With school about to begin, moms and kids alike are gearing up. Everyone is excited about new school clothes, new school supplies, new school books, new teachers and new friends.
But sooner or later “new” gives way to . . . boring. And boring can mean the end of organization. Now is the time to get a plan and implement that plan so that it is well established when fun turns into routine.
1) Designate “Education Central” – the place where pertinent information is collected and disseminated. All papers from school, notes going to school, lunch money, lunches, book bags, calendar, sports schedules will all come here. Use whatever organizing tools that work for you, but get them and use them. Ideally, this would be near where you enter and exit.
2) Designate “Homework Station” - the place where books go when the kids get home and where the homework is done. Go ahead and stock the area with the essentials for good studying. The usuals - pens, pencils, paper, rulers, crayons (age appropriate supplies) – a desk, and good lighting. Ideally, this would be a quiet spot away from distractions. The kids’ rooms may provide distractions and less accountability. Book bags packed and ready for the next day will go to “education central.”
3) Designate a “Dressing Dock” – the place where clothes have been “docked” the evening before. It’s not only a time saver, but a conflict management technique to pick out the one day’s clothes the night before. Again, ideally, you need a “dock” for the outfit outside of the closet; a trip into the closet the next morning will reveal the choices all over again.
With the structure in place, you can navigate the school year without a train wreck.
No question, often we have to work in less than ideal conditions. Share with us what works for your household?
