Having a system for everything is seriously my stellar parenthood survival strategy. Period. I am such a happier mom who can enjoy all the crazy fun and random mommy moments with my boys. It is not a matter “IF” unexpected things will happen, it is just a matter of “WHEN” the unexpected will happen when we do errand running like Back to School Shopping. I am totally fine with it because I am PREPARED both mentally and physically energy-wise. As long I have my dang map, AKA “organized system” to help guide me, ALL IS GOOD, not biggie, no problem. No matter your season of life young mom or empty nester, life is filled with many speed bumps folks so we just need just buckle up and enjoy the ride. May this week’s Teachable Tip {Back To School}… Get Your Supplies AND Brain In Order helps navigate us both to happier trails this Fall Season.
Happy Days Come Thru Organized Ways!
Your professional organizing guru,
Danielle Wurth
Professional Organizer, Workshop Author and Speaker
Wife of Happy Hubby 17+ yrs and Mother of Two Super Special Boys
Contributor of Real Simple Magazine
www.wurthorganizing.com
This Week’s Teachable Tip…
{Back To School}… Get Your Supplies AND Brain In Order
Gather all your school supplies together in one area
Grab a few shoe boxes or small bins to help you gather all the supplies together.
Get your kids involved in the sorting process
The more your kids are involved in ANY organizing process, then more likely they are to own it, take responsibility for it and therefore become more independent adults. Learning how to use their core organizing skills and repeat those systems will make them more confident in themselves as an effective life skill.
Start putting “like with like”
Colored pencils, markers, gather eraser tops in a small Ziploc baggie etc.
Now you are aware of what you HAVE – now you can find what you NEED.
Print Your Child’s Class Supply List from Their Website – Make (3) Copies
(1) copy to binder clip to larger shopping “Take to School Bag” with that child’s name on it
(1) Copy for you to place on a clipboard and take to the store
(1) For your child to help assist you at the store
Mark what items you have at home such as 2 of 5 on the sheet so know you need to buy 3 more.
Make it a Simple One Stop Shop. Period
I get all my supplies at Office Max – here’s why:
1.) I can get ALL my supplies under one roof, pricing is sooo reasonable esp. with website or Sunday Coupons
2.) The store and staff is incredibly organized so you can get in and out easily
4.) You earn generous rewards to redeem later such as $10 off when you spend $25.
Shopping at the Store
I kindly bribe them if they behave nicely they get to select a treat at the checkout counter.
Unloading at Home
Use my dining table to lay out all the items and un-package item and label with my label maker of sharpie of my child’s name accordingly.
Highlight Final Purchases on Your Supply List.
Highlight item on your list when you place it into your “Take to School Bag”, once pencils are sharpened etc. My vote would be to work on EACH CHILD’S sheet at a time shouting out what you need and have them place it into the bag. Set a timer and make it fun and memorable!
Designate Core Everyday Items from Back Stock
Biggest challenge I see in client’s homes is they BLEND these categories together and often in multiple rooms! Oh no please stop doing that! It becomes daunting to know what you HAVE and what you NEED being blended together.
Stop wasting your precious energy and by OVERBUYING items
Simply store a few items in a CORE drawer (preferably the kitchen drawer) with a removable tray and the REMAINDER put aside in a BACK STOCK in a square bottomed shoe box type of tote.
Designate a Back Stock Location – Must be in a location where the kiddos have NO ACCESS. I use the high shelf in my laundry room – other solutions offered with clients are a utility, hall linen or coat closet.
Go forth with a great BIG kick off to another stellar Back School Season!
NO any more organized THIS season than you were LAST season? We would love to help you bring it all together and offer you a FRESH START for this year!
