Parents know how hard it can be to get out the door with little ones. This family, with two kids under six and an active lifestyle, was no exception. Without consistent maintenance and clear boundaries for what belongs, their entry closet gradually became a catch-all.
The result was familiar to many families:
Frustration when things couldn’t be found
Stress from running late
Tension and short tempers between family members
Over time, the closet turned into a dumping ground for jackets, bags, and shoes. The mom shared that she often felt anxious about heading out with the kids.
What was working:
A hanging shoe organizer helps divide items
Hooks for easy access
Baskets for accessories
What wasn’t working:
Overpacked space, making it hard to reach anything
Set up is outdated since post-COVID lifestyle changes
What we did:
We started by completely emptying the closet and giving it a good wipe down.
Next, we sorted items based on what’s currently needed and relocated the rest to their proper homes. (Some seasonal items were moved to the garage or back to their wardrobe.) We grouped what remained by category, size, frequency of use, and accessibility—such as keeping the kids’ shoes in the bottom container for easy reach.
We also added another hanging organizer (found squished at the bottom of the closet) to hold grab-and-go items like umbrellas and wipes, and dog-walking shoes.
After reworking the closet, this family felt more at ease going out, and the parents were able to better focus on teaching their children to get ready and put away their shoes after coming home.
If your entryway has become a source of daily frustration, it might be time for a refresh, too.
More tips on chapter 23 in the Dooley Method guide, or if you are part of the Parent Circle tier subscription, share your questions in the chat!
As always, if you feel you can make more progress having a coach or accountability partner to work with you, I can help.