Organizing for School

I love the idea of a fresh start. Now that the kids have been back to school for about two weeks, this is a great time to make a fresh start in your home. Why wait until January 2013?

Here is what I did to prepare my children (and myself) for back to school. If you are feeling a little disorganized, it is not too late to implement these tips. 

1) Update the Family Binder

If you do not have a family binder, or even know what it is, now is a great time to set one up. The family binder functions as one place where you can store all of those important papers that you will need to refer to in the future. 

My family's binder is simply a three ring binder (that I already had) filled with babysitter information, school class information and information related to activities such as swimming or soccer. I like to use and reuse Avery's erasable tabs, so it is easy to switch from year to year.

Take the time now to clear out the old and make room for the new.  

2) Update the Calendar

Dexter Schools has a PDF version of the school calendar online. While more detailed calendars are coming out from teachers and clubs, take the time now to post all those holiday breaks and random days off into your personal calendar. 

Transferring the school, church or activity calendar into your own calendar as soon as it is available is a great habit to get into to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. 

3) Shift the Schedule

Most of us let our schedules slide a bit in the summer. If your kids turned into night owls over the summer and are still struggling to get up in time, slowly shift bedtimes earlier in five minute increments. 

Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. Carolyn will be presenting "Easy Organizing for Busy Families" at My Urban Toddler in Saline, Michigan on September 26, 2012 (childcare is available, check with My Urban Toddler for details). Register with My Urban Toddler by Wednesday, September 19, 2012.