How do you stay organized during the school year?
What do you do to not get lost in the sea of papers your kids bring home from school each day?
Where do important papers go?
What ‘tricks’ have kept your family organized during this busy back-to-school time?
The very funny thing about this ‘2 Tricks to an Organized School Year’ is that I started the video for it right after I sent How Every Family Can Start the School Year Off Right live.
And I was all proud of the video piece, and I was all smilin’ from the great feedback and emails I received from readers about the blog post, and I was all feelin’ good about how organized our life was. Everything was well and good.
Then I walked up to school and picked up Maddy, Owen, Cora, and two of their friends.
They played at the park for a while, ate some snacks, played some more, and we then came on home. I did not–and I repeat–did not follow my own advice that I share in today’s video because, well, it was Friday.
And it was a double playdate.
And it was a long weekend.
And we were planning on heading out for one last hurrah at the pool.
And, well, it was Friday.
And what we realized–on Sunday!–was that we didn’t have Owen’s backpack with us.
Backpack. Gone. Missing. Nada. Zip. Zero on the O-Man’s backpack.
We were so totally organized, and we were so totally starting the school year off right that we lost our kid’s backpack the first week of school.
Somehow, I managed to bring home five lunchboxes, a few extra bags, a few water bottles, five kids, and four backpacks. Four.
The good news was that on Monday, we packed Owen’s soccer backback, we all walked up to school, and we all hit the good ole Lost and Found. And lo an behold, sitting right there, in the center of the stage in the All Purpose Room (because it was, after all, day six of school so the Lost and Found box wasn’t even out yet), was Owen’s backpack.
Sitting there, all lonely through the long weekend, waiting for us to find it.
Owen and his backpack were reunited. Woot!
Here’s the skinny. . .
- 2 Tricks to an Organized School Year: Take ’em or leave ’em, but know that even as hard as I try, I’m totally far from perfect. I’m just doing what I can to get by with a smile on my face, keeping the family smiling and sneaking in a little learning–for all of us–along the way.
Hopefully you can find the humor in the lost backpack experience, considering the fact that in this video I’m all about staying organized, and I mention more than once that organization is an every day, every hour, all-the-time job.
Maybe I should stay more on top of things, huh?
What are YOUR tricks for staying organized through the school year? Is there something you’ve done that’s really worked? Do tell!
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE the everything has a home idea–it appeals to my perfectionistic Virgo self! And I try to follow that with my kids, but, alas! They are of a different nature and resist me at every turn :(. Anyway, we’ve pretty much done what you do as well. B and J each have a little homework caddy on the dining room table with all their materials in it: pencils, markers crayons ruler sharpener sticky notes etc. I like that the caddy can just be moved off the table if were having company and the kids are close enough to me if they need help or they can work independently. I just added a see through folder to store long term assignment sheets.
Dana!! I need to run into you more often in real life, my friend!! Love the idea of the traveling homework caddy–such a great idea!!
I love your story above! Being a busy mom and 3rd grade teacher myself, I have had the same thing happen to me. Fridays are especially challenging because we want to forget the routine and just enjoy our weekend, right?
Traci! I agree!! I am so thankful that you took the time to read–and share your experience! I sent the post live and wondered, ‘Will everyone think I’m nuts?’ *oh well. .. * Thanks for reading, my friend! Totally appreciate it–and YES! Fridays are different!!
Amy,
I started a family binder(idea from Karen Ehman’s book “The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized) Anyhow I took a 1” binder and clear pages. There is one page for each activitiy for each kiddo that are labeled. There is also a school menu page. When notes come in from school, scouts, 4-H or sports, I read them and copy the info onto the calender, but them they are filed into the correct page so that if I need to double check times I can. I also have the boys put permission slips/forms etc that need my attention into the binder and I look through it or at least know where to look for those items when they need turned in.
ROBIN!! Great idea! I love it–and I’m sure the option will be so helpful for other families as well!! I don’t know why, but I never thought of a 3 ring binder as an option for organizing my family–sure, it was great for school, lessons, work, etc but why not family stuff??! Awesome! Thanks for reading, and huge thanks for writing and sharing, my friend!!
I love this story!!! Thanks for the video. I hope you guys have a wonderful school year.
thanks so much, Brandy!! I MISS you! Hope you are doing well–and when you get a sec, send me a family update! 🙂 xoxo
Love the video!!
I have been using the binder method but I think I will switch to an accordion folder for those fliers, coupons, etc. to keep it contained. Oh and girl scouts. I need one just for that too.
Thanks again for all you do. I love the site and look forward to more videos!
Katherine–
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to write! Totally appreciate it–and I so appreciate your kind words, my friends–many, many thanks!
My kids are getting bigger and I am going to have to remember this great tips as they bring more and more work home. Just pinned it so I won’t forget!
My child is going to Kindergarten this year too, so I thought I would share with you his sulppy list. 1 Dozen #2 Pencils1 large pink eraser1 Pair of scissors- 5 rounded tip2-3 Boxes of Crayola Crayons- 8 Pack1 Box of Crayola markers- 8 pack, classic, washable4-6 Glue Sticks4 two pocket folders with prongs (Different colors)1 Box facial tissues1-2 100 page Notebook(s)1 container of wet wipes1 Roll of paper towels1 Box gallon size Ziplock bagsSmall backpackThis is his list but I would also bring a change of clothes in-case he has an accident! Hope this helps!
Great ideas! I need to find homes for everything. The items I do have homes for – I feel brilliantly organized. The items without a home – overwhelm me. Will work on finding homes. (One of the categories without a current home is Coupons/Sales Fliers (flyers? fliers?)…so I will use an accordion file for those now.)
I had to pause your video at the calendar because it threw me off. A city near my home is called Oconomowoc – and at first, I thought your calendar had the name Oconomowoc in it with one letter per square. It didn’t…. but for a second I was happy to think you might live near me. 🙂
Sunny! Thanks so much for dropping by, my friend! THAT city mix-up may be the most hysterical thing I have heard in a long time! We were ALMOST neighbors in your mind! Sorry! But thanks for giving me a smile tonight!
Nice video. i am a mom of 3 kids and managing their stuff could be nerve wracking!. i totally get you