Creating a Home Command Center for Your Family

Home command centers are one of the newest organizing concepts. Our lives are busier than ever and the traditional family dinner where we used to share family news is a thing of the past as we run to and from. It's easy to toss papers on a kitchen countertop but who knows it's there, or what needs to get done?

That's why it's important to create a “Home Command Center” for your family, so everyone can see at a glance, where others are and what each person needs to get done today. An added benefit is …

On a Clear Day, You Can See Your Counter Tops

Don't we all want clear countertops, and the ability to find important papers in an instant? If you haven't created a home or family command center, and you're struggling with where to put all the stuff that comes into the home every day, read on.

Every Family Needs a Home Command Center

As a mother of three grown kids and the wife of a retired career military officer, I look back over the years and remember the daily challenges of getting the kids off to school every day, keeping a clean and organized house, driving to various extracurricular activities, and keeping multiple schedules straight. Let’s be honest; it’s a tough job!

Most mothers prefer to not consider their role of a mom as the Home CEO. Having the right tools to help you organize your time and household will not only make your job easier, it will reduce your stress and provide more quality time with your family.

You need the right space and tools. Every professional knows that without the right tools and preparation it is hard to execute their daily responsibilities effectively and efficiently. A doctor needs a good stethoscope to listen to a patient’s heart; a chef only uses good quality knives; and a mechanic cannot fix a car without a good socket set.

Tips to Create Your Family's Home Command Center

Do you have time management and space organization tools in place in your home to set your family up for success? Most households have what I like to call the “Dumping Zone.” Papers, mail, bills to pay, kids’ homework or projects and other stuff piles up here, and it becomes an overwhelming task to sort through it all.

Creating a “Home Command Center” isn't hard but it can feel overwhelming when you don't know where to start. Here are some simple and easily implemented tools every household can use to create an efficient and clutter free home command center, where you can manage your children’s activities, arrange appointments, pay bills on time, note important dates, and even manage a home-based business.

• To get started, choose the perfect location for your Home Command Center. It could be on a kitchen counter top, a spot in the family room or a bedroom, or even in your home office. Tell your family the location and include your children in the process of building the center. Learning organizing skills at a young age will serve your children well in the future.
• Place a trash can and paper shredder near your home command center. Open your mail next to the trash can and toss away envelopes, inserts, and junk mail immediately. Shred any documents you receive containing personal information if you do not plan to file them.
• Buy some “In/Out/File” trays at your local office supplies store. Place unprocessed mail and papers in the “In” tray. Use the “Out” tray for out-going mail or items you need to take with you to appointments. The “File” tray is only for papers that need to be filed away in your file drawer.
• Get a calendar in a style that works for you (daily, weekly, or monthly view). Note all birthdays, events, project deadlines, children’s activities, bill deadlines, etc. as soon as you learn of them. In addition to my personal calendar that I carry with me, I found putting a monthly calendar with large squares on the refrigerator worked great. All appointments, activities, and events were on the calendar. As the kids got older, they were responsible for putting their activities on the calendar so we avoided scheduling conflicts. Note: I did try color coding for each child, but the pens kept disappearing!
• Establish a Contact Management System in your home command center. You might use a Roladex, an address book, an email manager such as Outlook, and even smart phones are now used.
• Use a hanging file box for to organize your papers. A hanging file box keeps papers neat and easily retrievable. I love to use different colored folders and you can complement your décor with an Alpha-Omega Organizer^®, which is the only desktop paper filing system on the market that will assist you in organizing your time sensitive documents and schedules.

 It is never too late to create a well-organized household in which your family can live and thrive. Set aside time to put the right tools in place and you will benefit from a less stressful life and enjoy more time with your family.

Where's your home command center located?