Help! How do you stay organized with six kids.?

Question

I have 3 children of my own and just took on my best friend's three. All are under the age of 9. I am being run ragged just trying to keep up with the cooking, cleaning, laundry and keeping them entertained. There has to be a way to do it all with out all the chaos. Not to mention that I am a single working mom as well. I seem to be spending most of my time right now trying to get the house somewhat organized so everyone has space for their "things". I feel as though I am not getting anywhere. Any advice?

Answer 1

First off sit down and breathe. Than go buy a huge poster board and thin tipped markers and big long ruler. Than write out every hour of the day and the days of the week. Then make a set schedule of when things will happen and how they will happen. Then stick to that schedule!! Then buy another poster board. Write down all the kids names and what their tasks are throughout the day. The older ones should be able to help with entertainment while you get food ready and some of the middle ones should be able to help with clean up. The younger ones should have little tasks to do through out the days as well. You could write down times as well if you want. Most importantly study the show Jon and Kate plus 8. on TLC. That is a super mom. She does so good. it really is all about routine and organization though. Put the older ones to work for help!!!Good luck.

Answer 2

As a single working mom, it's going to be hard no matter what.  However, less clothing, less toys, less stuff helps a lot.  Your kids should be able to do some of the work including sorting laundry, 15 minute phantom work person, setting the table, loading the dishwasher.  Cooking is really the only thing they might not be able to do since supervision is required and height is an issue. Playclothing can be worn more than once unless it's really muddy or something. Just change underwear.

Answer 3

Wow you are a brave woman. Do you mean you took on the other 3 children forever or your just babysitting I hope!  Well either way here is my advice as a mother of four.

You need to have little bins around the house, one in each room. Anything thats does not belong in that room should go right into the bin. (you can get decorative ones so its not so cluttery and ugly feeling, I prefer baskets) So if you see something that does not belong throw it in the bin at at the end of the night have the older children take one basket and put all the little "things" you have collected all day and put them in their proper place.

As for dishes try to use paper products if possible. If not then have all children age 4 and above scrape their food off their plate into the trash can and put it in the sink. (they can do this trust me) and they think its a big kid chore and it makes them feel proud.

as for your laundry you need to get enough hooks as there are children and put them in the bathroom so that you can have them reuse towels at least two times each (they will know wich towel is theirs by the hook it is hanging on) Now onto dirty clothes you should have 4 laundry baskets colored, whites , towels , and darks (this will save you time on sorting) all kids age two and up should know colors from whites ect....) make sure they throw their soild clothes in the right hamper. Very simple and will help you a lot!

One thing to remember YOU CAN DO THIS I promise just keep your head up and always be thinking one step ahead of those little monsters lol good luck!