projects and chaos that many households feel when September rolls around.
Homework – a loaded word with many components. First is managing the assignments on a daily basis, including a calendar system. Second is ensuring it gets turned in. Lastly, is the place to do the homework. One idea is to create a homework folder, one side is for homework that is given during the day and the other is for homework to get turned in. Another idea is to create an envelope for each subject to hold homework related items; this can be housed in a binder for the subject or in its own binder or plastic organizer.
Consider the options for a homework station. Every family and home has varying needs, but the need for a space to complete homework is universal. First, consider what kind of environment your student needs for maximum productivity; the kitchen table or breakfast bar, a desk in their room or a surface in a family room can all work. Short on space? Walk you home with fresh eyes. Is there a corner of a dining room that is rarely used but could do double duty as a desk for studying and buffet for serving? Or is the backside of a sofa in a family room that a sofa table could tuck behind for a study surface?
Backpacks – backpacks are a double whammy beast – they are tough to keep organized on the inside and they can take over an entry way or mud room in 10 seconds flat. Weekly purging of the backpack is helpful. Plan a mid-week dump of the backpack, eliminating old papers, wrappers and other stray items while also tracking down a lost homework assignment or note from a teacher. Don’t plan to do this on Friday’s - everyone is so ready for the weekend that the routine will be hard to establish. Instead, consider a mid-week or Monday evening routine. As far as deciding where to house the pile of backpacks, hooks and kids are a good match; you’re more likely to get a child’s coat on a hook than on a hanger and hooks work equally well for backpacks. However, finding a stud right where you need your hooks can be tricky. Consider mounting hooks on a piece of wood and attaching the wood to the wall where the studs are. Paint the wood the color of the wall and it will blend in nicely. A double hook per child can be a great solution for backpacks, coats and lunch boxes. No room for hooks? Use the closet floor; get a large plastic container for each child and create a home for backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes and accessories. Make sure it’s big enough to house what you need, but so large that it becomes a bottomless pit.
Supplies - Consider the school supplies that are needed for homework and school projects and where they can be housed for easy access and storage. If you’re using a multipurpose surface, consider using a basket or plastic container to house supplies that can be taken out of a closet or cabinet when needed and tucked away when not in use. Place smaller containers within the larger one to help keep supplies in good shape and easy to find. This also gives access to the depth of the container, layering lidded containers helps odd shapes and sizes to fit more comfortably and makes more use of your space. If using a dedicated desk, consider keeping only often used items on and in the desk, with a nearby closet or cabinet housing extras and bulk buys, helping to keep the area clutter-free and focused on studying. A helpful tip when buying your school supplies is to purchase extra or often used items; when something runs out or is worn, you can replace the item quickly from your supply area. It can be challenging to find the item you need four months into the school year and you will often pay more for it when the back to school specials are over. You’ll appreciate not having to make a special trip to the store and the ease already having whay you need.
Artwork and keepsakes – are you two layers deep without a bare inch showing on your fridge? Let’s explore other options for saving and honoring the creations of our children. Let’s begin by giving it honor, instead of falling off the fridge or getting lost with the other creations. Limit the display to one or two items per child and consider an area other than the fridge. Is there a bare wall adjacent to the kitchen or family room that you could install a chalkboard or cork board? Another idea is to install an artwork display “string” either one you can purchase or one you make from decorative knobs and a length or string or ribbon. Use clothes pins to attach the artwork and rotate as new pieces are created. Picture frames that are held together with magnets make for a great display solution with easy access. As they are typically made from plexiglass, they are simple and versatile. A helpful solution for the many items brought home from school is to assign and plastic container for each child that the items are put into as they are brought home or taken down from their display area. Make it a routine to purge the container once or twice a year to ensure the keepers are manageable. It is typically easier to make decisions on what to keep and what to toss when there is time separating the decision.
As you wave goodbye on the first day of school, we hope these ideas will help to set you up for a more organized school year!