Develop a Homework Routine

Routine is defined as the usual sequence of a set of activities. Having an after school routine that includes a homework time benefits children and parents. When a predictable pattern of activities occurs, children know what is expected. Once the child recognizes that during this time, this activity will always occur, there is less resistance.
First, make a list of your child's after school and evening activities. This list may include: snack, "down time", physical activity, homework, sports, clubs, supper, chores.
Next, determine when your child is the most focused. Some children are ready to do homework immediately, while they are still in the school mode. Others need to eat something, run off some energy, or just relax a bit before they can hit the books. When is your child most ready for homework?
Develop the sequence of activities that works for your child and roughly assign a time to them. (ie. Snack, chores, play time, supper, homework, soccer, relax time, bedtime.) The order is more important that the time. If you child knows homework comes right after supper, for example, he/she expects to do homework during that time. Of course, if homework is after a less structured activity such as play time, a time would need to be specified.
Be prepared for homework time. See http://simplespacesorg.blogspot.com/2009/03/create-portable-homework-station.html for ideas on a homework station.
Children and adults thrive on structure. Having a predictable routine that includes homework will make the school year go more smoothly for everyone. Happy studying!

Prepare for Spontaneity – Invite Guests Over

The weather is finally warm and people are enjoying the outdoors. This is the time for those spontaneous gatherings. It is a bit of an oxymoron – preparing for spontaneity. Having some items on hand, so you can invite guests over, spur of the moment without a trip to the grocery store, increases the chances of actually getting together.

Think simple, throw together foods. Consider who your typically guests would be in determining the menu. You'll have a different menu for families with young children than for a group of adults. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

Simple meals: Hamburgers & hot dogs on the grill, tacos, pizza – Have guests make their own personal pizza.

Appetizers: Frozen appetizers that can be popped in the oven at a moment's notice, veggies & dip, chips & salsa

Desserts: Ice cream with toppings, frozen yogurt, smores: graham crackers, chocolate bars (or my personal favorite – peanut butter cups), and marshmalloww

Beverages: Sweet tea, lemonade, bottled water, soda, wine, beer

What easy foods would you keep on hand? Think simple, make a list and get your supplies. Then next time you see your neighbors out working in their yard, invite them over when they are done and enjoy catching up!

Beginning of Summer “To Do” List (for families with children)

Start the summer off by doing some planning and organizing.

1. With your family, make a list of "Family Activities" you would like to do this summer, for example: ride bikes to park, have a picnic, visit grandma... Schedule these events now. By planning ahead, you will get to do more of the activities you'd like to do.
   


2. Sort & purge all the papers your child/ren have brought home from school. Save a few samples of written work and a few pieces of art work – fewer than ten total. Write the child's name, grade, and year on each selection. Store in a bin, labeled with the child's name. See http://simplespacesorg.blogspot.com/2008/05/end-of-school-year.html for more ideas for memorabilia.
   


3. Toss school supplies that can't be reused and store the rest in a container labeled "school supplies." Next school year you'll have those supplies ready to go.
   


4. Make an Indoors "Unbored" List and an Outdoors "Unbored" List – for each, list at least 20 activities your child/ren enjoy doing. Have your children help brainstorm ideas. When your child says he/she is bored, suggest he/she check the list for some ideas. Really, this works!
   


5. Sort through toys. Toss any that are broken and donate or sell any that your child/ren have outgrown or no longer play with.
   


6. Sort through each child's closet. Toss, donate, or sell any clothing & shoes that they've outgrown or no longer wear.

Plan, declutter, then enjoy your summer!

Child’s Bedroom Transformed

We were so excited to get started on this bedroom that I forgot to take before pictures. Let me describe the before: the bed and floor were full of stuffed animals and other toys, moving around the room was difficult and trying to find a specific toy was overwhelming. Getting to items in the closet was tricky.

This young man made a list of his favorite toys, which were kept in the room. The rest of the toys were removed. His special toys were containerized by category and labeled. He loves having the floor space for playing. He can put his toys away, now that he has defined homes for them. And I witnessed his enthusiasm as he hung up his shirts and put them in his closet.

This is what I love about my work. The effect of our work in the room is much greater than the actual organizing. Imagine, now this child can put away his toys and find the clothes he wants. I believe every parent will agree with me – this is priceless!

Organizing a Student Desk

Students have a lot of items to store in their desks. Having a well organized desk will make finding school work and needed supplies much easier. Better yet, being organized may improve academic performance.

1. Use Folders: Teachers often have specific folder categories they encourage students to use. Find out what your child's teacher recommends and reinforce those. These are commonly used categories:

• Homework Folder – mark one side "To Do" and one side "To Turn In". This folder is for school work that the student needs to take home, complete and return to school. Throughout the school day, when a student has unfinished work, put it in this folder. If he/she has time later in the school day, the work can be taken out of the homework folder and worked on. If not, it's ready to go home at the end of the day. When arriving at school, the "To Turn In" work can easily be located.


• Stay Home Folder – completed and corrected work that is no longer needed at school. Fliers for parents can be put in this folder as soon as they are received.


• Blank Paper Folder – paper student will need for his/her work.


• Subject Folders – assign one subject per folder – store all handouts for that subject.


• No loose paper in the desk. Every paper should fit in one of the assigned folder categories.


• Label each folder.

2. Use a supply bag or box for pencils, crayons, erasers, ruler, and scissors. Use the pencil tray for only a few pencils and an eraser. All other small items ought to be containerized, so they are easy to find.

3. Keep only needed items in the desk:

• Put garbage in the trash as soon as possible.


• Toys take up valuable space. If students are allowed to bring toys for recess, store them in the child's locker.


• Keep excess supplies at home or in your locker until needed.

4. Put items in the same spot in the desk every time they are put away. You'll know right where to look for needed supplies.

5. Organize the desk weekly to maintain order.

Talk with your child about ways to keep his/her desk organized. Ask to see the homework folder daily and the Stay Home Folder daily or weekly, depending on the teacher's schedule. Discuss any concerns with your child and your child's teacher. Encourage your child's efforts to become more organized.

Organizing Basics

Organizing guru, Julie Morenstern, describes steps to get organized, using the acronym, SPACE.

1. Sort – Set up labeled containers (or designated floor space for large projects):

• Toss – anything broken, outdated, unusable
• Donate – any item that is not used
• To Do – projects that haven't been completed. Be honest with yourself. If you don't have the time or knowledge, hire someone to complete the project or abandon the project and donate the supplies.
• Keep in this area
• Belongs elsewhere

Sort items from "keep" into specific categories to meet your needs: "winter decorations, spring decorations, _Name's_ _ off season clothing, pool supplies, outside toys."

2. Purge – This is getting rid of duplicates, items missing parts, and items you don't have a need for. Now that you've sorted you see you have more beach toys than your children ever play with. Now is the time to get rid of what is not used.

3. Assign a home – Determine where each item will go in the space. Put it as close to where it will be used as possible.

4. Containerize & Label – Use containers to hold small items. You've sorted & assigned a home. Now chose containers that are the appropriate size for the category as well as fit in the area selected as "home". Label the containers and shelves, so everyone will know where items belong.

5. Equalize – Make maintaining the order a part of your routine. Put things back when done to keep the space organized.

Adapted from "Organizing from the Inside Out," by Julie Morgenstern

Consumable Gift Ideas

With the current trends of going green and uncluttering our homes, consumable gifts are a great gift option. As you are trying to decide on a gift, think of the person's interests and activities. What does he/she enjoy & appreciate. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Practical gift cards:
  Gas
  Groceries
  Phone
  Auto service
  Car Wash Tokens
  Cleaning service
  
• Entertainment:
  Theater or movie tickets
  Tickets to a sport event, concert, or special event
  Movie rental gift certificates
  Favorite Restaurant gift certificates
  Museum tickets
  Lessons for an area of interest – music, craft, sport
  Gift certificate for a spa: massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure
  Gift card for downloadable music
  Fresh flowers
  
• Wrapable gifts:
  Candy
  Candles – those that are completely disposable
  Gourmet foods/beverages
  Homemade foods
  Stationary/Note Cards & stamps
  Car Care Supplies
  Art Supplies
  School Supplies
  Magazine subscription (purchase one to wrap)
  
• The gift of time – coupons to:
  Babysit
  Run Errands
  Prepare a meal
  Together Time – plan a favorite activity for the recipient
  
• For Children – coupons for fun:
  Parent-child time – the child chooses the activity (within time & budget limits)
  Stay up late
  Dessert before lunch
  Pajamas for the day
  Choose menu for the day
  Extra TV or video game time
  No Chores Day
  
• Donations to a favorite charity in the recipient's name

What are your favorite consumable gifts?

Goal: Space to Play

This bedroom had accumulated boxes of "stuff" for 5 years. This young lady now has space for her treasures and toys, space to play, and room to hang her original artwork on the walls.

Teaching 2nd Graders Organizing Skills

As you may know, January is GO (Get Organized) Month. To promote awareness of what professional organizers do, I brought NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) in the Schools, an organizing program, to Salem Grade School in Salem, WI. I visited five classrooms and talked with second and third graders about the challenges a student faces when he/she is disorganized. Students were amazingly attentive. They brainstormed ideas on how to get more organized. They recognized that being organized will help school performance and allow more time for play. Smart students!!!

To learn more about the NAPO in the Schools program go to http://www.napo.net/who/involvement/naposchools.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

I enjoyed presenting the program, teachers appreciated the message, and the students seemed to love it. What a fun way to start the year!

Time Management is for Kids, Too

Adults often have many obligations – work commitments, family life, volunteer activities, and the list goes on. Children are also balancing more and more activities – school, sports, clubs, etc. As a new school year begins, talk with your child about managing his/her time. Together with your child, determine an appropriate amount of involvement based on the child’s age, personality, and needs.

1. How much time each week will the child participate in after school and/or evening activities? *What activities are required? *What optional activities is he/she interested in?


2. How much time is needed daily for homework?


3. How much “down-time” does your child need to function at his/her best?


4. When is family-time?


5. When will the child take care of his/her chores?

Discuss these questions with your child and help him/her set priorities. Together plan a daily routine that includes the child’s priorities, homework, chores, and time to relax. Then, enjoy a balanced and productive school year!

Prepare for Back to School

Another school year is upon us! The older my kids get, the faster the summers go! Planning ahead will help to make the transition to school days go more smoothly. Here are a few things you can do to prepare.

Command Center - Ready
The command center is the information hub. Include a family calendar with everyone’s schedules marked. Update this as soon as a new event is planned. Designate a specific spot for children to put all the papers they bring home from school. Have files for scheduled events, phone numbers, school information, etc. Spend 10 minutes daily keeping this area current.

Determine how school memorabilia will be handled. See my blog, "End of School Year," May 28, 2008 for ideas.

Homework Station - Set
Make a homework area. Include typical homework supplies – paper, pencils, eraser, etc. See my blog, “Create a Portable Homework Station”, March 3, 2009 for more ideas.

Go Shopping

• School Supplies – Check the list of items required for your student. Make sure you have what is needed and get extra of items that will need to be replaced throughout the year.
• Clothes – Go through closets; remove clothing that is too small, worn out, or your child doesn’t wear. Shop for any needed items.

The beginning of a new school year is exciting! It can also be quite hectic, until a routine is developed. Get a jump-start by making some preparations ahead of time! Then enjoy the last days of summer and the start of the school year.

Back to School Shopping

Yes, it’s that time again. Today I took my three boys shopping for school supplies. Here’s our routine. At the end of last school year, we received a list of required school supplies. I filed these in our “School” file.

This morning, I took out the lists along with all our school supplies left over from last year. Each of my children took his list and marked off items we already had. Of course, for younger children, parents will need to help.

Then we went to the store. Each of the boys picked out his supplies and checked them off the list as the items were put in the shopping cart. (One of my boys even took a clipboard so checking off each item was easier!)

I always buy extra of items that need to be replenished - paper, glue, folders, and pencils. Prices are great during back to school sales and having the supplies at home is so convenient during the school year.

When we got home, we spread everything out on the floor. The boys picked out their items, labeled everything, and put their supplies in their backpacks and a storage bin. I made a list of a few additional items the boys wanted. Then, we stored the bins.

We’re ready for school to start! What routines have you found that are helpful as you get ready for school days?

School Memorabilia

Throughout the school year, when my kids bring home a particularly special work of art or written work, I put their creation in a tote to save for them. Everything else goes in their drawer. Today I made a deal with my kids, ages, 12, 12, and 10. I’d do their chores, if they’d go through their drawer of school papers from the past year and pick out which they’d like to keep.

First, let me explain our tote concept. Each child has a tote labeled “Name’s Memorabilia”. This is for all their memorabilia for all of their school years. Their only guideline is they can’t keep more than can fit in the tote. We have gone through the totes once removing some items to make more room. Now they have gotten the idea of saving a few memorable pieces and tossing the rest.

We had a fun morning remembering events from the past year as they sorted through their drawer of papers. They each picked some items to keep and recycled the rest. The keepers then are moved to their totes and stored in the basement (humidity controlled) and their drawers are empty, ready for next school year’s work.

This is a routine we enjoy each year. It’s not only fun, it’s educational. My children are practicing decision making and learning to sort, prioritize, and set limits for themselves.

What are some ways you handle memorabilia?

Supply Kit for Traveling

If you’ve got an “on-the-go summer” planned, you may want to create a supply kit to keep in the car.

Include typical first aid supplies, such as:

• bandages in a variety of sizes
• gauze pads
• tape
• scissors
• antibiotic ointment
• antiseptic wipes
• tweezers
• instant cold compress
  
  If you already have a first aid kit, check supplies. See what needs to be added and replace any item that has past its expiration date.

You may also want to include:

• hand sanitizer
• baby wipes
• sunscreen
• bug spray
• after-bite gel
• blanket
• snacks

Preparing the supply kit means you’ll be ready for the unexpected, leaving more time for summer fun!

Organizing for Summer Convenience

Here are some simple changes to make in your home for the summer:

1. Place a large lidded bin on the patio to hold outdoor toys. A container close to where the toys are used makes pickup easier.

2. Put sunscreen in a basket by the back door to catch the kids before they get out the door.

3. Store towels near the back door for easy access for kids planning to play in the water. (I use my dining room hutch.)

4. Put a clothes-drying rack on the patio for hanging wet towels & swimsuits to dry.

Small changes in the organization of the home put these summer supplies at your fingertips. What simple adjustments do you make in your home for the summer?

Getting the Laundry Done

Traditionally, best practice for getting the laundry done has been to assign a laundry day, one day designated exclusively to doing load after load of laundry. For today’s typically family that often would mean spending one weekend day taking care of laundry. Weekend time is so valuable! Who wants to spend it doing laundry?

Here is another option: Do a load or two of laundry each day. In the morning, before leaving for work, throw a load in. When you get home, put that load in the dryer and start a second load. By the end of the evening, two loads are done.

Getting children involved: have each child take their full laundry basket to the laundry room. If each child has enough clothing for a dark and a light colored load, one child’s laundry can be done in an evening and putting the clothes away is a snap, since all the clothing washed goes to one room. (Side note: use a laundry bag for each child’s socks to make sorting the socks go faster and prevent socks from disappearing inside sweaters.)

The traditional suggestion has been to have your children collect their clean clothing from the laundry room. The difficulty is, if the child doesn’t get their laundry, the laundry room gets cluttered. Another option is to put the clean clothing in a laundry basket and put it back in the child’s room for him/her to put away.

Of course, as children get old enough to do their own laundry, teaching them and allowing them to take care of their clothes is the most efficient way to take care of the laundry.

Create a Portable Homework Station

Many children do their homework at the kitchen table. To be prepared, have school supplies in a portable workstation. When it’s homework time, all the needed equipment is there.

Items needed may include: pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, paper, glue, and crayons. Older children may also need: pens, dictionary, calculator, and stapler.

A timer helps some children focus. Typically, have student work for 20 minutes; take a 5-10 minute break, then back to work for 20 minutes, etc.

Files, folders, or drawers for:
* Lined Paper
* Completed & Graded Work (to stay home) Look through these papers as
often as your child brings work home. Get rid of what is no longer wanted often. (See http://www.simplespacesorg.blogspot.com/search/label/school - End of the School Year, May 28, 2008, for ideas on saving your child’s work.)
* Important Information for parent – schedules, newsletters, field trip information
* Project Files – for projects that are to be completed over a period of time
when the majority of the work is done at home. (Have a separate file for each project.)

Younger children will need help sorting their papers. Work together, so as the child gets older, he/she is able to take responsibility for sorting papers as they are brought home.

What to use as a Portable Workstation:

- Plastic storage drawers with 3 drawers: one drawer for supplies, one for paper & projects, and one for completed work & important info, OR
- Basket: Use folders for paper items and smaller containers for supplies, OR
- Table top file: use files for paper items and containers for pencils, crayons, etc. (The containers should fit in the file so there is only one item to move when it’s work time.)

Have a storage spot close to the kitchen table for your portable workstation so set up and put away is fast and convenient.

When it’s suppertime, pack up the portable homework station and put it away. You’re got your table back for mealtime!

Double Wammy - Toys, Toys, Toys

My home has been hit by a “double wammy”. In the past month, not only have we celebrated Christmas, all three of my children have celebrated their birthdays. You can guess where I’m going with this. We have had an influx of new toys, gadgets, and games.

How do keep the flood of gifts from throwing your home into a jumbled mess? You need to make space for the new items by purging. Get rid of what the kids are no longer playing with. Donate, toss, or sell the items, just get them out of the home.

Next, find a “home” for all the new items. Some toys may fit into already designated spots. The new doll can join the basket of other dolls. New containers may need to be purchased & labeled for a new category of items, such as the coin collecting kit.

The assigned “home” should be as close to the area the toy is used as possible, so the doll basket will go next to the doll house, the tricycle in the basement or garage, and the science kit near the kitchen sink.

Avoid the overwhelming feeling of chaos. Get into the routine of getting rid of unused items and assigning a specific spot for every item in the home. In this way, keeping control of all the “stuff” becomes much more manageable.

National Declutter Day

This Saturday, November 22, has been declared National Declutter Day. Statistics show we typically use only 20% of what we own. Take some time, even just ten minutes, on Saturday to get rid of a small portion of that 80% that is taking up space and collecting dust.

Grab a garbage bag; scan your shelves, closets, and cabinets. Toss anything in that you haven’t used in the past year. Donate or resell items that are in good condition. Toss items if they would not be of use to others. Get the family involved. See who can fill his/her bag with the most clutter.

Or

Focus on one small area of your home that you’ve been meaning to organize. Keep the project small – one shelf of a closet or one drawer in the kitchen. Sort what you have in the area. Get rid what you never use. Arrange what is left. Return items that belong elsewhere to their “homes”. If you are still in the organizing mood after the first small project, continue.

Keeping a home clutter-free does take time. Remember to routinely take that time to prevent overwhelming clutter from taking over. When done, congratulate yourself and celebrate by doing something you enjoy. Read a book, play video games, have dessert…

Dealing with Winter Wear

The weather is turning cooler. Now is the time to prepare for the onslaught of winter gear that comes with living in the North.

First, put away all the summer gear, since you won’t have a need for it for several months. While you are at it, evaluate what you have. Have you used the item over the past summer? Is it still in good shape? Will it still be of use to your family next summer? If the answers to any of these questions are no, get rid of the item. Store the remaining items. Mark the container “Off Season Outdoor Gear”. Then in the summer, winter gear can be stored in the same container; although you may need more containers for all the winter wear.

Now, pull out all the winter outerwear. Get rid of anything that family members have outgrown or are no longer using. Make a list of replacements that need to be purchased. The next step is to find a “home” for everything. Use hooks or hangers for coats and snow pants. Containers or over-the-door purse organizers keep hats and mittens accessible. Boot trays are a wonderful way to protect floors from wet, dirty boots.

Also plan a routine for dealing with the wet outerwear after a romp in the snow. Here are a few options:

1. All wet items are put in a laundry basket, and then thrown in the dryer.
2. Wet coats & snow pants are hung over the bathtub to dry.
3. Mittens, hats, and boots are placed near a heating register until dry.
   

Winter is almost here. How do you get ready?