get organized for back to school

Today’s Get Organized Challenge comes courtesy of Jennifer Ford Berry of Organize This Life and author of Organize Now! A week-by-week guide to simplify your space and your life.

Slow Down!

• Really give it some thought before you sign your kids up for all sorts of extra circular activities. Are these activities helping your child or hurting them? Are they getting enough sleep? Do you they dread going or do they get excited?
• Don’t feel like you are competing with other parents and children. Sometimes less is more. Do what is best for your child. Pay attention to the self-pressure you put on yourself. (we should…, I need to…).
• Don’t get so overwhelmed with running around that you can’t keep up with the important stuff like helping with homework, checking back packs and signing permission slips.

Tips on Managing School Papers

• Establish a system that works for your family. For example: when the school work is brought home, you look at it and the favorites are displayed for X amount of time in X spot.
• Try using a hanging file for the school year. Put all school work that comes in when it enters your home and then at the end of the year go through and choose your favorites to keep..
• Store all favorite school work in a 3 ring binder. Use a tab divider for each school year.
• Use artwork as wrapping paper for gifts you give to family members.
• Frame some of your favorite artwork and use it to decorate your home or office.
• Make a habit of checking your child’s backpack as soon as they or you get home. That way you will not miss important papers, notes from the teacher and events coming up.
• Teach your child how to decide what papers to keep and what to toss. Many adults main problem when it comes to paper is just making the decisions

Stay Ahead

• Write school activities in YOUR planner. Include whether you are picking up or dropping off.
• Don’t procrastinate on filing out all those forms.
• Make a list of what you need to buy: dance attire/shoes, sports, school supplies.
• When traveling for sports events, pack a picnic ahead of time instead of going through a drive through.
• If you have a child going into Kindergarten, it’s OK if this is an emotional time. You may feel like you are barely going to see your little person anymore. Don’t worry after a couple of weeks it will feel normal (you may even like it!)

Related articles by Zemanta

• Back to School – Promoting Learning @ Home (thismommygig.org)
• Getting Organized for Back to School – Who Says it can’t be Fun? (creativeorganizing.typepad.com)
• Jenn: R E S P E C T part II (momblognetwork.com)