A Growing Family and a Little Grace
Mother smiling at her youngest child on a sofa while two older children enjoy snacks nearby.
If you’ve ever held your new baby, looked around at the laundry and dishes, and wondered how you were going to get everything done, I remember that feeling. Many of our clients are new parents. Some are welcoming their first baby; others are caring for a newborn while a toddler needs them, too. Even when you’ve done this before, life with children at different ages can feel entirely new.
One Day at a Time
When all three of my children were under three years old, I asked my minister how I could get it all done. I wanted to be as productive, organized, and tidy as I had been before.
She gave me these words:
“One day at a time. That which is mine. All in good time.”
I’ve carried them with me ever since.
At that moment, they gave me permission to breathe. To look at the day in front of me and say, “I’ll do what I can.”
When your family grows, the work of caring for your home changes along with it. An organizing system that worked beautifully before may need a little adjusting. Today, having diapers within reach and a clear place to prepare a meal may make more of a difference than getting every piece of laundry folded.
There is room for your definition of an organized home to change with the season you’re in.
That Which Is Mine
This is the part I’ve carried into my organizing work for 30 years: that which is mine.
When everything feels like your responsibility, it can help to pause and ask, “What here truly needs me?”
Some decisions belong to you. You may need to choose which baby keepsakes you want to save or explain what would make your morning routine easier. But once you’ve made those decisions, someone else may be able to label the keepsake box, put away supplies, or clear the kitchen counter.
The same idea applies to meals, laundry, and everyday home care. There may be more room to share the work than you realize.
If someone offers help, give them a specific task: “Would you wash these bottles?” or “Could you put clean sheets on the bed?” A clear request makes it easier for someone to step in.
And when we work with a family, that’s part of our role, too. We help identify where their input matters, then handle the organizing work they’re ready to hand over.
You can care deeply about your home and welcome help caring for it.
All in Good Time
“All in good time.” “All in God’s time.” Whatever words bring you peace, let them remind you that everything doesn’t need to happen today.
You’re still you, with all the abilities and experience you had before this baby arrived. Your days simply hold more now. Caring for a newborn, responding to a toddler, and finding a moment to eat or rest all take time and attention.
Give yourself permission to choose something small. Refill the diaper basket. Make one frequently used drawer easier to open. Set up a place for the things you reach for during a feeding.
Then let that be enough for now.
A home can support your family while some baskets remain unfolded and some projects wait. Each small change that makes your day easier has value.
Those few words from my minister still bring me comfort, and I hope they offer you a little breathing room, too. You can build a home that works for this season of your life, one manageable step at a time. For more practical organizing tips and gentle encouragement along the way, follow me online. I’d love to keep sharing what helps.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Gustavo Fring @gustavo-fring
