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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…Back to School!

By Kathy Jenkins, Professional Organizer, Come To Order

We have all seen the commercial where the parent is prancing around the office supply store gleefully filling the cart with school supplies. What they don’t show you is the panic that sets in when school begins and hoards of paper pile up on the kitchen table like Mount Everest. But fear not, there are some strategies that you can begin to put in place now so that you will actually be able to eat at the kitchen table! 

Start with the basics – a place for everything and everything in its place. Create a “drop spot” in your home where your kids (and you) can put their backpacks, keys, coats, shoes and anything else that consistently comes and goes in your home. Hooks are best for backpacks and coats. Baskets or bins are great for hats, gloves, and work papers; and a shoe rack is a must for keeping the shoes in pairs.  

A school supply zone is a must. In this area you should put all the necessary school and craft supplies. Clear plastic stackable or drawer bins with labels work great for corralling paper, glue, scissors, note cards, pencils, markers, etc. Best of all, by having all the supplies in one place you will save yourself and your child time and frustration when they sit down to do their homework or project. 

Create an “In Box” for incoming paper. Remind everyone in the family that all incoming paper, from school, work or the mailbox, must be placed here so that it can be handled. Then start the habit of emptying the bin every night before bed, taking the necessary action: trash/shed it, file it, delegate it or act upon it. Tossing, shredding and filing are self-explanatory. Delegating indicates that you give it to the person who has to read it, sign it or do something else with it. Acting upon it simply means that you will to do something now with the paper – sign it, pay it, read it or post it.  

With younger children (preschool and elementary school), the amount of papers and art work that come from school is tremendous. The basic rule of thumb is: if it needs a signature, sign it immediately and place it back in their backpack or school bag; if it is a notice with an important date, mark it on the family calendar and then either file or toss it; and if it is art work, write the date on the back and display it. A great tip for hanging papers is to tie a piece of string, strung with clothes pins, between to cup hooks that have been screwed into the wall. The clothes pins can be embellished to fit the décor of the room. As new art comes in for display, place the old pieces in a bin.  

At the end of every season group the items together and take a picture or two. Have your child stand with the three dimensional projects and the ones you particularly love so you have a photo of them with their masterpieces. Then pick a few choice pieces to keep and toss the rest (when they are not around of course).

For older children, the system is the same except they need to be involved in the decision of what stays and what goes. Scrapbooks, notebooks, storage bins or portable file holders are a great place for middle and high school kids to keep those papers, tests, ribbons, pictures, certificates and concert programs. It is important to label what ever organizing product you choose and be sure to stay within its boundaries For example, if you choose to keep school papers in a notebook, then limit yourself to a 3” binder and when it is full you need to purge before you can add anymore to it. 

Create a family calendar that is visible and accessible to everyone. Let each person choose their own color for recording their appointments and activities. This way you can easily see who has to do what and when. And while we are on the subject, make sure that you plan time for being a family. These days everyone is so busy running from one activity to another – soccer, Tae Kwon Do, scouts, etc. – that we forget to make time for our family. Keep in mind, if you are stressed running your kids around from thing to thing, imagine how stressed they feel! 

With a little planning and some new habits and routines, this really can be the most wonderful time of the year – for everyone!

© 2006, Kathy Jenkins, Come To Order

Kathy Jenkins is a Residential Professional Organizer, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO, NSGCD and ABWA and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.