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An Organized School Year In 10
Easy Steps
by Sherrie Le Masurier
Organizing your kids and keeping them organized throughout the school
year can be a real challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. With an
effective organizational system, your family can experience a life
without chaos and clutter.
It all starts with establishing a system that works. As parents we’re in
the driver’s seat when it comes to teaching our children how to be
responsible individuals. One of the best ways to do this is to model the
behavior and habits we would like to encourage in them and make our
school aged kids responsible for their own belongings.
Being organized is all about developing family routines that work. Good
routines are anything you do on a regular basis that simplifies your
life and makes it run smoother. It could be setting regular sleep and
wake-up times for your kids (and yourself) or something as simple as
setting the breakfast table, making lunches, or laying your clothes out
the night before.
A positive family rhythm is an organized one. Effective organizing
involves having a solid system in place with regular family discussions,
limited extra curricular activities, creative scheduling and a plan for
conflict resolution when it occurs.
Following are some tips to help your family get and stay organized this
school year and beyond.
Color-code supplies. Keep things simple by having a different color
knapsack and lunch bag for each child. You could also take the
color-coding idea one step further and use it as a way of keeping your
children’s class materials separate.
Create a homework schedule. Have your child do her homework when and
where it makes the most sense to her. Support homework completion by
encouraging a regular daily routine.
Eliminate frustrations with an organized backpack. Showing your child
how to effectively use her backpack can eliminate a lot of last minute
hassle. Have her use the main section for books and binders. Signed
permission slips can find a home in an outer pocket. The remaining small
pouches are ideal for separating pens, pencils and calculators from
personal items like a tooth or hair brush.
Daily backpack habits. Make it a habit to sort thorough your child’s
backpack with her the same day it comes home. Depending on your schedule
allot some time after school or after dinner. Sign permission forms and
record important school events at the same time.
Record everything on a family calendar. One of best ways to keep on top
of everyone’s schedule is to have a central spot where things are
recorded and easily referred to. A large family calendar in a high
traffic area like the kitchen is a great way of keeping abreast of
what’s happening and when.
Schedule in nightly preparation time. Encourage your child to spend 15
minutes each night gathering all that they need for the next day. If you
have several children set up a shelf with baskets or cubby holes so each
child has his or her separate space to store school related belongings.
Include in this time clothes planning for the next day.
Ready, set, leave. Set up a spot near the door for things that need to
go to school (backpacks, school books, sports equipment, musical
instruments etc.)
For more creative tips on how to get your kids up and out in the morning
visit http://familysanitysavers.com/morningmadness.html
Make lunches in advance. Plan non-perishables like drinks and snacks a
week or two ahead. Make sandwiches once a week and freeze or prepare
them the night before.
Plan breakfast the night before. Save time in the morning by setting the
kitchen table in advance and making cereal and bread available to those
who are ready first.
Set your alarm clock earlier. Trying to get yourself and everyone else
ready at same time in the morning only breeds panic. Do yourself a favor
by rising half an hour before everyone else. It’s amazing how smooth
your morning will go if you’re showered and dressed before waking the
kids.
About the author
Sherrie Le Masurier is a
lifestyle columnist, organizing consultant and a member of Professional
Organizers in Canada. She offers up smart solutions for busy families
via
www.familysanitysavers.com and
www.organizedliving.blogspot.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherrie_Le_Masurier
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