Back to School Ready in 5 Steps

Those lazy days of summer are slowly beginning to end. If you reside in New England fall will slowly creep in with its chilly mornings, early sunsets and beautifully colored leaves. Just as everything outside begins to adapt to the season change our homes will as well . Shorts are replaced with jeans, flip flops with sneakers and backpacks filled with sunscreen and towels are replaced with books and pencils.

Whether you are inviting in a new season or not being back to school ready is important. I created a quick checklist to be sure your home and your children can transition into the schedule change with ease.

Closet Check- What can stay and what can go? Weed through your child's closet just as you would your own. Create a keep pile, donate pile and toss pile. Once you have a clear picture of what is needed make a list before heading out to the stores.

Backpack- Some schools may have a list of supplies they suggest your child have before heading back to school. Check the school's website for information. Keep the supplies in their backpack once they are purchased so that when they are off to school nothing was missed.  

Routine- Bedtimes will most likely change, as will the rise and shine times. Early to bed and early to rise one week prior to adjust into the new time change is important. It is also important to go over your child's before and after school routine. Whether you carpool or they take the bus go through their daily commute to be sure they understand. If it is something that will change week to week create a schedule that is displayed on your fridge to ensure they have a reference point.

Homework Station- Create a designated homework area preferably in a place where they can concentrate and is the least distracting. For great tips and tools on how to create this space click here http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/HomeOrganization/Pages/homework-station-how-to.aspx.

Get to Know Your Child's School - Whether your child is entering into a new school or the same one having a clear understanding of the operational aspects is important. Their after school activities available, they way they will handle communication in case of an emergency and getting to know the staff is important.

Here's to another great year for all of your children and happy organizing!

Comments or questions? Please feel free to share!

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Permanent Top Ten List- Daily Life Assignments

To do lists. They are ever changing and on going. They are written or typed up almost as if we have an automatic "list it" button that goes off daily. There are the weekly grocery lists, 
always the least or most popular, depending on how you feel about them. I am certain to carefully plan them out days prior to my food shopping extravaganzas. You may even prefer to plan your food menu list for the week, which could include your children's lunches.The appointment lists run a close second behind the food to dos. The appointment times and locations are always in plain sight on my fridge's magnetic dry erase board. Then of course the lists of gifts to purchase around the holidays or the decorations needed. Every occasion needs a list! I can safely assume these to dos have morphed into daily life assignments for all of us. As an organizer I recommend lists and praise them. They do offer a moment of clarity as you write down your tasks. In what could be a jumbled mess swirling around in our heads, somehow seeing them on paper offers us a brief sense of accomplishment as we cross begin to cross things off.

Two years ago I created a permanent to do list. One that is not defined by how busy I am or how I ran out of soy milk and eggs. It doesn't list all of the appointments my husband and I have, or the bills that need to be paid. The only change it does require is from within. It encompasses the broader aspects of our lives that we sometimes can miss out on because we are too busy making other plans. A midst the daily tasks of life it does help to put things into perspective.  I'm going to share with you my top ten to do list, or as I refer to it my "permanent top ten". 

1. Once per week part with one item in my home and donate it. 
2. Take time everyday to be a good listener.
3. Be grateful for what I have, it is enough.
4. See everyday challenges as a learning opportunity rather than an obstacle.
5. Call friends and family every week to say hi.
6. Go through one area of my home monthly that I feel needs some organization inspiration.
7. Face fears and hesitations with confidence, never losing sight of my dreams.
8. Replace I wish with I will.
9. Do not let comparison steal my joy.
10. Everyday be myself.

If you found this post to be helpful or have comments you'd like to share please feel free!

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