Organizing Kids Paperwork

Paperwork solutions to get organized for the school year:

http://youtu.be/kwztJrb1b2Y

Backpack Home

Get out the door quickly in the morning!  My nieces Clare and Emma and nephew Max have this principle down when they stay at my parents house!

•Spot where child put’s backpack in its “home” every time

•They will always be able to find backpack

•Return the backpack after homework is completed, so it is where they expect it to be  each morning.

•Put other things need to remember near the backpack: gym clothes, school supplies, etc.

Color Code Your Studying

Short vlog to help children get organized to be better prepared for school, tests and studying!

http://youtu.be/pCLSbE4YNUA

Organizing Your Mind for the School Year

First, take some time to reflect:

What do you want to accomplish for the school year?

What does your child want to focus on?

What are the priorities for the family?

Then, decide on goals:

Do you Zwaggle?

Check out this short vlog for a great resource for parents to save money for Back to School!

http://youtu.be/1TTRRaq6JHo

Sip Smart this Summer

• Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year.
• Nearly eight out of every 10 bottles will end up in a landfill.
• It is estimated that the production of plastics accounts for 4 percent of the energy consumption in the U.S.

By making a simple switch to a BPA-free bottle will save you money & be better for the earth.  You can buy one for each family member in his or her favorite color.  (I recommend coordinating backpacks, school supplies, bath towels, toothbrushes, etc. for children).

http://www.waterbobble.com/

http://www.evergreencanteen.com/Brands/CamelBak

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/

Organizing for the Beach

I am a big fan of color coordinating for children. It makes it easier not only for the kids, but also the parents!  Get a big tote bag and coordinate towels, water bottles, toys.  The kids could only pack what fits in the tote.  We also reminded them that if they wanted to bring back seashells there would have to be room. It was easy to unpack and pack again.  Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses!

Here are some great eco-friendly options for the beach:

Recycled sailcloths bags:

http://www.bangalla.com/

Organic beach towels:

http://www.sustainablog.org/categories/bathroom/towels/beach-towels

Eco-bobble water bottle BPA recycle plastic:

www.waterbobble.com

Organizing Kids Paperwork

Watch this short vlog to learn a variety of tips on organizing children’s paperwork!

http://youtu.be/kwztJrb1b2Y

Helping Children Let Go of Stuff

Part of organizing your home includes your children’s rooms! Even if the rest of the house is organized, children might be a challenge.

If your children are having trouble letting go of things, take them to visit some charities and let them see firsthand where their toy or stuffed animal would go. Once they see it would have a good home and that there is someone who might need it more than they do, they will hopefully be able to let their belongings go.

Right after birthdays and the holidays is a good time to purge.

If your children are old enough ask them what being disorganized has cost them? I had one client whose daughter didn’t get school pictures because she didn’t turn her form in.  She swore she had done so.  We found the form when de cluttering and organizing their playroom.

Unnecessary Mind Clutter: Letting Go

With 2012 around the corner, take time to examine what you need to declutter in your mind: old loves, people who don’t treat you well, stress over things you cannot control, a job you hate, a mate that doesn’t treat you well….

After you come up with a list, start to take concrete actions that you can do to declutter these people/situations/items from your life.  Ask yourself what it is costing you to keep these people/items around.  When I finally realized how miserable I was in my last job, I started planning my business.  The job still sucked, but everyday I did something for my business which made the job more tolerable: I knew there was an end in sight and I was building my future.  Letting go helped lift my depression and make space in my mind for all the new, wonderful events coming my way.

I had also held on to some mementos from a relationship that I would hope was leading to marriage.  In my heart I knew it wasn’t, but somehow by keeping some stuff I was holding onto hope that maybe it could work. By clearing the stuff, I also decluttered my heart, allowing me to open up to someone new.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, prosperous, filled with love & happiness year for 2012!

What changes do you need to make?  What can you do today to start letting go of unnecessary clutter?

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