Declutter for Back-to-School
August 12, 2011
As summer is winding down, this is a great time to declutter in preparation for the start of school. Here are the key areas to tackle:
- Clothing – Now is the time to try on the pants and long sleeves. Sort through all of the drawers and closets and get rid of what doesn’t fit. What you can’t use can be donated or passed along to a friend or family member. By going through this process, their closets and drawers get cleaned out and organized, you make room for new items, and you will likely save money by shopping during the back-to-school sales and only buying what your child needs.
- Cubby – Whether your child has a cubby, hooks, or a closet where they store their belongings, this is a great area to organize. The key here is to make sure there is a dedicated “home” for their backpack, shoes and coats. This is such an important spot for kids of all ages. Organizing this space will make the morning routine much smoother.
- School Supplies – Sort through your child’s school supplies from years past. If it is anything like our experience, you are sure to discover that you already have some of your required items for this school year.
- Work Area – Wherever your child prefers to do their homework, it pays to take a few minutes and organize this space. Ensure supplies are in good working order, clear the workspace of unnecessary clutter, and make a list of any supplies to purchase.
Help your child start the school year off right by getting organized now!
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
3 Interesting Observations on Life Lists
August 10, 2011
This is an excerpt from a newsletter by from Marcia Francois (my list hero!) – Enjoy!
In the process of updating my 36 things list and making a new 37 things list (Marcia’s 37th birthday was last week – Happy Birthday!), and talking about these a bit too much with friends and colleagues, I realized a few things: Continue Reading
Choose the Right Backpack to Stay Organized
August 8, 2011
August already?! As summer flies by, I can’t help but notice all of the back-to-school displays at the local stores. One of my kids’ favorite purchases always seems to be the backpack. Aside from choosing their favorite color, how can you help your child find the best backpack for their needs? Here are some things to consider when backpack shopping:
- Straps – Whether your child is starting elementary school or headed off to college, padded straps are a must. This feature will ease back strain and increase comfort.
- Weight & Durability – Again, regardless of your child’s age, look for a backpack that is lightweight and durable. They will be carrying enough books, notebooks, etc. They don’t need any additional bulk.
- Laptop – If your child will be taking a laptop back and forth to class, look for backpacks that are specially designed to protect laptops.
- Sections – Avoid a backpack that only has one main compartment. It is not difficult to find a backpack with padding and durability, but the right combination of pockets and compartments takes some planning. Just like any other space that you are organizing, you need to consider how the space will be used and what you will put in the space. What types of things will your child be carrying back and forth to school? Books, binders, notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, cell phone, laptop, calculator, shoes or boots, others? Once you have a list together of the different groups of things, you can determine how many sections your child needs and how large each pocket should be.
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
Check out Organize-It’s school backpacks collection!