Loathe as we are to think about cooler weather (summer just got here!), back-to-school time is right around the corner. In addition to picking out new backpacks, pencils, and pens, now is the perfect time to get organized.
Start the school year off right with these organizational tips.
Create a Family Command Center
If you and your child were scrambling before the bus came to find their shoes, backpack, or jacket, it might be time to create a “command center” in your home. Think of it as the space everyone in the family knows to look first for important information (and shoes. It’s always shoes). By dedicating a space where kids know to put on their shoes, hang up their backpacks and jackets, and share important school paperwork, you can streamline your morning routine and reduce the stress of not finding “that one thing” right before the bus comes to pick them up.
Homework Starts Here
While the kitchen table might make a nice, large workspace, it’s likely to be in the center of your home, meaning there are plenty of distractions and opportunities for important paperwork to go missing. Creating a homework station in a quiet space of your home provides a distraction-free area for your child to concentrate on their work, makes it easier to keep their things organized, and gives your child a sense of ownership over the space. It doesn’t have to be a large area; a quiet nook in your home is just the right size for a homework station. Have your child help pick out the necessities and let them personalize it so it’s a place they want to spend time in, not a space they have to spend time.
Get on a Schedule
If you don’t control your schedule, it will control you. Time blocking is a simple and effective way to create order in your daily routine. It’s a time management method that asks you to divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task, or group of tasks, and only those specific tasks. Instead of keeping an open-ended to-do list of things you’ll get to as you’re able, you’ll start each day with a concrete schedule that lays out what you’ll work on and when. This can be especially helpful after school. By designating blocks of time for play, homework, winding down, and bedtime, you can reduce stress and be more accomplished- win-win!
Pro tip: set aside time in your schedule to prep for the next morning; whether it’s getting lunches ready, or clothes picked out, you’ll feel great waking up knowing you have some tasks already completed!
Need a Hand?
Whether you’re working parents, managing a house full of little ones, or aren’t sure where to start, Tina Curtis is here to lend a hand. She has years of experience helping clients get – and stay – organized and works with you to design systems that work for you. Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.
