and makes the entire garage feel cleaner and more organized.
  • Speaking of getting things off the ground, organize your yard tools in a rack like this one, and invest in a few hoist-happy bike racks to keep tip-prone bikes off the ground when not in use.

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for May!

Remember, this month’s crowning moment was to reward yourself with a quiet moment by yourself (or with a few friends) on your Spring-ified Porch! If you have a few extra bucks this month, pick up some soft fairy lights to cast a soft and quiet mood or use some outdoor round-bulbs that remind you of dinner in Tuscany.

Bonus Videos for May

Want a few more helpful tips on how to organize this month’s castle tasks? Here are a few other videos that will come in handy!

How to Organize: The Family Room

I got a lot out of this quick video. I loved her ideas to label the remotes, because it prevents me from having to spend 10 minutes trying to explain everything to the babysitter on Date Nights. I also though the suggestion to use a utensil caddy was a smart one. (We’ve been using a basket, but it takes up a lot of room.)

DIY Garage Makeover

I’m sharing this because…

  1. I think she has a lot of great suggestions in regards to organizing your normal stuff.
  2. She’s a huge crafter, so if you want to use your garage for more than just parking cars and holding off-season Christmas decorations, this will inspire you.
  3. It’s a makeover. Who doesn’t like a happy ending?

How to Build a Fairy Garden for Your Porch

Having three daughters, I’m very familiar with the power and wonder that comes with a fairy garden. I’ve seen 70-year-old grandmas stoop down and whisper Ohhhhh!!! to examine more closely. There’s just something about them that makes our feminine hearts soft. 🙂

I love how practical this video is. She walks you through how to pick your plants, and even how to build a little bubbly fairy fountain. Love it. All you need is a big pot, a cute fairy-petal house and a few fairy patio pieces.

If fairies aren’t your thing, why not choose a few select plants to put in pots and create a Butterfly Garden instead? Here’s how.

Bonus Materials for June

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist! Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule It on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home.

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your June Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that time, it will show up on your radar as a task to check off that day.

What You’ll Need for June

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to accomplish your June tasks!

Tools to Tackle the Kitchen

You knew it was coming…it’s time to get that kitchen organized and inspirational! I like cooking…but only when I feel like the kitchen isn’t a massive pile of chaos. There’s something soothing about seeing the canned goods all lined up and the pastas in the same place that boosts my chef-esteem.

  • The easiest way that I’ve found to get the grime and crusties off the kitchen cabinets is the Magic Eraser. You can save a ton by buying the generic versions in bulk. (They work just as well!)
  • I really like these plastic containers with chalk labels.
  • Speaking of labeling things… this label maker lets you choose different tape colors and font styles.
  • Reclaim your spice rack with these stylish spice jars. (Then save money by buying herbs in bulk!)
  • For grease build up, give Windex a try. It’s an excellent inexpensive grease-cutter!
  • Re-lining your shelves and drawers is a simple way to refresh your kitchen and de-germ the cooking space. This one has a pretty, neutral, design and is self-adhesive!
  • If you don’t already have an under-the-sink organizer, now would be a good time to grab one—especially one that fits around those awkward pipes like this.
  • Also, consider getting an under sink mat to protect the cabinet from mold in the case of a leak. (It’s a lot cheaper than having to replace a cabinet or *gulp* your wooden floor.)
  • If you don’t already have a trash can with a lid (who wants to look at old food while making NEW food?) I highly recommend this one. Nice, but doesn’t cost a fortune.
  • Cleaning the oven was always my least favorite chore, because I hated feeling like the whole house was filling up with cancer fumes. This fume-free invention changed all that. 🙂

Tools to Tackle the Junk Drawer

We ALL have one. (Even the Kardashians have a junk drawer.) It’s the place you go when you can’t find {fill in the blank}. Here are some helpful organizers to clean up that clutter.

Tools to Tackle the Fridge and Freezer

Ah, the fridge. By far the worst cleaning job in the kitchen. Here are several tools that make keeping it clean and organized easier. This means that you’ll be able to tell, at a glance, that the cilantro needs to be thrown out and you’re almost out of Diet Coke!

  • A fridge liner helps to speed up the cleaning process. This pack has different colors, so (if you wanted to) you could declare each color a “zone”. Dairy on blue, produce on green, leftovers on red, etc.
  • Keep your condiments from taking over the fridge by storing them in an easy-to-remove condiment caddy. (This also reduces the chance that the kids will knock one over…making your fridge reek like pickles…#myexperience)
  • Maximize the vertical space in the fridge with these snap-on drawers.

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for June!

Your reward for taking on the kitchen this month is to pick ONE thing that will bring a smile to your face every time you use it.

Bonus Videos for June

Want a few more helpful tips on how to organize this month’s castle tasks? Here are a few other videos that will come in handy!

9 Clever Kitchen Organization Hacks

This video goes SUPER fast, which is good because I (confession here) really hate watching videos.  It’s bad, though, because I found so many of their suggestions helpful, that I wanted to slow down and really think about what I just saw. Here are a few things I though particularly interesting…

  • The wonder of adhesive hooks in the kitchen.
  • I need to purchase more magnets.
  • It’s stupid that I haven’t thought of adding a lazy susan to the fridge yet. (And I’m really glad my name isn’t Susan. 🙁 )
  • I don’t have to scream every time I need a tupperware. (Leftovers? But that means opening the tupperware drawer…NOPITY NOPE!)

How to Organize: The Fridge

Not only did I find Sara Lynn’s suggestions practically helpful, I appreciated the extra knowledge about where to store the milk (on the bottom) and thought her suggestion to purchase heavy duty ziploc bags for produce and square glass containers for fruit were good suggestions. (Heavy duty bags can be reused and square containers maximize fridge real estate.)

That said, some things were a bit too over the top for me, a Cinderella Cleaner. If you’re a Snow White, by all means re-jar your pasta sauce and put 15 grapes in a glass container! But otherwise, I’d take the tips that fit your lifestyle and put the others in a “maybe someday” category.  🙂

Bonus Materials for July

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist! Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule it on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home.

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your July Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that time, it will show up on your radar as a task to check off that day.

What You’ll Need for July

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to accomplish your July tasks!

Tools to Tackle the Bathrooms

Yes, this is going to be your least favorite cleaning task. But take heart! You’ve got some solid cleaning gloves (right?) and the knowledge that even the hoity toity have to clean the crapper!

  • Memory foam bath mats sound nice, but tend to soak up water and spit out mold. Stick with simple, like these anti-slip bath mats or all natural bamboo. (Want to freak out guests? Slip this freaky mat into the guest bath!)
  • Speaking of mold, plan on replacing your shower liner once a year. It’s cheap, and makes the bathroom look (and smell) a lot cleaner.
  • A child-friendly disinfectant is a must-have, especially if you have young kids in the house. You think you will have 10 minutes to let it dry…but that’s an eternity to a potty trainer!
  • A grout cleaner (or old toothbrush) is super helpful in digging out the mildew ecosystem that likes to grow in between the shower and floor tiles. This brush set is perfect for your standard cleaner.
  • If you haven’t discovered the Shroom yet, and there are females in the house, now is the time to be amazed.
  • Time to replace or retire those old ratty towels everyone hates! These are plush enough to feel ritzy, but cheap enough to feel thrifty!
  • For extra storage, check out these stylish behind-the-door containers. (I just picked this up for the girls’ bathroom.)

Tools to Tackle the Medicine Cabinet

Experts are now saying that storing your medicines in the bathroom isn’t a good idea. The fluctuating temperatures in the bathroom can mess up the delicate pharmaceutical balance. (Here’s more info on that.) 

Then stock your “Medicine Cabinet” in the bathroom with bandages, nail clippers, deodorant, etc. While you’re moving all your medications over to your stylish new lockbox, be sure to follow these instructions to check expiration dates and dispose of them correctly!

Tools to Tackle the Linen Closet

It’s amazing how quickly the Linen Closet can turn into a Linen Pile. One tightly tugged towel or sheet and the entire nicely folded tower comes crumbling down. Here are some ideas to keep that closet neat and tidy!

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for July!

You have (literally) gotten your hands dirty and deep-cleaned the bathroom! You go, you! Now it’s time to reward yourself with some sweet spa treatments!

  • I know this looks, well weird, but it is BY FAR my favorite beauty treatment right now. Rub it on your clean face, and feel your dead skin turn into tiny balls to wash off. No stinging or burning, feels like water, with an awesome after effect!
  • Forget those clunky nose pads. This charcoal mask glides on as a liquid, before solidifying and pulling out all the nasties clogging up your nose pores. Very awesome.
  • One of my favorite things to do when I get out of the shower at night is to rub foot balm on the bottom of my feet. I’m currently using lavender, but this honey blossom is equally therapeutic.

Bonus Videos for July

Want a few more helpful tips on how to organize this month’s castle tasks? Here are a few other videos that will come in handy!

7 Genius Cleaning Tricks for the Bathroom

I like this video a lot. It’s short (which is nice, because long bathroom cleaning videos turn my stomach) and has some practical all-natural ideas.

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet in 30 Seconds

It was comforting, first of all, to search through videos on this subject and discover that even Martha Stewart struggles with folding fitted sheets. (She even blames her divorce on them…)

The OCD Experience (Organize & Create Discipline) shows you in 30 seconds. Yes please!

Bonus Materials for August

First thing, go ahead and print off this month’s checklist! Done? Sweet! Let’s get started!

Schedule it on the Calendar

None of these things are going to happen if you don’t specifically set aside time to do them. Sadly, no one ever drifts into a clean home. (Or my house would be AMAZING.)

Take this moment (yep, this moment) and look at the month’s calendar. Then schedule your August Castle Time. Even if you don’t do it exactly at that specific time, it will show up on your radar as something you’re going to try to do that day. (Or schedule several times/days! The point here is that you’ve intentionally set time aside to check things off!)

What You’ll Need for August

Time to put on your cleaning shoes and dive in! Here are the tools and extra tricks you’ll need to accomplish your August tasks!

Tools to Tackle Your Vehicles

In a remarkably short amount of time, calendar is going to start filling up and you’re going to find yourself spending a crazy amount of time in your “mobile office” i.e. car, minivan, SUV, etc.

Do yourself a favor by getting it organized and clean before September arrives. It won’t look this nice in December, true, but it’s amazing how a clean and organized car can help make Screwball September go a little smoother. 

  • I recommend getting a vacuum specifically for the car. It totally beats trying to lug your Dyson (or worse, our Kirby) out into the garage and trying to fit those larger units around the small cramped spaces all the cheerios seem to land.
  • The Car Guys make an amazing cleaning spray for leather and uphostered seats. Nearly a thousand car-owners have testified that this is the good stuff.
  • Windex is great for the house windows, but it really sucks on the car windows. I have no idea why that is, but I’ve found the best streak-free results come from here.
  • Having an emergency car kit is super important, especially in case of bad weather! This article will help you with baby supplies while this emergency kit will cover everything else!

I would absolutely recommend creating a Distraction Center in the car, especially if you have young kids and long drives to Grandma’s house! Read this for tips on traveling with a baby, and read this if you’ve got older complainers who need something fun to do.

Tools for Getting Yourself Organized

The moment September first rolls around, your going to be launched into BUSY faster than you can say exhausted. Here are the best tools to get yourself ready for the September Speed Round.

  • Boost your emotional readiness by swapping your summer satchel out for a brand new purse! Click here to see some gorgeously affordable options.
  • It’s been really useful for my family to have a larger monthly calendar to refer as we are bouncing from activity to activity. Amy Knapp’s Big Grid Calendar is the one I get every year. Plenty of space to write!
  • Having a weekly meal plan is the best way to reduce your 3-6 pm stress load. I’ve been using eMeals for the past 4 years, and I just renewed my subscription for the fall. It’s a huge relief to just print it off, circle the meals I’m going to make, and be DONE. Try eMeals for free for two weeks!

Tools to Organize Your Office/Homework Area

You are about to be BURIED in paper. When my kids first started school, that was the thing that surprised me the most. All the paperwork. (And I homeschooled for the first few years!) Here are my best tips to keep that Paper Monster contained.

  • The very first thing you’re going to want to do is set up a Memory Box for each child. This is where you will store art projects, report cards, birthday notes…anything that happens this year that you want to keep.
  • I have a stack of large manilla envelopes (with the clasps) ready and waiting. Just write your child’s name and the grade/year on the front.
  • Create your “Family Center” of information that needs to be shared. I use a hanging wire organizer. The girls put all their school stuff on their “shelf” the moment they get home. (Yes, that took training.)  I just have to glance at the wall to see if there’s anything I need to look over before bedtime.

Treat Yourself: Your Crowning Moment for August!

You did it! You’ve finished up your August organizing tasks! Well DONE, my friend! Time to reward yourself (and the rest of your dwarven crew) with a Family Night!

 Bonus Videos for August

Want a few more helpful tips on how to organize this month’s castle tasks? Here are a few other videos that will come in handy!

How to Check & Measure Tire Tread Depth & Wear

The quality of this video is a bit iffy, but the content is still good. It will show you how to check and see if you need new tires this fall using some spare change. A must-see to keep your family safe on the roads!

Rustic Shabby Chic Style Command Station Organization Ideas

There are a TON of Command Station videos on Youtube. Frankly, they all felt rather useless to me. What use is a single 15 minute video about a single family’s command center? Not much.

On the other hand, a 3 minute video that shows LOTS of people’s family command centers….that’s helpful. Surely, one or two of these ideas will work in your house! (Perhaps. And don’t call me Shirley…)

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