Making the Right Homes for Everything

Dear K&K: My husband drives me crazy asking where things are — batteries, light bulbs. I never move these things. They’re exactly where they were the last time he asked. I don’t think I could possibly be more organized but clearly, if he can’t find things on his own, I don’t have the right homes for everything or something!?! Crazy in Carmel

Dear Crazy: Sometimes things don’t need to make sense to live together and we’re talking possessions and people! We think you’re right that for some reason your system isn’t working for your husband. First, try asking him where he’d put the things he can never find if he were in charge. For instance, I keep stamps near my passports in a drawer with other insanely important documents. Stamps are not exactly connected to those items but it’s where I’ve always kept them. I keep doing it despite the nonsensical nature of it because it works. Two wise women once said: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Now, if your attempt to have his input craft a new system fails, then figure out what things he’s usually looking for and create a central home for all of them in one place like a drawer. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, having things in one spot will end up limiting how many times he asks you because he will eventually learn anything he needs is in that one drawer. All our best, Katie & Kelly