Home Organizing - Labeling

Ok so this will be a short post.  Today a post on how to teach your family where everything goes came to mind but I decided that I needed to do a short post on clear labeling first. (The other post will follow soon!!)

So in order to make everyone including yourself successful in putting things back WHERE THEY GO, everything needs to be labeled clearly.  Don't deceive yourself into thinking that you will remember what is in there - YOU WON'T.  So here are some ideas for labeling and you can pick what works for you.

1. If you have small children it is best to do both picture and word labels.  This makes them successful.  You can do this one of two ways.  1) lay the contents of the box out and take a picture of it and laminate the pic and tape it to the box. 2.) Find a clip art of what is in the box and print it with the word below it on a label or a piece of paper and laminate it and tape it to the box.  You don't necessarily have to do this if the boxes you have a clear because they can see what is in there but the box needs to always have word labels on it regardless.  Trust me it makes life easier.

2. If you have the right kind of basket - woven, some fabric, etc you can take an object in the bin and tie it to a ribbon and attach it to the basket.  This is more cute than functional but it will work if you won't it cute.

3. Same baskets as #2, or wire shelving (like a pantry or the top of a closet) you can use "Hang tags"  They are little white shapes with a metal lining around them and they are attached to a Key like ring.  You would thread the ring through the shelf or basket if it will work.  This looks really cute in a wire shelf pantry.

4. Your basic label maker of file folder labels will also work great.

This should be enough to get the ball rolling.

Also, here are some other tips for those of you that may be anal about putting things in the exact place:

1. Take a picture of the toy/object that will be completely removed from the spot (things like toys, music pieces, shape sorter, etc) and put it in the back of the shelf or on the bottom of the shelf so everyone knows were it goes.  a note of warning though: this degree of analness (is that a word?) does not set anyone up for success.  You will always be frustrated and very seldom will you get to tell your toddler or you husband - thank you it looks great and really mean it.  So think about letting up a bit and shoot for teaching them the right shelf or general vicinity and learn to let it go!!!!!

I think that is all I can think of to help for now.  Hope these are helping