Clutter Patrol

Clutter isn't just about the state of your house. It's also about your state of mind. Clutter can mean lost bills, permission slips, college applications, and other important papers, and can lead to tension and stress in the household.

Tracy Gibson, an at-home mom in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, knows the feeling. "When I can't find things I need right away, I feel really anxious. Being disorganized is one thing that my husband Andrew and I consistently have spats about."

This is no surprise to Barbara Hemphill, author of Taming the Paper Tiger at Home. "Clutter and disorganization is one of the chief causes of family fights. Getting organized as a family is one of the best things you can do to maintain peace." It will also bond you in a positive way, while leaving time for what really matters. Use the following seven ideas to start getting your home and life in order.

1. Go on clutter patrol. Set aside 10 minutes for this every night and make sure everyone, even the kids, goes on it with you. "During clutter patrol, each member of the family walks throughout the rooms of the house picking up and putting away their belongings," says Diane Albright, president of AllBrightIdeas.com.

At some point, you'll be more likely to put things away so that they're not so conspicuous in the newly neatened areas. Either way, you wake up to a house that's clutter-free and start the day right. If you have trouble getting your kids to cooperate, take away a privilege like watching TV until clutter patrol is done. For younger children, make a game of it. "Set a timer for 10 minutes," says Maria Gracia author of Finally Organized, Finally Free. "Have the kids run around to pick up their things and put them away. If they get everything done by the time the timer sounds, they win small prizes, such as being able to choose tomorrow afternoon's video to watch or baking cookies with Mom."