Getting organized for back to school

Posted Aug. 16, 2008

(WTNH) - It's back to school time again. It seems like summer just slipped away. But now it's time for us all to find a way to transition our families to a school schedule. Here to help us out is Organizing expert Lisa Lelas.

Sorry, due to a technical problem, we are unable to post the video portion of this segment.

Information provided by our guest:
www.LifestylingwithLisa.com

Lisa Lelas
Life Coach, Professional Organizer, Author/Speaker
Owner of Life Styling, Guilford, CT (203) 457-2223
Host of "The Organizing Minute" on AM Talk Radio

Getting Organized for Back-To-School
It's that time of year again! By bringing some basic organizing strategies into your home you can simplify the transition back to school.

Things you can & should be doing NOW:
" Set Alarm Clocks! Start getting kids to bed a little bit earlier and wake them earlier to get adjusted to new schedules/routines.
" Eating a healthy breakfast. It's important to initiate healthy early morning routines now. Studies prove that kids who eat breakfast before school focus better.
" Take advantage of back to school sales. Purchase supplies now.
" Prepare a Homework Center: keeping all supplies convenient for your kids. Teens may prefer it at a desk area in their rooms while younger kids may prefer a homework nook in a kitchen cabinet, or, if space is an issue, consider a portable homework center on wheels that you can tuck into a closet when homework is done.
" Find the perfect backpack or book bag for your child.  The American Chiropractic Association suggests backpacks never exceed 10% of your child's weight. Wide padded straps are another consideration for comfort ...and adjust the straps: don't have your child wear it too low. The backpack should never hang more than 4 inches below the waistline or the child will lean forward . Not good for posture/backs.

When school BEGINS:
" Put up a large family calendar or dry erase board where everyone will see & use it
To keep track of school & after-school activities. Assigning a different color marker for each family member to use makes it very easy to keep organized.
" Create an Action Folder or bin for each child  to organize important school papers
" Set up a Kids Activities Folder containerizing all after school information, such as registration forms, contact numbers, a quick glance activities schedule, etc.
" Have an open bin handy for quickly dropping in old schoolwork/artwork from their backpacks everyday. Once a month, sort thru and select just a few to save.
" Establish a School Memory box or file system for storing just a few school papers and artwork from each school year. (Saving too much only gives kids clutter).
" Create a School Launch & Landing Pad for their things to take to school and drop off when returning home from school, such as hooks for jackets & backpacks, cubbies for gym sneakers or hats, etc.
" Remember Not to Forget. Create a simple system right by the doorway (with a small weekly schedule or a door knob hanger to help remind you of the kid's school day needs...such as 'sneakers on gym day, violin on music day, library book on library day', etc.

Tips prepared by Professional Organizer, Lisa Lelas of LIFE STYLING in Guilford, CT. Visit www.LifeStylingwithLisa.com