School is starting soon and it will be a busy time for families with children. Work seems to pick up at the same time, so we will be running hard to adjust to our new schedules. Here are some ideas to get through that first week with sanity and good temper intact.
- Get the house in order before school starts. Our deadline for everyone's room to be spotless is the Sunday night before school starts. Get some ideas for back to school home organization below. It feels good to start the school year with a clean house!
- I'm a bit indulgent when it comes to new school supplies and school clothes. I love the excitement of starting school with new stuff, and I share that with my kids. Pull out old clothes and organize closets before school starts. We actually had a porch sale with my daughter's good outgrown clothes even though I've sworn never to do it many times before!
- If you do nothing else, buy a bulletin board. We have two by the back door. All schedules, announcements, and invitations get stuck there, and they no longer get lost or forgotten.
- If you are on your computer a lot, make use of a Personal Information Manager to record everyone's lessons, appointments, and activities. I use Outlook in Microsoft Office 2000. It's a powerful but simple time management tool.
- Stop and talk. This is a great time to start a tradition of family meetings. Sit down on Sunday evening and plan your week together.
- Make the firts week's routine as close to a normal school week as possible. Just get down to it with a positive attitude and plenty of encouragement.
Get Organized for School with These Ideas from Around the Web
Home Organization Help from About Housekeeping This About site can change your life! Great resource for parents.
Get Organized for Back To School! Read about Calendar Central, speed cleaning, and more ideas from OrganizedHome.com.
Organize the Kids' Rooms As you go through the kids' clothes and get their rooms in shape find ideas for organizing to keep them looking good.
Home Organization A great resource for ideas and tips to take some tiny baby steps in getting your house organized or plunge in and go for the clean sweep.
Thinking about Trying Some Time Management Strategies? Start with your personal priorities and this article by Jacqueline McLaughlin Hale at Between Friends.
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