It's hard to believe the summer is drawing to a close and your children may have already started school or may be starting soon.  Start now to develop a routine that keeps everyone on schedule because it takes a few weeks to master. Here are a few ideas to help you streamline the process of getting ready so children make their bus on time with little fuss:

 1.  Get homework, permission slips, lunch money, and anything else that is needed ready the night before.

 2.  Wake the kids up 1 hour before school is scheduled to start.  This should provide enough time to do all of the morning preparations needed without too much stress.

 3.  Have the kids dress, brush hair, and brush teeth before they come down for breakfast.

 4.  For the most productivity in your morning, make a "No-TV-Before-School" rule. Television  tends to make children lethargic and irritable when you need them to be focused and agreeable.

 5. Have a list of favorite healthy breakfast ideas ready so that little time is spent in trying to decide what they should eat.

 6. Make lunches either the night before or while the kids are eating their breakfast.

 7. Have a list of healthy lunch options available for easy reference.

 8. Set a time for 10 or 15 minutes in order to complete a few chores before school: feed pets, make beds, pick up rooms, etc.

 9. Make sure shoes, jackets, and backpacks are easily accessible to children.

10. Start putting on shoes, jackets, and backpacks about 10 minutes prior to the bus arriving.

With these tips in place and practiced daily, you will find that you will be able to get the kids ready and off to school with much less hassle.

Try them and let me know how you make out!

In the meantime, if you are overwhelmed with the process of getting organized, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to help.

Enjoy your week! 

As you all should know by now, my favorite time of the year is Summer.  The problem is that mid-way through, we have to start thinking about "back to school".  The stores are all filled with supplies and the sales have begun.

Shopping for school supplies can be chaotic if, as with everything else, you don't have a plan.

Here are some ways you can organize your school shopping experience:

Consolidate Your Lists

When you have several kids to shop for, it's best to consolidated everything you need into one big list. Having a master list can save on time dramatically, which I think is a necessity when shopping with your kids in tow!

The school supply circulars are starting to come out in the newspapers, so be on the lookout for the best deals. Since our schools start on August 31st, stock up on supplies now, before the supplies dwindle.  I have found in years past that if I wait until school actually starts, the more specific things we need are already gone.

While you most certainly don’t have to dump everything out on the floor or a table to get the sorting process started, it can definitely get the kids excited. They tend to love rummaging through the pile of school supplies. It can be exciting.  Whether you are a kid or not, there is nothing like a pile of "new stuff".  To make sorting easier and to coral all of the school supplies, I suggest using a separate bin for each child. As you check the supplies off of the lists, you can then put them in their designated bins. Now you are ready to put them away until school starts and easily add the few extra things if you need to.  

Now that you have all of your school supplies neat and orderly, don’t forget the labels! Every school has different rules for what should be labeled.  Make sure you label backpacks, lunchboxes, clothing and outerwear too, especially for the younger ones! After you make the investment on all of that back to school gear, you don’t want it to end up lost!

So, have you started your back to school shopping yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?

Hope these tips help you have a more organized "back to school" experience this year!  If you need help because you are feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of getting organized, contact me at A Better Space.  I will be more than happy to help.

My fondest memories of summer when I was a kid was going to summer camp.  I loved it!  Making new friends and doing lots of activities during the day in a structured environment suited me perfectly.  I got emotionally attached to my camp counselors every year and cried on the last day of camp every single time!

I went to day camp, Girl Scout camp and overnight camp until I got too old to go. 

This is the time of year when school is drawing to a close and you might be sending your kids off the camp.  Whether it's day camp or overnight camp, it takes some preparation. 

Are you ready for Summer Camp?

I found some tips from the American Camp Association that might help you out.

Plan Ahead - Your happy camper will be living out of a duffel bag, trunk or suitcase for the duration of their camping experience.  If you pack light, it will be easier for your camper to keep track of their items and helps them handle their own luggage at camp.

Review Camp Packing Lists - Each camp should provide a recommended camp packing list, complete with any equipment they require, including recommended footwear, etc.  Carefully review that is needed and pay special attention to the items that are not permitted.  Before packing your child's favor hand held gaming system, make sure the camp permits electronic items.  Many do not.  If you're not sure, speak with the camp director to get clarity.

Label Everything - You can use laundry pens, iron-ons and press-and-stick labels to distinquish your child's items from other campers.  Most camps ask that you label each and every item, including clothing, personal items and toiletries.  Make sure your child knows where the label is located on these items.

Break In Shoes and Boots Before Camp Begins - If you are purchasing new sneakers, boots or any other type of shoes for camp, make sure they wear them at least once before they pack them to be sure they will be comfortable.  The last thing your child wants to do is have to sit out on an activity because they new hiking boots make their feet sore.

Prepare Together - Make sure your camper knows what is being packed and where so they can find what they need when they need it.

If you have a specific question, don't hesitate to contact your camp director.  They are there to help you and your camper prepare for an exciting and fun experience.

Enjoy!

If you have any questions about how to get organized or are too overwhelmed and don't know where to begin, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am more than happy to help!

Have a great week! 

I am so excited about my upcoming coaching program for busy moms.  This past year I have been focusing my business on helping busy moms and women entrepreneurs learn how to get and stay organized.

Not ony have I been busy writing newsletters, blogs and articles on the subject of getting organized, I have produced a line of products called U Can Do It which were specially created to help busy moms.

Now, I am pleased to announce that I have put together an exciting, new coaching program called "Living A More Organized Life".

With this quarterly group coaching program which meets by phone, busy moms will learn how to follow a proven step-by-step method to tackle and accomplish any project, be prepared for every special event, plan vacations and family time, make back to school a breeze and learn how to relax and enjoy the holiday season by having step-by-step ways to do gift-giving, decorating, large family dinners/parties and having overnight guests feel right at home.

This program begins on January 12, 2010 and then continues in April, July and October.

I am highly suggesting that busy moms not miss out on this opportunity to learn how to live a more organized life.  If you or someone you know is a busy mom, don't pass this up.  I only have 40 slots available and it will be filling up quickly.

For more information about this program, visit my special information page at www.4abetterspace.com/coaching.

In the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas!

Now that school is in full swing, the kids are already bringing home the artwork that they created in school.  Especially in the early school years, these activities will stimulate your children and help them grow.

No matter how simple or complex, usually these "masterpieces" are brought home and proudly displayed on the fridge or the walls.  However, how do you handle all of it when it starts to take over the home?

Here are some suggestions:

NO NEED TO KEEP EVERY "MASTERPIECE" - Once a month, sit down with your child and ask him or her to choose the one they like the best from that month's collection.  By the end of the school year, you should only have about 10 pieces.  You can take those 10 and narrow it down even further.  This will keep the artwork under control and will still provide the ability to save their creations to look back on in the future. 

PRESERVE THOSE MEMORIES IN A SCRAPBOOK - Take photographs of some of the larger pieces of artwork or the three-D pieces and keep them in a scrap book.  Even if the actual piece of artwork is disgarded, the memory remains intact.

CREATE A MEMORY BOX - I find that more often than not, it's the parents who want to hold onto those pieces of artwork, more so than the kids.  An easy way to keep them dust free and in good condition is to store them in a clear plastic container with a lid that is clearly labeled.  The container should not be too large but reasonably sized to hold the "collection".  By keeping them in a container, you are also providing boundaries for how much is kept.  It should not exceed the size of the box.  Remember, if you keep every piece of artwork that comes through the door for the next dozen or more years, your house will be overflowing with it.  So, keep a lid on it!

FRAME IT - For some of those very special pieces, why not create a small art gallery to display them in a frame on the wall.  This idea can provide some personality to a kid's bedroom, a playroom, a hallway or stairwell.  Once in a while, change them for variety. 

ALL THOSE SUPPLIES - If the kids love to create at school, chances are they like to create at home.  This involves have a supply of crayons, markers, glue, paper and other art supplies in the home.  Purchase a portable file box with a handle that they can easily transport from one room to the other or into the car which contains sandwich bags of the various supplies.  This will keep everything organized and easy for them to find what they want.

GIFTING -What proud grandmom, grandpop or favorite aunt would not treasure a personalized gift from your child! Encourage your little artist to give a "masterpiece" as a special gift to that special someone on their birthday or Grandparents Day or any other special occasion as opposed to buying something for your child to give to them.

With these easy suggestions, you will find that the flow of artwork coming through the door and created in your home will become much more manageable.  Remember, you can't keep it all, so be selective.

If you have any questions or comments about this topic or any other organizing issue you may have, feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help.

Have a great week! 

August is drawing to a close this coming weekend.  If your children haven't started school yet, they will soon. 

Why not start the school year off right with these Quick Tips for A Better Space!!!

Keep your family organized by placing a wall-mounted calendar in a common area, such as the kitchen or family room. Include every family member's schedule and chore list for the week or month. Use different colors to code each family member's entries. At a glance, each person will know everyone else's schedule, resulting in less confusion about whose soccer game is on Saturday and who won't be available to babysit on Friday.

Items like book bags, shoes, umbrellas, jackets – even sports equipment – inevitably pile up right next to the door that everyone in the family enters. Add a shelving solution to corral all of those items and keep the entryway clutter free. Add a hanging rod for coats and jackets and hooks for umbrellas and backpacks. Setting up a system like this near your main door will also help reduce clutter spreading to other areas of the home.

Finally, as more and more students are spending more and more time surfing the Web, doing research, downloading homework assignments, etc., it's helpful to create a computing station that all family members can easily access.   Shelving solutions are now available in all different styles and finishes to complement your home's décor and you can create a highly efficient, space-saving station which includes a desk surface and more.  Just look up!  Think vertically.   Don't forget to use some shelves above that desk space for storage of school supplies, books and can be kept in decorative boxes and magazine holders to provide an organized, functional and attractive space in which to get that homework done!

I hope these tips help you create A BETTER SPACE for your home. 

If you have any comments or questons about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to help.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Although I love Summer and hate to see it end, as a parent of a senior in high school, I have no choice but to start thinking about the upcoming school term. This year promises to be very exciting and it will be in full swing before we know it; September 3^rd to be exact.

So, once again, it’s time to start thinking about how to handle the deluge of school papers that will flow in and out of our homes. For students and parents alike, getting an ORGANIZED start to the new school year can make the difference between having a SUCCESSFUL school year or not. If you follow the eight recommendations below, I know that you and your child will have a much more successful school year!

GET YOUR CHILD RE-ACCLIMATED TO GOING TO BED EARLIER AND WAKING UP EARLIER

Start now to slowly move the bedtime back by a half hour or an hour a week so that when school begins, your child will be able to go to bed early enough to get the proper rest that they need in order to function best in school. This is especially true for older children (such as teenagers) who, like my son, started off the Summer going to bed at 1:00 a.m. and sleeping until 11:00 a.m. Teenagers need lots of sleep (usually about 10 hours per night). I am currently moving his bedtime back in one hour increments so that when Labor Day rolls around he will not have such a hard time going to bed at 9:00 p.m. This will enable him to get up for school on time at 5:45 a.m. As I move the bedtime back, I also make sure my son gets up earlier so he can get acclimated to doing that as well.

SET SOME RULES RIGHT FROM THE START.

Establish family ground RULES relating to the school year daily schedule, such as that ideal bedtime, homework completion, television watching, computer surfing, and socializing. Establishing these expectations at the beginning of the school year communicates the parent’s PRIORITIES and commitment from the start. Children need and want these boundaries to feel safe and secure, whether they know it or not, even teenagers.

SET UP A CENTRAL SYSTEM

Establish a "Command Center" for your children’s PAPER -- incoming and outgoing. Put an end to the school paper chase by establishing a zone for processing school paper – both incoming and outgoing. This area is where parents can review and PROCESS action papers (permission slips, lunch money, homework sign-offs, etc.) for quick turnaround. Adopt a simple two tiered "In/Out box" where you will process paper (the preferred location being in or near the kitchen) and instruct your children to place papers for mom’s or dad’s review in the In box. Completed paper is then given to children for return to school.

CREATE A LAUNCHING PAD

Establish a ZONE for the daily backpack pickup/drop close to the door where your child enters and exits each day. After Mom or Dad has processed the papers that need to go back to school, they can then return them to this zone for the kids to return to their backpack. Any other items needed for school should be placed in this area as well.  This simple strategy will greatly ease the morning rush.

CREATE A SPACE FOR HOMEWORK

Set up a desk or STUDY workspace that is conducive to concentration and focus. Considerations for setting up the child’s workspace should include good lighting, low noise levels, plenty of space to spread out, privacy, sufficient availability of supplies and anything else that adds to the structure.  Stock drawers with basic supplies your child needs in order to complete homework and projects.

THINK ABOUT CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION

Establish a system and tools to help your child be organized AT school as well as at home. It is critically important for children to develop organizational skills at an early age. Accordion folders or binders with pocket folders labeled for each class can be an easy organizer system for your child to keep papers corralled at school as well as home. Once your child is old enough to use a locker at school, equip him/her with locker accessories that allow subjects to be separated by, perhaps, morning and afternoon classes.

TAKE IT EASY

Don’t overload your children with too many extra-curricular ACTIVITIES. Today’s school children are over-scheduled and stressed out as a result. A balance of academics, activities and down time is necessary for academic success and good mental health. Make every effort to have dinner together as a family and avoid outside activities that distract from this important family ritual. Ask yourself what’s more important, your kid’s skills or their sanity? They will gain a lot more from the time they spend with the family around the dinner table.

GET EVERYONE TO HELP OUT

Establish an age appropriate CHORE routine to keep your children engaged and accountable to the family unit. With EVERY family member pitching in to help the household run smoothly, more time is freed up for fun family activities when the work is done. This includes the parents. Children need to see that their parents are active participants in household chores, not just dictators.

By establishing these simple yet powerful organizational routines, you and your children will be on the road to success this school year.

If you have any comments or questions about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to make your place A BETTER SPACE! 

Have a great week!