By Trisha Novotny
Between
purchasing school items and getting the children back into the school
routine, gearing up for back-to-school can be a very busy and stressful
time. It’s important to purchase items and set schedules that will help
ease the madness and transition the family from summer fun to school
season.
Ready to simplify the upcoming School year? read my top 10 tips that I have found to be helpful for my family .
#1 – MOM Calendar – The first thing a mom needs to organize the upcoming school year is a calendar to record and keep track of her families daily schedules, school events, after school activities and appointments. Be sure to include on your calendar PE, library and other days that your kids will need to remember. I suggest also picking up a variety of colored markers and assigning each family member one color that you use on the calendar for their events and activities.
#2 – Kid Binders – Your children will begin bringing home piles of papers from school and other various activities they participate in. How can a mom keep these organized and easy to retrieve when needed? By Creating a Kid binder using binder dividers to organize each child and activity.
#3 – Color folder for each Child – Purchase a package of assorted colored file folders and assign each child one color. Use these to file important papers such as copies of their birth certificates, ASB cards (when not in use), tickets to upcoming events, emergency information to use when filling out forms, immunization records. I also place gift cards, library cards and other items we need to keep track of in these files that are then placed in my desktop file.
#4 – Chore Charts – With school back in session it is the perfect time to re-assign household chores and personal responsibilities. I have given each of my children a clipboard with their weekly to do check list (chore chart). Their chore charts also include all the things I get tired of reminding them to do such as brush your teeth, practice piano, do your homework, clean your room, pack your backpack for school. This has stooped the mom from having to ask did you? did you? did you? multiple times each day. My children now are responsible to make sure they get their list checked off each day
#5 – Clothes for the week – On Sunday night have your children pick out their weeks worth of clothes. Then hang them in order in their closet or place folded up neatly in a clothing stacker or dresser drawer. This will save time each morning deciding what to wear or searching for the item they are wanting to wear.
#6- Prepare the night before – Train your children to pre-pare for their day the night before by packing their lunches, cleaning out and re-filling their backpacks, placing their Shoes by the door, checking the family calendar for what they have on the schedule so they can pack and bring the items they will need such as library books, instruments etc. Also have them prepare for after school activities by packing what they will need into a sports bag – snack, sports equipment, water bottle etc.
#7 – Lunch Money – Use an empty 35 MM film holder to place their lunch or milk money in. No more lost money in the bottom of their backpacks.
#8 – Snacks for on the go – Use an old lunch box or lidded container and create a snack box to use for those busy afternoons of activities. You can keep this is the car and refill as needed.
#9 – Labels – Purchase personalized labels with your children’s names to use on their lunch boxes, clothing, school supplies, sports equipment, thermos, water bottles, electronics etc. Use luggage tags on their backpacks and duffel bags.
#10–Homework Station– Create a place for your children to do their nightly homework that is stocked with the supplies they will be in need of. You can also create an on the go portable homework station using a portable file box.
What are your Back To School organization tips?