Dear FlyLady,

Thank you for making the Before Bed routine the focus this month.  I am a Payroll SHE with a DH, a DD (13) and two DS (9 and 6).  The before bed routine is a must when all of us need to be out the door by 8, the kids out for the bus by 7:30.

Before the kids go to bed, they place their “lunch orders” If they are taking a packed lunch, we set out the lunch box and add the juice box, the chips and the dessert. They then put a small sticky note on the top that says what sandwich they want, so I can make it in the morning.  Then I put the sticky note on the fridge door so they can reuse it.  The boys have an organizer in their closet that holds clothes for Monday thru Friday. We load this on Sunday afternoon, so we are good to go for a whole week!.

My DS (9) plays football and practices are in the early evening.  He comes home, takes a shower, and wants Mom to stay in the bathroom in case he needs help. So while I stood outside the shower I thought, why not do a swish and swipe in this bathroom right now?!  So four nights a week, I swish and swipe the kids bathroom, and it has made a huge difference!   So on the weekends, I only have the shower to clean.

I just want to say thank you for reminding me that I don’t have to clean my house in one giant, mad frenzy. I can have a clean house by doing small things everyday.

FlyBaby Julie in Hart, MI

FlyLady here: Our habit for September is doing your Before Bed Routine.

 Have you built your control journal? Has your perfectionism stopped you from even trying?

I totally understand.

Have you built your control journal? Has your perfectionism stopped you from even trying? I totally understand. This is why we made one for you.

Do you have a story or tips that will help other FlyBabies with this habit? Please send them to FlyLady@FlyLady.net with MY BEFORE BED ROUTINE SAVES ME in the subject line.