Organize + Energize: 9 Ways to Get Your Kids Organized for Back to School
Tuesday, August 09, 2016
It time to start thinking about getting your kids organized for a stress-free school year. Start planning and preparing now to get back into your fall routine. I know you still have time before they head back to school and you want to enjoy every last drop of summer, but it’s important to plan and prepare. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Here are 9 ways to get your kids in organization mode for back to school:
Transfer the skill set. If your kids are old enough, it’s time to transfer the organizational skill set during this pre-school season. Start them young and talk to them about creating organized systems and how to maintain them. If you don’t have the skill set, you can hire a professional to work with your kids.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGive them structure. Most kids love structure. Structure keeps kids organized. Living in an organized, structured home versus a chaotic, disorganized home will help kids focus and become less distracted.
Declutter. It’s time to declutter your kid’s spaces. When was the last time you went through their books, toys, clothes, papers, etc.? If it’s been more than a year, it’s time to declutter. You won’t believe what your kids have outgrown in a year, and I’m not just talking about clothes. They may be more ready to get rid of things than you think. Sometimes I find that the kids are more eager to let go of things than their parents. Get your kids involved in the process.
Paper management. I can already hear the moans about the paper that arrives during the school year. You have to have a system to control this paper. Everybody functions differently so not every system is created equal. The key is to create a simple system that can be maintained throughout the year. Decluttering this system at the end of each semester or school year is also crucial. Don’t forget to keep a memorabilia container to store all of the important and meaningful items that they accumulate throughout the year.
Organize bathrooms. Why organize the bathroom? It’s so everybody can become more efficient during their morning routine. Create working organized systems in the bathroom to decrease time spent in the bathroom. Declutter, categorize, itemize and contain everything to make mornings easier.
Organize bedrooms. It’s so important for your kids to have an organized bedroom. Start with decluttering this space and then work with them to organize it according to how they function, not the way you function. Talk to them and ask them questions. You will be surprised that they have answers to the questions. They know how they want to function and creating those systems around how they function will give them motivation to maintain that organization.
Homework space. Talk to your kids about how they want to function this year with their homework. Do they want a quiet desk space in their room away from the distractions in the kitchen? Wherever they choose to function, set them up with all of the supplies they will need to be successful. Categorize and itemize their school supplies and create systems for them to easily maintain.
Give them a calendar. Have them keep a calendar on their desk to keep track of important dates. Sports, dances, doctor’s appointments, test dates, and other important appointments should be kept on their calendar. It’s a great time to get them started in keeping track of where they have to be and how they can prepare for upcoming events.
Morning routines. Make morning routines easy on you. You’ll be able to spend more time in the morning at the breakfast table. Plan and prepare lunches and backpacks the evening before. Plan outfits for the week. Having an organized home will help make morning routines easier.
Have a conversation with your family and make a plan to get organized for this upcoming school year. Once you get organized in the home and reduce the clutter and chaos, you’ll have a stress-free back-to-school season.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.
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