Hi Everyone,
Are you enjoying the changing colors of autumn? Back when I lived in California, I had never seen the beauty of the fall foliage. That’s definitely something I’m grateful for living on the east coast now, because seeing the passage of time in our surroundings is a quiet reminder to appreciate how far we've come since January.
Recent celebration worth noting
First, a quick look back.
I’m very proud of a second collaboration with Early Childhood educator, Lara, of The Parenting Tree, to look at 8 household tasks you can do with your children at home, through two lenses: The developmental appropriateness of each task from Lara, plus my practical how-to. The infographics Lara created made it so much easier for parents to learn.
On a personal level, I’m excited to be celebrating my 25th year wedding anniversary. Two grown kids and a dog later, we still make each other laugh so hard that tears come out. What’s our secret? Even during tough times, we never lost hope that we could work things out. And more times than not, what upsets us had more to do with how we were raised to handle conflicts differently from one another. And connection and communication are still the foundation to a strong relationship.
A challenge worth noting
I’m currently working with a client who is starting over after a big life change. She’s moving into a 300 square foot apartment with her young son, and we’re doing it across a 12-hour time difference.
It’s been a very collaborative process, which is so essential in creating a home that works for the people who will be living in it. And no matter the size of the home, it can still hold a whole life with intention for ease, comfort, and a sense of safety.
I look forward to sharing our journey in a future series when our work is done.
A commitment worth noting
I’ve been sitting with this for a while now, and I’m ready to share it.
So much of the conversation around home organizing focuses on the kids — getting them to participate, follow through, let go of things. But the parents are carrying something too. The mental load, the resentment, the feeling of being the only one who notices.
The Dooley Method was always designed for the whole family. I’m going to make that more visible, with articles that address the parents working together to support the children.
That's where the Dooley Method Library comes in. It’s a resource intended for those motivated to do the method at their own pace. Everything from addressing motivation in children, to the practical how-to organize your pantry. My best tips are all at your fingertips.
One final note
Many parents come to me after years of trying to figure it out on their own, but for some reason the clutter returns after just a few weeks or even days of relief. Some start to feel like “what’s the point?” and resign to living with the mess.
If that sounds familiar, I’d love to spend 15 minutes exploring what’s actually getting in the way for your family and give you an exit off of the hamster wheel.
❤️
Happy 25th anniversary! Love the shift toward supporting parents' mental load, not just kids. That 300-sq-ft move sounds like a beautiful challenge, can't wait to see how it unfolds.
Happy anniversary. I love your focus on the whole family in your work and how you help parents. I look forward to reading more!