The Dooley Method is a connection-first home organizing approach created by Ann Dooley
Ann guides parents in organizing with kids, not just for them—building skills, confidence, and internal motivation while reducing conflict caused by clutter.
Many parents, often the moms, reach out to Ann because they feel overwhelmed and frustrated by endless clutter and the mental load of managing it all.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve tried to organize with your family, with little success
Clutter leaves you feeling stressed, angry, or resentful
You take on the work yourself because it feels easier
You feel exhausted and unsure how to move forward
You find yourself yelling, bribing, or negotiating just to get cooperation
If so, you’re not alone.
This is exactly where many families begin.
What is the Dooley Method?
The Dooley Method is a connection-first home organizing method created by Ann Dooley. It’s built on the understanding that lasting change at home requires more than good intentions—it depends on having the right method, the right skills, and internal motivation working together.
What makes the Dooley Method unique is its focus on helping families move away from bribes, threats, and short-term fixes. Instead, it supports parents and children in learning how to care for their home together in a way that feels calm, capable, and sustainable.
How the Dooley Method came to be
I didn’t set out to create a method. I was looking for relief.
I grew up in a cluttered home where tough love and earning approval were common, and organizing became a way for me to find calm. It worked—until I became a parent. I was constantly playing catch-up to maintain order, and carrying that responsibility alone left me feeling stressed, angry, and increasingly distant from my children.
When I began noticing the same pattern in the families I worked with—parents and children at odds and unable to break the cycle—I saw the need to address the disconnect. I bridged that gap the same way I did in my own family: by placing connection first and bringing the whole family into the process. That approach became the foundation of the Dooley Method, where responsibility can grow without blame or shame.
A family’s Dooley Method story
How the Dooley Method supports your family
When clutter stops running the show, families notice it in small ways first. There's more breathing room in the mornings. Less to manage means less to argue about. Kids start to feel capable rather than nagged. Families who work through the Dooley Method often describe feeling:
More energy for what actually matters
More clarity and peace of mind with less visual noise
More physical space for play, rest, and connection
More connection as emotional space opens up
More steady, less reactive, more present
More intentional in what enters the home
From parents who felt the shift
-
“It was incredible working with Ann. My family has put what she has taught us into practice. My kids have been helping to pick up items and putting them where they belong. I can’t thank her enough!”
R, parent of 4
-
"Ann has inspired me to restart my parenting journey. I saw myself turning into a raging mom, angry that I spend so much time cleaning up. After learning from Ann, I finally connected with myself and my kids authentically."
D, parent of 2
-
"We really can’t thank Ann enough! This has been a life-changing improvement and such valuable lessons on how to set up our home for success, and to think twice about what we bring in and how to let go."
M, parent of 3
-
“Thank you so much! You are a gift to my familiy. You’ve helped me turn over a new leaf! Thank you! We are so grateful for our new life! You’ve blessed our family with a priceless gift of a lifetime!"
J, parent of 1
-
“Thank you so much, Ann! This was such an incredible experience and we are forever grateful. My kids are happier, our home is calmer, and my marriage has improved too! I can’t believe how much changed”
A, parent of 2
-
"I always negotiated with my kids to get stuff done. Ann helped me realize that I was not teaching them to take personal responsibility. It's been life changing. Thank you!"
R, parent of 2
3 Ways to Learn the Dooley Method
Parent Circle
Self-paced + guidance + accountability
A good choice if your family:
Prefers a digital format
Benefits from steady participation and support
Wants to work with Ann on an as-needed basis
What's included:
Full Dooley Method Course Library — video lessons, ebook, and worksheets
Live co-working sessions and Q&A
Chat access
One annual 2-hour virtual tidying session with Ann ($275 value)
10% off additional 1:1 sessions
When you select "Join Parent Circle," you'll be redirected to the Dooley Noted subscription plans page. Select PARENT CIRCLE and follow the checkout process.
Your family is unique. Just like some people work out to a video and others prefer having a coach, I am offering options to meet the learning styles, capacity and preference you feel most comfortable with.
But no matter where you start, I'm right alongside you.
1:1 Coaching
Hands-on learning
in-home or virtual +
Check-Ins
A good choice if your family:
Wants personalized support built around your home, your kids, and your schedule
Wants to make real-time progress and live troubleshooting
What's included:
A family consultation to get everyone on the same page
Learning organizing skills and cooperation in real time
Systems your family can maintain long after the session
Unlimited email follow-ups for continued support
In-home sessions are available in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Virtual sessions are available anywhere. Click the button below and you’ll be taken to the Private Session Service Page.
Dooley Method Book
Self-paced +
Videos + Worksheets
Free consultation
A good choice if your family:
Likes to have a physical book to reference anytime and add your own sticky notes
Self-motivated or wants to try it first
What's included:
The Dooley Method book with worksheets.
Topics include: how to declutter with confidence, organize your home with purpose, learn to accumulate with intention, and shift from scarcity to growth mindset—plus practical examples and language to foster internal motivation.
QR-linked video lessons
A complimentary 30-minute welcome call with Ann to help you get started
If you’d like to purchase the book, you'll be redirected to my publisher to complete your order.
The Dooley Method was developed with children ages 3–12 in mind — whether they let go easily or hold on to everything. The earlier families begin, the more naturally these habits take root. Babies are always welcome in the room so they can watch and learn!