(BPT) - With the school year in full swing and holidays just around the corner, parents are busier than ever. Staying on top of work, social gatherings, and activities can be challenging, but with the right tools and preparation, you can set your family up for success. Organizing expert Rachel Rosenthal shares her best tips on how she keeps her family and her clients organized all year round!
1. Create family donation bins
Every 3-4 months, do a purge to clear out clutter and old clothes. Instead of putting them in a garbage bag, keep an aesthetically pleasing bin or basket in a central area of the home for your family to easily drop in items they no longer use. Once full, take it to your local donation center or call directly for a free pickup service - many donation centers offer convenient pickup services to take donations off your hands. This will help declutter your space throughout the year as your kids outgrow clothing, shoes and toys, and also allows room for new items without the house feeling cluttered with stuff you no longer use.
Having donation bins around the house also keeps the entire family involved in the organizing process and shows your children the importance of keeping their own space clean while giving back to others.
2. Create a homework schedule
As a mom, it is important for me to make sure school comes first for my kids, and that includes time management! I like to help them track their time so they can get their schoolwork done without feeling overwhelmed.
On our family calendar, we use Post-it® Super Sticky Notes to categorize and color code homework and study time. The Summer Joy, Supernova Neons and Energy Boost collections offer plenty of color options so everyone can choose their favorite and get involved in the process. Sometimes we'll even add rewards and activities so they can see that when they get their studies done, they have more time for fun!
3. Meal prep
Meal prepping may feel like a lot of work, but it saves time during the week and leaves more opportunities to connect as a family. As part of your weekly routine, set a day and time to plan your meals, make a shopping list, and prepare for the week ahead.
Avoid menu fatigue by getting the whole family involved. Everyone can help choose meals, shop for groceries, cook, and pack lunches and dinners. Each member of the family can pull weekly dinner recipes from their favorite cookbook and highlight or take notes directly inside any book with Post-it® Transparent Color Notes, removing the guesswork on prep day. Your kids will feel included by voicing their meal preferences all while learning how to organize, make healthy choices and cook.
4. Set up an organized homework cart
All kids can benefit from having a dedicated homework station, regardless of their age or grade. Having a rolling cart for homework organization is great as it can easily be moved from place to place and changed for different family needs throughout the year. Having a homework cart allows you to set up a specific area quickly and easily with all of the resources you need for studying, assignments and projects.
Make sure to stock up on school supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, rulers and Post-it® products. Made with 100% recycled paper, Post-it® 100% Recycled Super Sticky Notes are especially helpful to have on hand.
Check out the dreamy Wanderlust Pastels and Oasis collections, which come in an array of colors so your kids can stay organized, have fun and know they're doing their part to help the environment.
5. Schedule a weekly family meeting
Bring everyone together for a weekly family meeting so you can review the week and prepare for the next. A family meeting is a great opportunity to catch up, address any issues, plan events and make sure everyone is on the same page.
During the family meeting, you can revisit and adjust routines, plan meals, update the family calendar and discuss and delegate responsibilities. It also lets kids get involved in family routines and plans to help build organizational skills and habits early on.
Staying organized during the school year feels less like a chore when you set your family up for success. By using Rachel Rosenthal's five practical tips, you can create systems to make sure your family is prepared for whatever their week has in store, reduce stress and nurture a positive and functional home environment. Find more tips and tools to help keep your family organized year-round at Post-it.com and follow @Postit on Instagram.
