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Showing posts with label SCHOOL ORGANIZING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SCHOOL ORGANIZING. Show all posts

Friday, August 16, 2019

Summer is Winding Down - the Kids are Going Back to School


It's that time of year again - the kids are going back to school!

Most parents are jumping with joy!  Kids - not so much.

There are a lot of things to get done before school starts. Besides buying school supplies there are new shoes to buy, new clothes....so many details.

But - before you go out and buy those new clothes - make your kids try on everything in their closet. YES - every thing. Because some kids - believe it or not - can outgrow their clothes every few weeks when they are in a growing spurt. Don't let them tell you that they "fit" when they tried them on a few weeks ago. They are probably too small now!

Make room in their closet and dressers BEFORE you go shopping. That way you will also know what they need. Again - they'll tell you they don't need new underwear or socks - but come the morning - they won't be able to find any.

Get the kids mentally prepared for the "school time routine". Start adjusting their bedtime. Get them used to getting up at the same time every morning.

Also - by having them get prepared the night before school (their clothes, lunches, backpacks...) - there will be less drama in the mornings.

Be sure to have a family calendar to mark all of the important school functions (days off, sports practices, conferences, doctors appointments....). 

Don't wait until school starts to get them used to the idea of "routine". The more prepared they are  - the less whining from them and the less stress you will have.



For more School Organizing Tips - Read:    School is About to Start - Get Organized

Enjoy the last last few days of summer vacation!

 
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services


Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Schools is Almost Out - Some Tips to Clear the Upcoming Clutter


School is almost out !!!! Only a few more weeks to go!

Kids will be cleaning out their lockers and bringing home a lot of  STUFF.  Stuff that you haven't seen in a year. Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like your Tupperware! Well - that is if you are lucky enough to get your Tuupperware back - instead of it having been "accidentally thrown out".

Kids will also be bringing home a lot of papers and other things that they find  in their lockers. Maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway when they come home. And it will stay there for weeks.

So, before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade). If there is any art work that you want to keep but is too big for your file box - you might want to take a picture of it instead of keeping the actual paper.

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicates when you get the rest of their school supplies in late summer.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss them or put them away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

Don't let the mess sit there all summer. You know what to expect - so get ready with a plan - clear it up right away and get on with your summer!

It will only be a few more weeks - until the chaos sets in! Start planning some activities now - to keep the kids busy throughout the summer - so that you too can enjoy the great weather!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Sunday, August 13, 2017

A great APP to help you get ORGANIZED!


Get yourself, your family and your schedule ORGANIZED! 


Here's a great app that will help!


Sign up for Cozi and get $15 to spend on school supplies!

Join the 20 million people who have simplified family life with Cozi. Try Cozi - it's free!


Cozi Family Organizer


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com




Wednesday, August 9, 2017

School is About to Start - Get Organized!


Who wants to think about school starting in a few weeks?  No one - but if you go to the stores the school lists and school supplies are already lining the aisles. 

So - take advantage of the sales and get your school supplies out of the way now! You might also want to stock up on extra pencils and paper that will be needed during the school year. Avoid the crowds of last minute shoppers. Avoid the stress!

Why wait until the week before school starts or for some people the day before school starts, to get organized and ready for school?  Eliminate the stress by planning ahead!

If you are just starting to send your kids to school for the first time you should also think about the end of school - all of the pictures and projects that the kids will be bringing home over the next year. Think about how you want to organize everything and buy the appropriate tools now while you are buying everything else for school. This will save you a lot of time and money later.

There are many different options for organizing your kids papers and projects. A Pendaflex with space for each grade. A 3 ring binder, a file box.... Whatever works for you. By thinking about it ahead of time, your year will be a lot smoother.

Clothes:  Your kids will probably have grown over the summer. Go through their closets (yes, again - and tell them to stop growing already!). You might want to take the clothes they have outgrown to your favorite donation center (be sure to get a receipt for your taxes). Make a list of what clothes they have and what clothes you will need to buy. Keep an eye out for the sales, but please don't get carried away!  Buy only what's on your list.

Snacks for kids - you might also want to think about healthy snack options for the kids lunches and buy those while you are out shopping.

Get the shopping out of the way and enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

Now is also the time to think about new routines for the school season.

Adjusting the kids bedtimes so that they get all of the recommended amount of sleep and are awake during school! Start adjusting their bedtimes now so they are used to going to bed earlier and getting up earlier.

Think about homework stations for the kids. Where will they drop all of the papers and things that they bring home from school? Where will they be doing their homework?

Do you have a system in place for keeping their important papers - such as papers that need to be signed and returned to school?

During the summer, mealtimes were probably more lax. Now is also the time to start thinking about scheduling during the school year and making time for healthy family meals.

Lots to think about! Start by shifting your mindset to school days and school hours. It'll be here before you know it!



Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com


Monday, June 12, 2017

Schools Out and Stuff is Everywhere - Toss What You Don't Need and Organize the Rest


School is out for the summer!!!!  Kids will have cleaned out their lockers and brought home - well, lots of stuff! Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like your Tupperware!

They will also have brought home lots of papers and other things that they cleared out of their lockers. Maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably have dumped it all in the hallway where they came in. And it's still probably there!

So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade). If there is any art work that you want to keep but is too big for your file box - you might to take a picture of it instead of keeping the actual paper.

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicates when you get the rest of their school supplies.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!

Have a great summer!


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com




Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Getting Your Kids Ready For School...and For Life



School is about to start. Have you thought about your school year routine yet?  Don't wait until the morning of the first day of school to come up with a plan. Start thinking about your first day now and get ready.

The question now is "Do you have a calm and stress free routine ?".  If not, why not? The answer is probably because things are not as organized as they could be.

Come up with a routine and get your kids involved. Let them know ahead of time what time they will have to get up in order to have plenty of time to get dressed, make their bed, eat a healthy breakfast and get all of their school things in their back packs and on their way.

By starting your kids on a routine and giving them responsibility for getting ready on time you have started them off on the right track to a successful life.

Kids are never too young to start learning how to be organized. Kids as young as three can be taught how to put their toys away.

School age children should have a daily routine. Everything from getting up in the morning, getting dressed themselves, making their beds and getting their backpacks all ready for school. This includes making sure they have their lunches!

By making kids responsible for themselves they can start learning organizational skills. It also helps takes the pressure off of the parents.

Even though as a parent you might want to do everything for your child....you would be doing them a disservice if you did. Don't you want your child to marry someone that can take care of themselves? Someone that helps around the house?

By teaching your kids some basic skills when they are young you are setting them up for success!

Kids love to learn new things. They love to think that they are in charge. Let them be in charge of themselves!

As a parent your job is to give the kids tools they can use in everyday life. Being organized is a crucial tool.

Parents, especially single parents, need all of the help they can get. Teach your child to be self sufficient and you too will reap the rewards.

And don't use the excuse "I am not an organized person myself".  I have a lot of clients that aren't organized themselves....but they know the right people to teach their kids various skills.

If you can give your child piano or gymnastics lessons.... you can give them "organizing lessons".  It's something they will use forever. Not that being able to do a cartwheel isn't important!

By starting young and having expectations from your children you are helping them be a better person. Their teachers, bosses and future spouses will  "Thank You" !

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, August 17, 2015

Getting Your Kids Ready for School ... and Life - in an Organized Manner

School is about to start. Have you thought about your school year routine yet?  Don't wait until the morning of the first day of school to come up with a plan. Start thinking about your first day now and get ready.

The question now is "Do you have a calm and stress free routine ?".  If not, why not? The answer is probably because things are not as organized as they could be.

Come up with a routine and get your kids involved. Let them know ahead of time what time they will have to get up in order to have plenty of time to get dressed, make their bed, eat a healthy breakfast and get all of their school things in their pack backs and on their way.

By starting your kids on a routine and giving them responsibility for getting ready on time you have started them off on the right track to success in life.

Kids are never too young to start learning how to be organized. Kids as young as three can be taught how to put their toys away.

School age children should have a daily routine. Everything from getting up in the morning, getting dressed themselves, making their beds and getting their backpacks all ready for school. This includes making sure they have their lunches!

By making kids responsible for themselves they can start learning organizational skills. It also helps takes the pressure off of the parents.

Even though as a parent you might want to do everything for your child....you would be doing them a disservice if you did. Don't you want your child to marry someone that can take care of themselves? Someone that helps around the house?

By teaching your kids some basic skills when they are young you are setting them up for success!

Kids love to learn new things. They love to think that they are in charge. Let them be in charge of themselves!

As a parent your job is to give the kids tools they can use in everyday life. Being organized is a crucial tool.

Parents, especially single parents, need all of the help they can get. Teach your child to be self sufficient and you too will reap the rewards.

And don't use the excuse "I am not an organized person myself".  I have a lot of clients that aren't organized themselves....but they know the right people to teach their kids various skills.

If you can give your child piano or gymnastics lessons.... you can give them "organizing lessons".  It's something they will use forever. Not that being able to do a cartwheel isn't important!

By starting young and having expectations from your children you are helping them be a better person. Their teachers, bosses and future spouses will  "Thank You" !

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, June 8, 2015

End Of The School Year - Get Organized


The school year is almost over. As always - it seemed to come too quickly. The summer is looming before us and parents everywhere will be trying to come up with ideas on how to keep their kids busy over the long summer.

But before you start on your summer plans why don't you get through the piles of paperwork, books and other things that your kids will bring home from school.

Re-read  "Schools Out For The Summer" to get some ideas on how to get through the piles that will be dumped on your living room floor by your kids.

Start the summer off right by clearing our your kids school clutter - instead of just hiding it in the closet and dealing with it in August. You will be glad you did! 

Let your kids help in the organizing process. They are never too young to learn how to be organized!


http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/2014/05/schools-out-for-summer-almost.html

And now - let the summer begin!


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Getting Your Kids Organized For School...and Life


School is about to start. Have you thought about your school year routine yet?  Don't wait until the morning of the first day of school to come up with a plan. Start thinking about your first day now and get ready.

The question now is "Do you have a calm and stress free routine ?".  If not, why not? The answer is probably because things are not as organized as they could be.

Come up with a routine and get your kids involved. Let them know ahead of time what time they will have to get up in order to have plenty of time to get dressed, make their bed, eat a healthy breakfast and get all of their school things in their pack backs and on their way.

By starting your kids on a routine and giving them responsibility for getting ready on time you have started them off on the right track to success in life.

Kids are never too young to start learning how to be organized. Kids as young as three can be taught how to put their toys away.

School age children should have a daily routine. Everything from getting up in the morning, getting dressed themselves, making their beds and getting their backpacks all ready for school. This includes making sure they have their lunches!

By making kids responsible for themselves they can start learning organizational skills. It also helps takes the pressure off of the parents.

Even though as a parent you might want to do everything for your child....you would be doing them a disservice if you did. Don't you want your child to marry someone that can take care of themselves? Someone that helps around the house?

By teaching your kids some basic skills when they are young you are setting them up for success!

Kids love to learn new things. They love to think that they are in charge. Let them be....in charge of themselves!

As a parent your job is to give the kids tools they can use in everyday life. Being organized is a crucial tool.

Parents, especially single parents, need all of the help they can get. Teach your child to be self sufficient and you too will reap the rewards.

And don't use the excuse "I am not an organized person myself".  I have a lot of clients that aren't organized themselves....but they know the right people to teach their kids various skills.

If you can give your child piano or gymnastics lessons.... you can give them "organizing lessons".  It's something they will use forever. Not that being able to do a cartwheel isn't important!

By starting young and having expectations from your children you are helping them be a better person. Their teachers, bosses and future spouses will "Thank You"!

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Schools Out For The Summer - Almost


School is about to end for most schools. Kids will be cleaning out their lockers and bringing home - well, lots of stuff! Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like Tupperware!

They will also be bringing home lots of papers and other things that they have cleared out of their lockers, maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway where they came in. And drive you nuts in the process.

So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as Art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade).

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicate when you get the rest of their school supplies.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!

Have a great summer!



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, July 22, 2013

School Supplies - Get Organized for the Start of a New School Year


Summer is in full swing. There are a lot of activities to keep the kids busy. Swimming, sports camps, camping and hiking, playing with friends.

Who wants to think about school starting in a month?  No one - but if you go to the stores the school lists and school supplies are already lining the aisles. 

So - take advantage of the sales and get your school supplies out of the way now! Avoid the crowds of last minute shoppers. Avoid the stress!

Why wait until the week before school starts or for some people the day before school starts, to get organized and ready for school?  Eliminate the stress by planning ahead!


If you are just starting to send your kids to school for the first time you should also think about the end of school - all of the pictures and projects that the kids will be bringing home over the next year. Think about how you want to organize everything and buy the appropriate tools now while you are buying everything else for school. This will save you a lot of time and money later.

There are many different options for organizing your kids papers and projects. A Pendaflex with space for each grade. A 3 ring binder, a file box.... Whatever works for you. By thinking about it ahead of time your year will be a lot smoother.

Clothes:  Your kids will probably have grown over the summer. Go through their closets (yes, again - and tell them to stop growing already!). Make a list of what clothes they have and what clothes you will need to buy. Keep an eye out for the sales, but please don't get carried away!  Buy only what's on your list.

Let the kids help. Tell them to keep an eye out for the sales ans teach them to shop responsibly. It's never too early to start teaching them how to be organized!

Get the shopping out of the way and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, May 20, 2013

Organzing Your Childrens School Papers - Artwork Galore....

Kids come home from school with a lot of papers and artwork. All of which they are proud of and want you to keep - forever.

It doesn't matter if it's just a few scribbles on a piece of paper or a watercolor they think is a masterpice....they want you to keep it - forever.

Each piece of school work, each test....you just have to keep it - forever.

But the reality is....we don't have the space for it all. I try to sort through it and keep what I think are the really great ones - the ones that show their personality.

Each child has a folder and each day when things come home I pick the ones that go in my "keep" pile.

My husband...he thinks it's just a way for the teachers to get the stuff off of their desks!

Anyway....my "keep" pile ....was getting too big - so I had to sort through it - again. This time, I really had to toss just about everything (let's not tell the children).

It's near the end of the school year and I had a huge pile (a very neat pile - thank you). But I only have so much room and I got new containers for each child. So I had to make some very tough decisions and keep only a few pieces of art and notes that they have written.

The point is.... organizing is a continuous process.  It is always evolving. You sort and keep things that you love and have great memories of....and in the future....in a year or two or three.... you go through the process again and again and make further decisions to de-clutter and dispose of things that you now can comfortably get rid of.

Organizing isn't stagnant. It's a process. It changes as you change. Be comfortable with that thought.

Now....go out and make some hard decisions. You can do it!  



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, October 1, 2012

Raising Organized Kids

School is now well underway. Everyone is getting settled into their daily routine.

The question now is "Do you have a calm and stress free routine ?".  If not, why not? The answer is probably because things are not as organized as they could be.

Kids are never too young to start learning how to be organized. Kids as young as three can be taught how to put their toys away.

School age children should have a daily routine. Everything from getting up in the morning, getting dressed themselves, making their beds and getting their backpacks all ready for school. This includes making sure they have their lunches!

By making kids responsible for themselves they can start learning organizational skills. It also helps takes the pressure off of the parents.

Even though as a parent you might want to do everything for your child....you would be doing them a disservice if you did. Don't you want your child to marry someone that can take care of themselves? Someone that helps around the house?

By teaching your kids some basic skills when they are young you are setting them up for success!

Kids love to learn new things. They love to think that they are in charge. Let them be....in charge of themselves!

As a parent your job is to give the kids tools they can use in everyday life. Being organized is a crucial tool.

Parents, especially single parents, need all of the help they can get. Teach your child to be self sufficient and you too will reap the rewards.

And don't use the excuse "I am not an organized person myself".  I have a lot of clients that aren't organized themselves....but they know the right people to teach their kids various skills.

If you can give your child piano or gymnastics lessons.... you can give them "organizing lessons".  It's something they will use forever. Not that being able to do a cartwheel isn't important!

By starting young and having expectations from your children you are helping them be a better person. Their teachers, bosses and future spouses will "Thank You"!

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, July 30, 2012

Getting Ready For School


 Summer vacation is not over yet and you want us to think about getting ready for school?

Yes, I do! Why wait until the week before school starts or for some people the day before school starts, to get organzied and ready for school?  Eliminate the stress by planning ahead!

The schools will probably have a supply list out already. School sales start early so take advantage of them. Avoid the crowds of last minute shoppers. Avoid the stress!

If you are just starting to send your kids to school forthe first time you should also think about the end of school - all of the pictures and projects that the kids will be bringing home over the next year. Think about how you want to organize everything and buy the appropriate tools now while you are buying everything else for school. This will save you a lot of time and money later.

There are many different options for organizing your kids papers and projects. A Pendaflex with space for each grade. A 3 ring binder, a file box.... Whatever works for you. By thinking about it ahead of time your year will be a lot smoother.

Clothes:  Your kids will probably have grown over the summer. Go through their closets (yes, again - and tell them to stop growing already!). Make a list of what clothes they have and what clothes you will need to buy. Keep an eye out for the sales, but please don't get carried away!  Buy only what's on your list.

Let the kids help. Tell them to keep an eye out for the sales ans teach them to shop responsibly. It's never too early to start teaching them how to be organized!

Have a great school year !



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, June 4, 2012

End of School Organizing

School is about to end for most schools. Kids will be cleaning out their lockers and bringing home - well, lots of stuff! Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like Tupperware!

They will also be bringing home lots of papers and other things that they have cleared out of their lockers, maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway where they came in. And drive you nuts in the process.

So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as Art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade).

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicate when you get the rest of their school supplies.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!

Have a great summer!



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, September 19, 2011

Organizing Your Purse (Briefcase / Backpack)....

You can admit it... your purse (or briefcase or backpack) is a bottomless pit. You throw things in there never to be seen again. We all do it...admit it!

Everything we have is important so we have to keep it. The problem is that we don't have an endless amount of space in our purse (briefcase or backpack).

There are a number of things that we could or should do on a regular basis. Clean it out! Take a few minutes, yes only a few and empty the entire thing. Shake out the dirt and bits and pieces of things that have accumulated on the bottom.

Separate everything into piles, just like in your home. Must keep, goes somewhere else, garbage.

All of those receipts that you just threw in there need to go into a file or somewhere else. It's a good idea to keep a small envelope in your purse just for receipts so that they don't end up all torn up or lost. When you buy something that you might need a receipt for (such as clothes that you might want to return or appliances....) put it into a receipt file. At least once a week go through that envelope and put the receipts in your permanent file or check it against your credit card statement and then toss it.

There are a number of great purse organizers in all sizes that have a lot of different sized pockets that let you keep your purse organized and clutter free. I have a number of them in different sizes that are great to use in all kinds of purses, briefcases, backpacks, luggage and more. Or you could just use Ziplock plastic bags for things like makeup and other small things that might get lost in your big purse.

Being able to find things quickly in your purse makes like so much easier. And you all know that by cleaning out your purse at least once a month you will lose a few extra pounds of weight that you really didn't want anyway!

Happy Organizing!

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, August 22, 2011

Getting Ready for School

It's almost time for the kids to get back to school. Most parents are happy, kids, not so much.

But the end of summer vacation is drawing to a close and parents and kids have to get back to their reality. That means getting up on time, getting dressed in something other than shorts and t-shirts, having their backpack and homework plus all of their signed parent notes all together and in their backpack.

Sounds easy enough. Yet the usual scenario is more like chaos with stressed out parents yelling at their kids for not being ready on time and kids yelling because they can't find their shoes or their favorite shirt.

So get a head start on being organized for the school year by talking to your kids about the upcoming start of school. Make sure that you have gone over a list of what they need, from clothes and shoes, to backpacks, lunch bags and school supplies.

Then their is "the schedule". Make sure that everyone is on the same page as to the upcoming new schedule. Getting up earlier, getting ready on time, who needs the shower when... yes, some people have to plan out a detailed scheduled to make things run smoothly. Unless of course everyone has their own bathroom (we all aren't so lucky).

If you have your backpack from last year, make sure that it is cleaned out and ready to go (this should have been done at the end of last school year, but if it wasn't now is the time). Make sure that there is a "place" to put backpacks and anything else the kids might need to take to school. A cubby for each child by the door or hooks or whatever works for you. But have a designated spot and make sure that the kids stick to it. There is no reason that they should be scrambling every morning looking for things.

Now is the time to talk to the kids about a new "organized" procedure for the school year. Make them unpack their schoolbags every night and go through any notes that you, the parent needs to sign, have them do their homework and immediately put it back into their schoolbag and then put the schoolbag by the door (or the designated spot).

By implementing an organized routine you have a better chance of not getting that phone call about the missing homework or the missing permission slip.

Kids need structure. They need a routine. And so do adults.

Being organized makes mornings much easier and stress free.

Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation and start your school year on an organized note.



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The End of the School Year

It's that time of year again. The end of the school year. An exciting time for kids but maybe not as much for parents. Along with having to re-arrange your schedule and come up with summer activities you also have to deal with all of the "stuff" that your kids bring home from school.

Projects, books, tons of papers and maybe even the tupperware that you were missing. So what are you going to do with all of that "stuff" ? Besides let it sit in the hallway for most of the summer?

Now is the time to start thinking about it. As soon as your kids come home from school (grade school, high school or even college) make them responsible for putting their things away. Go through their backpacks and throw out all of the "garbage" (you all know what I'm talking about). Take back your tupperware. Go through the clothes they bring home and donate the things that don't fit any longer or throw out the things that are beyond repair.

Keep a "few" of the special pictures that your kids made for you (take a digital picture of the rest) and toss the rest (you don't have the space to keep every single thing they made...really you don't).

If you have leftover school supplies make sure they are still good and that you will need them for the next school year. If your kids won't be able to use them give them to a parent that can or donate them.

By immediately dealing all of the things that the kids bring home from school you will not have to trip over it all summer and you can start your summer vacation with one less thing to worry about.

Have a great summer.

Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, July 12, 2010

BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZING

Well – it’s only mid-July. To early to think about school? NOT !

Get a head start and start making your lists now.

Clothes – what do the kids need? Start with the basics. Go through their drawers and check their supply of socks (have fun finding the matching pairs) and underwear. Are they in good shape and do they fit? Do they have enough and the right kind? For everyday and for sports.

Make a list of what they have, how many they have and sizes.

Shoes – school shoes, tennis shoes, boots (you don’t think you are going to find boots in the winter do you?). Take into consideration that they might grow before winter when buying boots and they will also have on thick socks.

Winter coats, scarves, gloves/mittens, hats. You should always keep a supply of extra gloves on hand for when they get wet (since they take forever to dry). And gloves are like socks. They disappear.

If your kids are in a growth spurt be sure to buy the coat with extra room so that by winter time it’s not too small. Also, be sure to remember that in the winter they will be wearing sweaters under their coats. Leave enough room if you are buying the coat when it’s still warm out and they aren’t wearing a sweater when they try it on.

Check the newspapers for sales, then immediately go to get the best selection and avoid the crowds of parents that waited until the last minute.

School supplies. Most schools have lists. Get them as soon as they come out. Check them against the list of supplies that you have on hand (from “Schools Out” article). Go to the stores and get all of the supplies.

You can break it down and buy school supplies one day and clothes on another day. Or if you have more than one child you can break it down by child and make a “one-on-one bonding moment” complete with lunch or dessert.

Yes, it can be a “fun” bonding moment…. IF you plan ahead instead of waiting until the last minute.

That’s the beauty of organizing….it reduces / eliminates the stress and allows you to enjoy even the most mundane task.

Kids grow up fast. Make these “stressful” times more enjoyable by being organized.



Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Monday, May 17, 2010

SCHOOLS OUT: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THE KIDS “STUFF” ?

Yippee ! Schools out ! The kids are beyond happy. Summer is almost here. Fun in the sun !

As you look around you see backpacks on the floor with the contents of their locker /desk strewn everywhere. Your office / desk / refrigerator is already bursting with their “art work” and crafts. How did you accumulate so much “stuff”?

Just remember – you have 12 years of this ! How do you get a handle on all of their “special papers” ? Don’t let the clutter overtake you. You will easily end up with more boxes of their “stuff” every year.

I know you and the kids are excited that school is out and the last thing that you want to do is spend hours going through their stuff. But it’s easier to just bite the bullet and get it done now and be able to enjoy the summer without having to look at the clutter all summer long.

There are a number of ways to go about this. One, get one (1) box or plastic bin for each child. Put in dividers for each school year. Pick one or two or three (no more or you’ll run out of room) great pieces to save. Put all of their report cards and awards into the folders.

Instead of a box, you can also use a large pendaflex folder for each child. You will need to explain to your child that you can’t keep “all” of their pictures because you just don’t have the room (trust me – my kids decorated an entire wall of my office with their art work and I left it up until they “begged” me to take it down when they were 15).

Do this at the end of every school year so that you are not overwhelmed when they are going away to college and you decide it’s “finally” time to clear our their stuff (trust me….they go from 12 to college overnight!).

Take a look at their backpack and see if it still is in good condition for next year. If it is, clean it out and store it for next year. If it’s, not throw it in the garbage.

Go through all of their school supplies and get rid of everything that is broken. Sort all of the “good” supplies into a box for next year. Make a list of what you have left over that can be re-used so that you don’t have to buy it next year.

Now you can relax and enjoy your summer…..that is until it’s time to “get organized” for the next school year. But that’s another article!


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/