The reality is that having some level of organisation within the house really does equal less stress. This does, however, mean getting the entire family to support your mission.

Here are some ways to motivate your family towards that goal.

1. Set the example: Make sure that you get organised before you expect everyone else in your family to become organised. Children follow closely what their parents do and say, so make organising a normal routine around your home.

2 Set clear and reasonable expectations: Be clear (write down if necessary) what household activities needs to be done and what it entails.  For example: Task - Wash the dishes.  Expectation - Wash, dry and put away dishes after each meal. Make sure tasks are age appropriate.

3. Homework needs to be included in the conversation when discussing household activities with school-age children: The type and amount of homework each child is responsible for should dictate the amount of activities that child performs. Create a balance so the child is not overwhelmed.

4. Create an activity chart: An activity chart is an excellent visual tool to remind everyone of their responsibilities and shows how they are progressing. Gather each family member's input and it becomes a family responsibility. Everyone then knows they play a part in the outcome.

5 Set up a reward system: Find out what your household currency is. Perhaps it is pocket money, "screen" time, or date night for the parents, or pizza night if everyone has completed their household activities for the week. Do not forget to reiterate the obvious rewards of having an organised home by making the end results of their hard work visible in their minds.

6. Make organising fun: Turn on upbeat music that everyone enjoys listening to during the activity. Turn chores into a game. Having kids toss their clothes in the laundry basket like they are playing basketball is one idea. Seeing who can put away the most toys is another. Consider setting a timer and making it a race. This will create a burst of energy to beat the buzzer.

7. Keep it interesting: As children get older and more skilled in completing household activities they will usually want different things to do and encouraging them to continue with their responsibility can be a challenge. Keep in mind what their new "currency" might be: extra nights out, having friends over, for example.

8. Determine where family members are already organised and build upon their strengths: Even though your child's room may be a major mess, they may be good at getting homework done on time or having sports cards all in order. Focus on aspects of organisation they are already good at and encourage them to apply those skills towards other chores.

9. Be on the same page as your spouse: Nothing is worse than being inconsistent with the children, with mum saying one thing and dad saying another. Discuss the household activities with your spouse beforehand and agree on the rules and guidelines. This will eliminate any frustration and resistance on your child's part.

Remember, this change won't happen overnight, the key is consistency. It takes at least 21 days to form a habit, so keep going and enjoy the rewards.