Creating Your Family Launch Pad

Create a "launch pad" in your home. This is the place (hook, cubby hole, container or decorative basket on top of a piece of furniture) by the door that holds our important out-the-door items. This area is maintained on a daily basis; not a drop zone for just anything coming in the door. This area is for items that must be staged for leaving with us each morning or put away as we walk in the door each evening. This is not a drop zone, but an active area.

If you need additional visual support; directions about what to take out the door or bring in with you upon entering, use a 4 x 6 brightly colored Post-It^® to list the five or six important items going out each morning and coming in each evening. You can also list where your put away items need to be stored until you have successfully created your put-away habit.

All family members are responsible for keeping their "launch pad" area organized and ready for use. Smaller children always need their parents help with this process. But by creating this out-the-door routine, family members can be assured that they will walk out the door with what they need and not have to run all over the house collecting items that need to leave with them each morning.