Questions and Answers

Q: How do I hire you to come to my house?

A: Call me for a telephone consultation where I will discuss my custom-made, personalized service for your home and home office.  You can describe what your needs are, and I will walk you through the steps of how my services will help you.



Q:  Can you help me with my closets and kids' toys?  There are so many messy areas in my home.

A:  Yes, I have the experience (mother of seven) and expertise to help you in all areas of your home.



Q:  Do you help with time management?  I am always late and forgetting things.

A.  Yes, I will show you smart systems and fool-proof  ways to be organized and save time




Q: I have such trouble getting my kids to school on time in the morning. What can you suggest to make the early morning rush, well...less rushed?

A: Getting children ready for school begins the night before.  Everything needs a schedule and a time management system.  As soon as the children get home from school, you should have a flexible schedule set up.  Have snack or dinner ready, followed by a schedule of winding-down time, homework, dinner, bath and bedtime stories or reading.  Many parents will have children listen to music before bedtime.  Turn off the lights in the kitchen, and let the family know that the kitchen is "closed" for the night.  This will prevent "midnight" snacking and eating.  Lay out clothes for the morning dress and backpacks at the front door.  Having lunches made ahead of time will cut the rush in the morning.  Plan as much as you can the night before so the morning rush is limited.


Q: I have been working on making sure my house is cleaner, but I find myself always working and cleaning it. What a drag! What can I do to have a clean house, but not feel like a constant maid?

A: Create a place for everything and keep everything in its place.  Take the extra minute to put things back right away so you don't have to do it later.  Many of the cluttered items are there because you neglected to put them away at the time they were finished being used.  Try to stay one step ahead of yourself and anticipate your needs.  The truth is,  having children is a lot of work, and you have to realize that you will be constantly cleaning.  Just try to use some short cuts!


Q: What are some tips for de-cluttering your home?

 A:  1. Whenever you walk through a room in your home, take something that doesn't belong there and put it in the correct room.  Never leave a room empty handed..
        2. Try to throw away five items in your home each day.  Even if that means just a empty envelope or old magazine.  Encourage your family and children to do the same. 
        3.  Designate an hour each week to just de-clutter (getting rid of something that you don't need). Put a bag or bin in your closet or garage and add to it each week.  Have in mind that if you don't need it someone else will.  Giving is a good middah (character trait) and will make someone happy.
       4.  Reward yourself each time you clean or de-clutter your home. Pick a different day to do different rooms.
       5.  Only spend 15 minutes each day doing something that will make your home simpler.   Remember: Less is More!
       6. Use it or lose it.  If it is broken or damaged or useless...let it go!

   
Q: How can I get my children involved in helping with housework?

 A: 1.  Create a chore chart with each child's name next to the chore.  Don't overwhelm the child.  One chore a night would be great.  Give a reward of genuine praise.
      2.  Make a "bean jar" reward system.  Take a empty jar of jam.  Clean it out and buy a bag of lima beans.  Each time your child does a chore or good task. (i.e.  make their bed, clean the table, put away their toys, clear the table) give them a bean to put in the jar.  When the jar is full, reward the child (or the whole team) with a prize. Take children out to ice cream or dinner if they are older.
     3.  Create a "dial"  on a piece of paper with their names on the outside circle and the chores on the inner.  Turn the dial each night and change the task or chore so the whole family gets to try different tasks.
     4.  Do the chore together. Teach them how to cook, do laundry, dust.  But do it together with music.  Set a time limit.  Plus verbal praise.


Q: Both my husband and I work full-time. Making time to cook a healthy dinner is not always easy. Can you suggest any time saving tips?

  A:
1.  Use a crock pot for dinner meals.  Before you go to work in the morning (you can plan and put the food in the pot the night before and store in the refrigerator) set up the crock pot and put it on high or low for the whole day.  I make a chicken soup with a lot of chicken and different vegetables, and when I come home at night the house smells great, and we all have a hot delicious dinner.
     2. Buy frozen vegetables at Trader Joe's or the market and make a big pot of soup and  have it for the week, or divide it in portions and freeze for the month. 
     3.  Cook in bulk. When you make chicken, make three different tins and freeze them. 
     4.  Create a schedule of menus for the week and plan your meals for each night.  For example, in my home we had a schedule for each night.  On Mondays we had  soup, salad, pasta, garlic bread; on Tuesday, we had fish, rice green beans/peas, and stir fry vegetables; Wednesday, we had hamburger, barbecue chicken or Chinese chicken, with rice and salad: on Thursdays, we had pizza and macaroni and cheese (I tried to teach how to make dinner that night).  Friday was the big Shabbos meal with plenty for leftovers for Sunday night.  Each week we would repeat the menu with a few changes.  This enabled me to plan my shopping menu, and I never ran out of ideas or food.  The children loved knowing what they were having each night in advance and they picked this menu.
     5.  Have a family meeting and take a poll of what your  family likes to eat.  Don't let them say, "pizza and hot dogs."  They have to be creative: hamburgers on a stick,  pasta with vegetable. 
     6.  Breakfast food can be dinner also.  Don't under-estimate the fun of having french toast or pancakes for dinner.  Spanish omelets are also quick and nutritious.  
     7.  Plan the dinner the night before.  In the morning, put it on a timer in the oven while you are at work.

Each month, I will post answers to organizing questions I have received. Please send questions to: tradhomorg@aol.com