Organizing Your Family’s Life

As school quickly approaches, I am inundated with back-to-school forms, extracurricular activities schedules, business trips and more. Organization is the most important way to make the most of each day. Here are some of tips for keeping busy families like myself more organized and less stressed.

Display a schedule
Place a wall-mounted calendar in a common area, such as the kitchen, and include every family member’s schedule for the month. Use different colors to code each family member. I love The Container Store’s Magnetic Calendar.

Make lunch plans early
Involve the children and plan lunch menus a week in advance. Pack lunch boxes the night before a school day to save valuable morning time.

Master the mail
Don’t get caught in an avalanche of paper. Catch paperwork as it comes into the house by setting up a system near the main entrance of your home. We use The Container’s Store 6 Compartment Canvas Hanging Sweater Bag in the hall closet and organize by family member to collect mail, notes and reminders or school forms that need parent’s signature. Each family member should check their “in box” each afternoon and every morning.

Organize the kids’ closet
Like adults, if kids’ closets are organized, they will have an easier time getting ready in the morning. Encourage kids to keep shoes off the floor by utilizing small-pocket hanging shoe bags; lower closet rods so kids can easily access hanging clothes;  and provide plenty of drawer space for folded clothes.