To kick off the new year, we’re sharing a weekly word-of-the-week inspired by our go-to organizing principles.

Week two is Boundaries.

For parents, many of our basic boundaries have been shattered in the past year. In our efforts to evolve we’ve tried creating schedules, imposing screen time limits, setting up new home offices, or using noise-cancelling headphones…some efforts may be sticking while others have had to go out the window. Through my organizing work, I am essentially creating boundaries around our things and space. It’s clear from all the time I’ve spent working with families that certain boundaries need to evolve over time, as our circumstances change, and just as rapidly as our kids grow. This perspective has offered a new framework for thinking about boundaries, and how they can be applied in life. So now, at the start of a new year, during a time when we need boundaries more than ever, I’m paying attention to where opportunities exist to set new boundaries.

Here’s what I know about the many ways we can set boundaries in our homes:

We put gates or baby locks on areas off-limits
We stash special things (like chocolate) in hard to reach places
We establish zones oriented around specific activities
We designate areas (like bedrooms, cubbies, baskets or hooks) for specific people to take responsibility for
We label bins, drawers and shelves to group categories of related things
We use bins, baskets and cubbies (even diaper boxes, Tupperware and Ziploc bags) to keep stuff corralled

Just as they want to explore what’s behind doors, or see what’s inside containers (by dumping them out), kids find all the ways to push our personal boundaries too. They remind us why people put locks on bathroom doors and mute buttons on phones, and baffle us by somehow being more capable at daycare or school than at home.

I have put to use many tricks for containing kids clutter in the past. This week, as we juggle home school, work and ongoing housekeeping, I’m going to be observant to opportunities for more boundaries, not just around our things but our time and responsibilities too. I’ll be easy on myself knowing that many boundaries have gone out the door until the kids are back in school. But maybe (hopefully) I can uncover some new ways to make our days smoother, just as our organizing systems are the first step in empowering the kids to tidy. Here are some ideas on my mind:

Be consistent about enlisting the kids’ help. Whether it’s dishes, laundry or putting their toys away, the kids are fully capable of helping but need a nudge (or two or three).
Protect my sleep. After years of inadequate sleep, I’m really making an effort to reclaim this time at least by giving myself a consistent bedtime.
Create LEGO display shelves. Our collection has outgrown our storage space so this is a project I’ve been planning since Christmas but I’m going to finish this week.
Plan home office storage solutions. We were quick to get the big things set-up but our third bedroom-turned-office needs fine-tuning to make a place for all the little things that have migrated in there.
Use a water bottle. I’m trying to drink more water and I know that by physically having the bottle handy, I’m more likely to keep filling it up.

When the bathroom door or the cold car feel like the closest things we have to boundaries, we have nothing to lose from continuing to experiment with ways to protect the time and space we need. What boundaries have you set up that are working for you? Which ones need adjusting?

Making a place for all our things starts with taking stock of what’s there and giving key categories designated areas. Physical boundaries help bring order to chaos and simplify maintenance.

Looking for organizing solutions to contain your kids’ things and simplify maintenance? Check out our post on corralling and containing kids clutter or contact us for a quote on a personalized plan.

January Reset: Boundaries