Ease the Morning Rush
August 23, 2010
As the school year approaches, many parents are dreading the hectic mornings that often come along with it. How can you get everyone up, dressed, fed, and out the door on time with their lunches, notes to the teacher, homework, musical instrument, library book, gym shoes, and so on? Follow these tips to ensure easier, happier, less stressful mornings that you can actually enjoy with your children.
• Charts – Create a chart for each of your children that lists all of the things that need to get done each morning and after school, categorized by day of the week. Some tasks, like going through daily folders and mail, cleaning out lunch boxes, and doing homework will be on each of the days, while other tasks, like return library book or bring gym shoes, will only occur on some of the days. Post this “master list” near where they store their coats and backpacks. Remind them to check their chart after school each day and before they head out the door each morning.
• The Night Before – Look ahead to the next day to be sure lunches and snacks are packed and see what activities are scheduled. Then pack up most things the night before (lunches, snacks, homework and paperwork). Clothes are the same; planning out outfits the night before will prevent the indecision, or “I need to wear this and it’s dirty” problem.
• Morning Time – If you have a child who has a hard time getting out of bed in a timely manner, provide them an incentive like extra playtime. Even if it is 5 minutes, kids enjoy being able to do what THEY want. If you find your child is having a tough time ending playtime when it is time to leave, simply set a timer and when it goes off, it’s time to stop. If they cannot stop, they lose their playtime for the next morning.
• Getting Out the Door – Before playtime in the morning, have your children be responsible for lining up everything they need at the door. When it is time to go, there are no excuses for not being prepared.
It sounds like a lot, but kids secretly crave routines and structure. After doing this for a week, they will be pros and it will take no time at all. I find it much easier for me to ask them once if they have checked their chart, rather than nag at them for each of the items on the chart. It has made a huge difference in our morning routine – give it a try and see for yourself!
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
For more organizational tips and ideas visit Organize-It.
Organizing Your Dorm Room
August 16, 2010
Well, it’s that time of year again when kids and parents are preparing for the start of school. If you or your child is heading off to college, you might be wondering how you will possibly fit all that stuff into an area seemingly smaller than a prison cell. The most important thing to consider is that given the minimal horizontal space, you need to make the most of the vertical space. Here are some examples:
Black Storage Cube
• Interlocking Wire Storage Cubes – these are a staple item in any dorm room. You can store just about anything in them from sweaters to books to snacks. You can also store totes in here to group shower supplies or laundry supplies together.
• Closet Organizers – even though the closets are tiny, there are still things you can do to maximize what little space you do have. A double hang closet rod allows you to double your space for hanging clothes by providing a second rod that hangs from the first. Other options for your closet include hanging shoe organizers, hanging sweater organizers, and shoe racks or stackable drawers for the bottom.
Closet Shelf Organizer
• Shelving – vertical shelving around your desk can provide useful storage space for books, class materials, computer equipment, CDs, DVDs, etc.
• Beds – don’t overlook the beds themselves. If your school will allow it, making your beds into a loft nearly doubles your living space. If that is not an option, see if you can bunk the beds or use bed risers. If neither of these options is feasible in your dorm room, make use of the space under your bed with under bed storage containers. This can be a great place to store bulky items like sweatshirts or sweaters. You can also store your luggage under your bed.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
•Over the Door – there are so many over the door hooks, racks and organizers on the market now. Hooks can be great for hats, coats and wet towels. Shoe organizers can be great for shoes, but you can get creative as well. The pockets can be used for other things like lotions, hair products, hair brushes, accessories and more.
Some schools can provide the dimensions of your room before you arrive. This can be extremely helpful in allowing you to plan before you arrive. In addition to the tips mentioned above, don’t forget to be realistic about how much you really need to take to college. For example, if you are coming home at all during the school year you can swap out clothing for the changing seasons. Now, get packing. Congratulations – college is such an exciting and memorable time in your life. These organizing skills that you practice in your dorm room will serve you well the rest of your life!
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
For more back-to-school organization ideas visit Organize-It.
Introducing our Organizing Expert, Donna Lindley
August 16, 2010
Organize-It is excited to introduce Donna Lindley as our Organizing Expert for our new blog. Donna Lindley is a Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Organize Your World, Inc. based in Rochester Hills, MI.
Donna founded Organize Your World, Inc. in 2003. She and her team of professional organizers bring simplicity to their clients’ lives and environments, and help them to reduce stress, regain control, and find more time to do the things which they enjoy most in life. Organize Your World, Inc. is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
Prior to founding Organize Your World, Inc., Donna graduated with honors from Hope College, majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she spent nine years as a Manager with Accenture, a global management consulting company. When she’s not organizing, Donna enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family.
In this new blog, Donna and her team will convey simple, practical, and easy-to-implement organizing tips and solutions that align with their philosophy “when you organize your life, you simplify your life”.
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