Why Every Mom Needs a Label Maker: 5 Smart Ways to Organize Your Home

Why Every Mom CEO Needs a Label Maker (And 5 Genius Ways to Use It)

Let’s be honest:
Sometimes it feels like the moment you organize something, the chaos creeps back in.

You tell your kids where the toys go. You explain (again) which basket is theirs. You remind them for the 47th time which drawer holds the pajamas. And still—things get dumped in the wrong places, laundry piles up, and you’re left wondering, “Why can’t anyone just follow the system?”

Here’s the truth:
You might have a system in your head.
But if no one else can see it, they can’t follow it.

That’s why one of my favorite tools in my mom CEO arsenal is…
🥁 A label maker.

Yep. A $20 Brother labeler from Costco has saved me hours of repeating myself and made it so much easier for my kids to take ownership of their spaces and routines.

Let’s break down why this tiny tool makes such a big impact—and how you can start using it today.

Why Labels Work: The Science of Visual Cues

Children (and adults!) thrive on visual structure.

🧠 According to child development research, visual instructions increase task independence in children by up to 25%—especially in environments with recurring routines like home or school (National Library of Medicine).

Translation?
When your child can see what to do without relying on memory or verbal reminders, they’re more likely to succeed—and you’re less likely to micromanage.

And for moms who already manage the majority of the mental load at home? That’s a big deal.

In fact, a 2022 survey by Bright Horizons found that 72% of working moms say they manage the majority of household organization and logistics—compared to just 13% of dads (Bright Horizons Modern Family Index).

Let’s lighten that load, shall we?

5 Genius Ways to Use a Label Maker at Home

Here’s how I use mine—and how you can, too.

1. Label Each Child’s Laundry Basket

No more guessing. No more “Is this mine?”
Each child has their own labeled basket, and they learn to sort accordingly. Bonus: It’s a gateway to teaching them how to do their own laundry.

2. Label Dresser Drawers

For toddlers and early readers, this is magic. Label drawers with words (and pictures if you’d like) so they can dress themselves with confidence—and actually put things away where they belong.

3. Label Toy Bins by Category

Whether it’s LEGOs, Barbies, or craft supplies, having labeled bins makes clean-up easier for everyone. Even a 3-year-old can match “cars” to “cars.”

4. Label Pantry Zones

Use labels to separate “snacks,” “breakfast,” “baking,” or “school lunches.” Not only does this help kids get what they need—it reduces the snack-time chaos and teaches early kitchen independence.

5. Label School Supply Drawers

Crayons, glue sticks, sharpeners, dry erase markers—you name it. When everything has a clearly labeled home, it’s easier to keep tidy (and way faster to find before homework time).

Bonus Benefit: Labels Build Ownership

One of the hidden superpowers of using labels?
They help kids take ownership of their space.

Instead of hearing “Mom, where does this go?” 10 times a day, they know. And they feel empowered to act without constant direction.

💬 As I shared in the Secrets of a Mom CEO podcast:

“With children, I find that whenever we give them clear instructions on what to do, where things go, how to do things—they’re able to accomplish so much more.”

It’s not about making your home Pinterest-perfect.
It’s about making your systems visible, repeatable, and shared.