The ADHD Homemaker

Last night, my oldest daughter and I had a discussion about housework and organization. I don’t remember what brought it up, but we were talking about a specific time in our family’s life when everything just seemed to work.

My family remembers the house that we lived in at the time as their favorite home. We sold it and bought another one because we had outgrown it. The kids never really loved the new home, even though they had their own rooms, and looking back, I think I can see why.

When we lived in that house, my kids were 6, 5, and 2, and yet the house was always clean. Sure, it was cluttered at times with toys, but easily cleaned in a matter of minutes. I was organized - everything was in it’s place and I knew where it was. I had a schedule for doing things (that even included such tasks as washing the hairbrushes once a week) and yet I had time on my hands - time to spend with the kids, to take them to lessons, and to pursue my own interests.

Sound like a dream? It seems like one to me now. My life and house don’t run so smoothly these days, and my kids are all grown (although 2 still live at home).

The magic that made it all possible all those years ago started with a book called “Side Tracked Home Executives” by sisters Pam Young and Peggy Jones. In that book, they introduced a system based on 3 x 5 cards and a filing box, and it literally changed my life. (By the way, Pam and Peggy have a website here).

Next time, I want to tell you a little more about the system the way I used it, and I’m thinking of working on putting it to use again where we live now. I’d like you to join me, if you want. Maybe I can put together a Yahoo group if people are interested.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t do housework, the system could be easily adapted to work routines, too.