trying to keep smiling: quick trick, colors

I was blue,
Jenny was yellow,
Mary was red, and
Katie was green.

I still connect my three sisters and myself to those colors because way back when my mom managed a household and four little girls who were barely 6 years apart, she kept herself sane–and everyone happy–by giving us each a color.

That’s my (okay, my mom’s, that I’ve now made my own. . . ) Quick Trick today: color-coding your life.

• Color Coding Kids: It sounds nutty, cold, and maybe a little silly, but to me, it makes sense. Especially if you’re a visual-learner, this may work for you. If you give each of your kiddos a color, then your life–and theirs–might just be a little more organized.

Here’s why:

-You’ll wash fewer dishes. (Find colored cups and have your family use the same cup–rinsed out after each meal–all day. . . )

-You’ll break up fewer arguments. (No arguments over silly things–everyone uses his or her “color” of whatever. . . )

-You’ll spend less money. (You will reuse more than you thought. Everyone keeps track of his or her water bottle, snack cup, squirt toys, beach balls, etc. because you’ll know whose things are whose. . .)

-You’ll be crazy organized. (Write events on the calendar for each child–in that person’s color. File that child’s things in his or her color folder or envelope. Give yourself a color (make it bright!) and give your husband a color, too. Just don’t make everyone dress in their colors every day because that would be difficult and, well, weird. . .

-You’ll be happy. This will simplify things–hopefully–and life is easier when we keep it simple.

For this Quick Trick and for so many millions and millions and millions of other things, Mom–Thank you!!