Back to
School Organization
By: Rachel Webb
Soon our homes will be filled with the sounds of "Mom,
where is my homework?" As moms everywhere get geared
up to battle the Back to School stress and vow once again
to be more organized This year, let me offer some
preventative medicine and time saving tips.
- Mark the Stuff! Put your child’s name on the back of
everything... most of you probably figured this one out
and already mark the backpack, books & jackets but
what about their shoes? Last year my 7 year old daughter
wore 4 different pairs of shoes home that were not hers
and couldn’t figure out why they didn’t fit right! I gave up
trying to figure out how that could possibly happen and
just started writing her name on the bottom of the shoes!
- Notes from Home A friend of mine who is an elementary
school secretary, spends most of her morning sorting
through a "ga-zillion" unmarked notes and wads of lunch
money. She suggests that before the school year starts,
pre-mark envelopes with your child’s name and grade on it.
You may want to get a rubber stamp made up or order
personalized address labels. Get Free labels at www.FreeAddressLabels.com
You can use them for
lunch money envelopes, identifying books, returning fieldtrip
permission slip’s, etc.
- Photocopy Parental Release Forms How many times
are you going to fill out the emergency medical form, you
know, the one required by every school. One for every child.
I have 4 children x 13 years of school = 52 times! What a
waste of time! This tip was shared by Anita from Ohio she
pointed out that It can be very tedious looking up address
and phone number of the doctor, dentist, hospital, family
friend to call in an emergency, etc. Do it once, and file
photocopy’s on hand for the next year.
- Magnetic Fridge Calendar As the kids bring home a
note about an event, transfer the information to a Fridge
Calendar where everyone in the household can see planned
activities and that is easy to write-on/wipe-off. Last year I
wanted one that included a notes area that would match
my kitchen so I made my own. You can see examples at : www.Note-Ables.com Calendars should be made
entirely of flexible magnetic material so it won’t slide off when the kids slam the fridge door!
- Pre-Pick Daily Clothes 90% of our school morning battles
take place regarding what to wear. Laying out clothes the
night before helps, but if that hasn’t solved your problem try
this idea from Tandy a mom of four. She bought a 5 compartment sweater hanger for the closet and helps the child choose
the wardrobe for the whole week. Even socks and underwear
get put in each days "cubby" Sunday Afternoon. Ok Moms,
that creates your deadline for getting the laundry all caught up!
- File System for School Papers In preparing for the multitude
of papers your kids will be bringing home keep a three tired
wire basket by their bedroom door, or your kitchen counter.
Teach your kids basic organizational skills by having them
sort through their own backpacks and put papers that need
"To Be Signed" by mom in the top basket, Another basket
is for "Important Stuff Mom Needs" (PTA info., fund-raisers,
school policies, etc.) and a basket for "Art & Awards" to
be
used as scrapbooking ideas and keepers. One mom has a
Rule for the top basket, if it’s not in the top basket by bedtime,
it doesn’t get signed that night. This eliminates the last minute
papers waving in moms face as you rush out the door and
gives you a chance to actually READ what you are signing!
About the Author:
Rachel Webb is a WAHM of 4 and designs write-on/wipe-off Magnetic Fridge Calendars. Made entirely of flexible magnetic
material, her organizational calendars are guaranteed not to
slide off when the kids slam the fridge door!
Visit her site: www.Note-Ables.com or E-Mail: Rachel@Note-Ables.com
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