Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Laundry talk

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Let’s talk laundry! And, yes, that’s a live look into my laundry room.

I’m thankful to have a laundry room separated from the rest of my house. I can even close the door when I want to ignore the chore! The room is mostly dedicated to actual laundry, although the same room also houses a utility sink, our extra fridge of mostly drinks, and shelves with cleaning supplies. It’s right by the door people use, so it’s a convenient, functional space that works for our life. 

Certain things make a laundry room most effective: storage spaces, the right appliances, and a safe space for manuals (so you know where to look when your washing machine won’t spin correctly!). 

Quality machines

I replaced my washer and dryer a few years ago, and I got a deep washer that allows me to do large loads of laundry. I got the matching dryer that also accommodates the large loads. The side-by-side option works great in my space, but considering stacking appliances is also a good way to go for a smaller space.  

Counter space

I had a counter installed in my laundry room a couple of years ago, and it truly makes folding laundry much better! On a good day, I can fold as the loads finish in the dryer. Or I can pile the load for when I have time to deal with it. This counter space keeps me from piling the clothes elsewhere in the house while they await my attention! I even use the counter/bench space to organize socks – especially when the loose socks bin is too full for my liking!

Great storage

My counter is the right height for my laundry baskets to fit underneath it. I also have shelves above my washer and dryer for the detergent, stain sprays, sock bins, beach towels when it’s not pool season, and other household supplies. 

Baskets

Each person has a laundry basket for dirty laundry in their bedroom and then brings their dirty clothes to a laundry basket in the laundry room. Plus there’s a basket in the laundry room for towels. I wash laundry by person, so the sorting is done on the front end. Then when the clothes are washed, dried, and folded, my kids can put theirs away! 

Hanging space

Near the counter is also a space for hang-up clothes. I find it I hang shirts, dresses, and Greg’s work pants as they come out of the dryer, everybody’s wardrobe looks better. I don’t like to iron, so this is an important step for me! 

What about your space helps you tackle this chore?

I won’t go as far as to say the laundry room is my favorite room in the house, but it’s definitely practical and I’m grateful for the space to serve my family this way. And if you’ve been here, you’ve probably grabbed a cold drink from the extra fridge. 

Now, it’s time to go move around some loads and tidy that counter space!

How to organize your home

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I love order more than everyone else in my family, but life is busy and messy. Even so, I’m always trying to implement habits and routines that help bring the chaos of five people living together under one roof to some kind of structure. 

Create Positive Morning Routines

Oh, this may be the hardest habit to create here. A couple of the extreme extroverts love the mornings. They sing and play and pester those of us who aren’t as chipper in the morning. My work-before-play is also in full force each morning. 

Even so, creating a positive morning routine for the whole family is definitely a must when you want to enjoy your time together and set yourselves up for the day ahead. We cross paths in the kitchen as we’re eating breakfast and packing lunches or snacks for the day. One kid doesn’t come out of her room until she’s ready to leave. The youngest has to be kept on task the most. 

But one thing that has been good for all of us is reading a devotion together once we’re in the minivan together on the way to school. We worked our way through “Roar Like a Lion” by Levi Lusko recently and it helped us individually and collectively so much as it prompted conversations about home and school life. (Here’s a review I wrote about “Roar Like a Lion.”)

Put events on a calendar

Using a noticeboard in the family home is definitely something that you should think about doing if you want to make sure that your whole family stays on track. It takes a little bit of the chaos and confusion out of the equation if you know when upcoming events and appointments are. Right now, my kindergartner likes to mark off the days on the wall calendar we have hanging in our kitchen. It helps give her some perspective on days. 

A shared Google Calendar has greatly improved the communication between Greg and me. I can see his work calendar and add things he needs to know about to our family calendar. He can choose whether to see my own personal appointments and commitments. It’s definitely been a good way to keep us on the same scheduling page. 

Make meal plans

I like to meal plan, and I like to ask my husband and kids for their ideas while I’m making that plan. Sometimes they have really good food inspiration! Planning meals makes our afternoons flow a little easier. Often, I plan a few different meals with the freedom to swamp which day I use them. If I know I’m going to have to leave for an evening meeting or prep dinner quickly after soccer practice, I may plan a Crock Pot meal. 

Clean out regularly

Clutter stresses me out. Often I have a pile of items to donate going. I’ll toss in clothes the kids have outgrown or items we no longer need. You can sell Barbies and other old toys that are no longer used by your older kids as you get rid of clothes that are now too small.

Give belongings homes

“Each thing has a home” and “Like items go together” are things I’m often telling my kids. Books go with books. Clothes with clothes. Toiletries in the bathroom. Shoes in the closet. Jackets on the coat rack. For a long time, we stored wintry accessories in a catch-all storage closet, but then I realized making them more accessible in the drawers in our foyer meant people would be quicker to put away their hats and gloves. 

The world is messy, so having a structured home is efficient and brings peace. Routines help bring about that order in ways that work for your family.

How to have family time on busy days

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In this house, we have five people with five different schedules. Sometimes those schedules overlap and sometimes they don’t. We’ve got three extroverts, one lingering right between extrovert and introvert, and one introvert. So many preferences and personalities happen when five people live together. Add in appointments and activities, and finding family time can be difficult. Plus for the past five weeks, my mother-in-law has been staying with us while she works through some health troubles. 

We believe making time for each other, especially during busy times, is important. Here are four ways to bring your loved ones closer during hectic days. 

Have regular family dinners

This is one of our favorite ways to spend time together. I’d prefer every night to be a home-cooked meal that my oldest daughter or husband helps prepare. But that just isn’t our reality right now. Our dinner together might be chicken nuggets in the air fryer, a Red Baron pizza heated in the oven, or a drive-thru meal during soccer practice. We had an omelet bar last night for dinner, which meant everybody got what they wanted in their eggs and us parents got to cook together. Perhaps I’ll try this crispy baked pulled pork recipe soon. 

I’ve had to reshape my views of family dinner, but it remains one of my favorite ways to connect with my people. In fact, I wrote a whole book about how gathering and nourishing loved ones change lives. I’m thankful that happens here in our home – or on the go together – most every night. 

Play family games together

Games are a great way to have fun and bond with your loved ones. Truly, there are so many good games out there – card games, board games, and video games. We like to take turns picking which game we’ll play because everybody has different favorites. We don’t do many video games, but we do like the original Wii for Wii Sports and Wheel of Fortune! Game Nights foster opportunities for inside jokes, healthy competition, and connections that go beyond the score. (Here are some of our favorites!)

Stay involved in your kids’ activities

One way to spend time with your kids and show them that you care is by getting involved in their activities. Our kids’ soccer and basketball games are family events. It takes special circumstances for one of my kids to miss their siblings’ event. It’s just not an option because we value doing things together as a family. Of course, now that our kids are getting older, they have some of their own commitments that sometimes cause scheduling conflicts. 

Getting involved in your child’s hobbies and interests is a great way to connect with them and support them at the same time. The times are one way we spend family time together, but they also help foster community outside the home with other families who enjoy some of the same activities.  

Make time for yourself

Being able to work part-time from home allows me to have some time for myself to regroup and be ready for our busy evenings. I’m thankful for that kind of balance in my life. I know if I’m constantly running around trying to take care of everyone else, I will get burnt out eventually. I make sure to schedule regular preventative medical appointments, see a counselor when I need to process the chaos of life, and treat myself to massages. I also enjoy lunches and walks with friends. And y’all know I like to read. 

Yes, we live a busy life. Yes, I sometimes wish it would slow down. But I also want to make the most of the season we’re in – right here, right now with my people.