Hey, friends! I’m so excited to share this incredible success story straight from the Systemize Your Life Academy. Amanda Rabin, one of our star students, has transformed her home with simple yet effective systems. Amanda’s story is proof that with the right tools and mindset, you can help your kids become independent, self-motivated, and even excited about contributing to the household!
Let’s dive into the details of her inspiring journey, the practical systems she’s implemented, and how you can start doing the same for your family.
Listen Below For The Entire Episode On The Systemize Your Life Podcast
Parenting is one of the most fulfilling yet challenging roles we take on. It’s a journey filled with love, learning, and a lot of trial and error. Sometimes, though, it can feel like you’re juggling so much that things are slipping through the cracks. That’s where simple, intentional solutions come in. When you focus on creating systems that work for your family, you can experience a smoother, more joyful day-to-day life.
By embracing small shifts in your routines, you can make a big impact. Whether it’s organizing your home, managing your time, or teaching your children valuable life skills, there’s always room to grow together as a family.
Meet Amanda: A Busy Mom and Therapist
Amanda is a school therapist and a mom of three kids (ages ranging from preschool to first grade). Like so many of us, she felt overwhelmed juggling her career and family responsibilities. But once she discovered the Systemize Your Life program, everything started to change.
Through intentional planning and consistent use of the systems she learned in our program, Amanda has created a structure in her home where everyone knows their role, including her kids.
Her secret? Simple systems that emphasizes independence, fun, and a sense of responsibility, and a clear understanding of what to expect.
How Amanda’s System Works
#1: Start Tracking Patterns and Symptoms
Amanda began by creating a simple chart to track her daily patterns and symptoms. For instance, she noted when she experienced headaches or cramps and linked them to specific times of the day or activities, like working out. Over time, this tracking helped her predict how she would feel on different days and plan accordingly.
Example:
She used a habit tracker with space to jot down notes, turning it into a customized symptom tracker. For instance, she might write:
- Monday: Worked out at 10 AM, felt tired by 2 PM.
- Thursday: Headache after eating late lunch.
Quick Action Tip:
Start with a notebook or use a digital tracker app to record how you feel throughout the day. Include physical symptoms, energy levels, or emotional states. After a week, review your notes to identify patterns.
Related: Transform Your Planner Into A Powerful Self-Care Tool
The most important step is to start. No system is perfect at first, but with consistency, it becomes second nature.
#2: Create Systems That Fit Your Life
Once she identified patterns, Amanda built systems to manage them effectively. For example, knowing her energy peaks and dips, she adjusted her workload and household routines around those times. She also involved her kids in age-appropriate ways to manage household responsibilities.
Example:
She made a chore chart for her kids, tailored to their ages. For her 7-year-old, it might include:
- Putting away toys.
- Tidying their room.
For her older child, it included tasks like taking out the trash or organizing snacks.
Quick Action Tip:
Think about one recurring task in your life that feels overwhelming. Create a mini-system for it. If it’s household chores, assign age-appropriate tasks to family members or block a set time each day to tackle it.
#3: Encourage Independence Through Environment
Amanda set up her home to make it easy for her kids to be independent. Snacks were stored within their reach, and their daily routines were visualized with charts that included pictures and simple words. This gave her kids autonomy while reducing her own workload.
Example:
Her 2-year-old learned to grab snacks from a designated shelf, while her 7-year-old used a checklist to prepare for school each day without reminders.
Quick Action Tip:
Look around your home and identify one area where your kids can take more ownership. Set up a low shelf with snacks or create a simple visual schedule for their morning routine. Watch how even small adjustments can empower them.
Related: Empowering Children: Transforming Household Chores Into Growth Opportunities
#4: Stay Organized and Use Tools to Simplify
Streamlining her family’s schedule and digitizing it was key. Using tools like Google Calendar, she uploaded school schedules and extracurricular activities into one centralized system.
Example:
Her family’s weekly calendar included:
- Soccer practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Dance class on Saturdays.
Everyone knew what to expect, and she didn’t have to keep reminding them of upcoming events.
Quick Action Tip:
If you have a busy schedule, digitize it. Start with your phone’s calendar app. For bonus efficiency, upload a schedule to ChatGPT or another tool to create an ICS file and import it.
Related: Mastering Your Day: 3 Google Calendar Tips for Busy Moms
Key Takeaways for Your Family
If Amanda’s success has inspired you, here are a few ways to start building your own chore system:
- Start Small: Choose 2-3 tasks your kids are already doing and turn them into a routine.
- Make It Fun: Use stickers, checklists, or a points system to make the process engaging.
- Celebrate Wins: Reward your kids with something simple and meaningful, like choosing a Friday family activity.
Want to learn more? Check out the Systemize Your Life Academy, where Amanda got her start. It’s packed with resources to help you create systems that work for your family.
Ready to Transform Your Home?
Amanda’s story is proof that small changes can lead to big results. If you’re ready to bring peace and productivity to your home, explore these helpful links:
Let’s continue this conversation in the comments! Share one chore or system you want to try with your kids, and let’s celebrate the wins together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I create systems that actually stick for my family?
Start small! Focus on one system at a time, such as a morning routine or meal planning. Be consistent for a few weeks and involve your family in the process so everyone feels ownership.
What should I do if my family resists new routines?
Change can be hard, but communication is key. Explain why the new routine benefits everyone, and make it fun! Use visuals, rewards, or family meetings to get everyone excited.
How do I balance work, parenting, and self-care without burning out?
Prioritize time-blocking to ensure you dedicate time to all aspects of your life. Identify your non-negotiables (like family dinner or alone time) and stick to them. Check out our the Systemize Your Life program if you are looking for extra support to get this started.
