Endorsements
Getting organized and staying organized is paramount to success in all aspects of life. This book nails it! Especially for busy moms!
Chalene Johnson , New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and founder of Smart Life Movement and 131 Method
As a mother of seven, I can attest to a universal mom fact: the struggle to organize the mayhem is real. Kristi Clover gets it, and not only does she offer dozens of practical, simple ways to calm the clutter and reclaim your joy but she reminds moms of this important truth: everything is going to be okay . Thanks, Kristi! I needed this book!
Heidi St. John , speaker, author of the Becoming MomStrong series, and founder of MomStrong International
Keeping everything in order on my never-ending to-do list of motherhood can feel hopeless! In M. O. M. Master Organizer of Mayhem , Kristi Clover takes what seems overwhelmingly impossible and breaks it down into step-by-step systems to help busy moms like me get organized! I love this highly practical and personal resource! It is so needed for moms today.
Ruth Schwenk , founder of TheBetterMom.com, author of The Better Mom Devotional , and coauthor of Pressing Pause and Settle My Soul
Everyone desires a home that radiates peace, joy, and love, yet too often the stuff of life takes over, cluttering every flat surface and every crevice of our hearts. With wisdom, humor, and grace, Kristi Clover provides practical advice for busy, overwhelmed moms. She offers numerous ideas on how to discover organization techniques that work for your life, based on your priorities. Spending time within the pages of this book is like spending time with an organizational coach, friend, and cheerleader all wrapped up into one. I highly recommend this book!
Tricia Goyer , USA Today bestselling author of over seventy books, including Calming Angry Kids
A messy home can make a mess out of a mom. We know its true. For years weve been ministering to parents who struggle with anger at home each messy, chaotic day. Over and over again weve heard that a messy house can be Moms biggest trigger, which is why were so excited about this new book! Kristi Clover doesnt just tell us how to keep a tidy house but explains why bringing order to the chaos is so important for the whole family. With personal stories that will keep you laughing (and turning the pages), Kristi teaches us simple solutions to bring order and joy into our home lives again.
Amber Lia and Wendy Speake , authors of Triggers: Exchanging Parents Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses and Parenting Scripts
Imagine if you were friends with someone who could help you reset the crazy in your life. Kristi Clover is that friend! In this joy-filled, practical, and easy-to-read book, youll discover life-changing organizational secrets that can help make your life simply joyful.
Rhonda Stoppe , the No Regrets Woman, author of Moms Raising Sons to Be Men and The Marriage Mentor
I wish I had this book years ago. With five children and a busy schedule, I have always struggled with efficient home organization. With Kristis relatable encouragement, Ive already gleaned so many practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. M. O. M. Master Organizer of Mayhem is a book that everyone can benefit from, no matter the ages of your children.
Jen Schmidt , author of Just Open the Door , host of the Becoming Conference, and blogger at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Kristi is a breath of fresh air in this space! In this book she not only is your biggest cheerleader but also actually equips you with tactics and tools to succeed at managing the chaos. Youll finish it feeling encouraged and inspireda must-read for modern mamas!
Angela Braniff , mom of seven and creator of This Gathered Nest
As a mother of five adult children, I know firsthand how important it is and how challenging it can be to organize and manage a home. In my experience, trying to get everything in its place can be downright frustrating at times. In M. O. M. Master Organizer of Mayhem , Kristi gently takes moms by the hand and guides them step-by-step through the why and how of organizing. She takes complicated ideas and simplifies them. Her wit and humor, along with her transparency, will help mothers at any stage of parenting bring order to their life and home. I highly encourage mothers to read this book.
Connie Albers , author of Parenting Beyond the Rules
Title Page
Copyright Page
2019 by Kristi Clover
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1919-7
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Dedication
To my incredible husband, Steve.
There is no one Id rather have by my side
on this journey of life. I love you immeasurably.
To our amazing kids,
Grant, Blake, Wade, Ashlyn, and Caitlyn,
without whom I wouldnt carry the title
of mom (or M.O.M.). You and your dad
are the greatest blessings in my life.
I love you so much!
To my lifelong encourager, Mom.
Its because of your love and belief in me
that I dared to dream big.
What a blessing you are to me!
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
The Struggle Is Real! Motherhood Changes Everything
1. Embracing Your Inner Organizer: Discovering Your Hidden Potential
Phase I: The Foundation Ten Simple Rules That Will Change Your Home Life
2. Rule #1: Use the Glean and Tweak Technique: Dont Start from Scratch
3. Rule #2: Dont Forget Your Top Priorities: Choosing Which Balls to Drop
4. Rule #3: Take Baby Steps: Slow and Steady for the Win
5. Rule #4: Do Your Worst Thing First!: Attacking the Projects We Tend to Put Off
6. Rule #5: Clear the Clutter: Rethinking Our Relationship with Stuff
7. Rule #6: Get Your Groove On: The Power of Routines and Habits
9. Rule #8: Ask for Help: Bring on the Cavalry
10. Rule #9: Dont Eat of the Bread of Idleness: Overcoming Laziness and Avoidance
11. Rule #10: Stick with It!: Getting Organization to Stick
Phase II: The Framework The Systems That Will Make Your Home More Efficient
12. Decluttering Systems: Easy Steps for Crushing the Clutter
13. Organizing Systems: Solutions for Getting Your Whole House in Order
14. Storage Systems: Maximizing Your Storage Space
15. Chore Systems: Training Kids to Help
16. Kitchen Systems: Organization and Meal Planning Systems
17. Laundry Systems: Unburying Yourself from the Piles
Phase III: The Finishing Touches Bringing It All Together to Create a Home You Love!
18. Making Your Home Both Functional and Fabulous: Breathing Life and Beauty into Your Home
Take Note!
Acknowledgments
About the Author