Just a simple notebook can revolutionize your life!
Credit: Pocket Planner | ©Peoplepc images
Does it drive you insane to see papers scattered everywhere? I know how you feel! I worry that important papers may be lost. And I hate the clutter! This is how I keep from losing small children under mounds of paperwork.
The most important idea is to keep what you need convenient and get rid of everything you don't need. Sort all mail, school papers ASAP. Immediately throw out or recycle anything you don't want or need; shred or deface anything with personal information (ie credit card offers). Keep a folder or bin for 'unclaimed papers' that you find laying around. Inform the family where this is and that you will empty it weekly.
You will also need some inexpensive supplies:
Dry-erase blank calendar ( I like the 2month kind). Write all family events on this-use a different color for each person's activities. Keep this calendar near your 'command post' with phone, accordion file and organizer/wallet readily available. Having your computer desk nearby would be helpful. When calls come in, jot info on wall calendar and organizer. Keep a notepad available for family members to post messages on bulletin board
Bulletin board for each child-label 3 columns:
HOMEWORK pin each week's homework under it
NEED HELP pin up any work that they had trouble with or want your help with
EVENTS/MEMOS pin any info here. Be sure to note it in your planner.
---The older they are, the more they can monitor this themselves.
---Pitch out all the worksheets.
---Save the big stuff that they obviously worked hard on; at the end of the year you and your child choose 3-4 things to save in a scrapbook.
---You can use artwork as greeting cards. Have child jot a note on the back and cheer up Gram and Gramp.
---For grades K-5, most schools use a Friday Folder in which they keep all work and notes and send home once a week. Collect anything that you need to sign, bring in or send money for. Keep these notes in your planner.
Planner/wallet: A zippered kind keeps it all together. Use this to store all pertinent paperwork. Be sure to purge this occasionally when items become outdated.
Receipts (for returns or rebates) Attach to credit card bills to check to track purchases.
The most important idea is to keep what you need convenient and get rid of everything you don't need. Sort all mail, school papers ASAP. Immediately throw out or recycle anything you don't want or need; shred or deface anything with personal information (ie credit card offers). Keep a folder or bin for 'unclaimed papers' that you find laying around. Inform the family where this is and that you will empty it weekly.
You will also need some inexpensive supplies:
Dry-erase blank calendar ( I like the 2month kind). Write all family events on this-use a different color for each person's activities. Keep this calendar near your 'command post' with phone, accordion file and organizer/wallet readily available. Having your computer desk nearby would be helpful. When calls come in, jot info on wall calendar and organizer. Keep a notepad available for family members to post messages on bulletin board
Bulletin board for each child-label 3 columns:
HOMEWORK pin each week's homework under it
NEED HELP pin up any work that they had trouble with or want your help with
EVENTS/MEMOS pin any info here. Be sure to note it in your planner.
---The older they are, the more they can monitor this themselves.
---Pitch out all the worksheets.
---Save the big stuff that they obviously worked hard on; at the end of the year you and your child choose 3-4 things to save in a scrapbook.
---You can use artwork as greeting cards. Have child jot a note on the back and cheer up Gram and Gramp.
---For grades K-5, most schools use a Friday Folder in which they keep all work and notes and send home once a week. Collect anything that you need to sign, bring in or send money for. Keep these notes in your planner.
Planner/wallet: A zippered kind keeps it all together. Use this to store all pertinent paperwork. Be sure to purge this occasionally when items become outdated.
Receipts (for returns or rebates) Attach to credit card bills to check to track purchases.
- Get rid of what you don't need immediately.
- Keep items in order by date.
- Color code each family member's activities.
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