Back to school: homework and school paperwork coming out your ears? up your wazoo?

If your kids went to a Montessori preschool, you are way ahead of the game! If not, kids organizational skills can be easily taught. 

Mom's work too hard. Make your life easier by teaching your kids to help unpack the car.  Note that this includes unpacking their backpacks!  

Homework Folder: Their homework folder / paperwork should be emptied upon walking through the front door and put in a designated spot on mom's desk (your To-Do Box).

Lunchboxes: The kids should put their own lunchbox in the cupboard, pantry or at least the kitchen counter.

Backpacks: Empty backpack's go on the designated hook or cubby in the garage or entryway. Just like at school!

Now for the paperwork on your desk ...  tackle all paperwork from your desk where you can easily access a recycle bin, calendar, file and a Sharpie.  Assess each piece of paper and direct it to either:

1) To-do box (you have one, right?) Use your Sharpie to circle any relevant dates, information, commitments, etc. You can add it to the calendar later

2) File (just stack it on top of your file, you can put it in the right section later)

3) Your child's homework desk/area

4) Recycle bin

Next, dig through your To-Do Box. As you accomplish a task (write a check for PTA, etc), recycle the associated piece of paper.  As you add something to your calender, recycle the paper.  As you add a new phone number to your address book, recycle the paper.  Get it? Great!

Don't worry about over-recycling: almost everything you think you may one day need can be found on your school's website, through a friend, or on google!

To-Do Box and File pictured above are from The Container Store.