Whether your kids have started back to school already or in September like mine do, now is a great opportunity to get your system ready and in place to help combat and maintain the never ending onslaught of “paper” that comes home with your children each day. First, let me start by saying that in this post or any of my posts, I am not trying to be preachy or imply that “my” system will work for you. However, I am sharing my “freakness” with you in hopes that you too will become a freak like me and also addicted to my habit….after all isn’t that what junkies do!
So back to the paper flow. Here is a list of some of the notices I get on a regular basis from my kids:
- field trip consent forms
- hot dog/pizza days – money required
- school day activities (pj day, sports day, wacky hair day, talent day, etc..)
- safety notices/surveys
- monthly newsletters
- PAC notices and planned fundraisers and instructions
- weekly teacher newsletters
- requests for supplies/snacks
- report cards
- reading logs
- homework notices
Rule #1 when my kids get home from school is they hang up their backpacks at the backpack station and then immediately hand over any notices that have come home that day. My best advice is to deal with the paper RIGHT AWAY. It only usually takes me about five minutes and I do this while my kids are eating their after school snacks. This way I have their attention if I need to question them about one of the notices and the day is still fresh in their minds. If something needs to be signed and returned to the school, I sign it. If money needs to go back to the school for something I count out the required amount or write a cheque and put it in an envelope. I read anything that needs to be read and as I go through the newsletter/notices I record any important dates/events onto my master calendar. This calendar is in a high traffic zone of my kitchen. In fact you can’t go into the kitchen without passing it and it is at eye level. So if one of the notices says that next Tuesday I need to bring 10 cupcakes to school, I not only write on Tuesday that I need to bring 10 cupcakes to school, on Monday I write make/buy 10 cupcakes for school. I’d be lost without my calendar and so would my husband.
I put all the paper into piles as I go…..KEEP/FILE/TOSS/BACKPACK.
KEEP = instructions or information that I will need to refer to later as the event draws near. I keep a magnetic clip on my fridge and this info goes there. I look through the pile on a daily basis and I don’t usually have more than eight pieces of paper there at one time.
FILE = sometimes paper comes home that I want to keep for the kids (ie: report cards)….once I’m done reading it I file it in my kids school books. You know the books that have a pocket inside for each grade. They don’t hold a lot so it is great incentive for keeping the papers down to a manageable level.
TOSS = this is definitely my favorite. The more I can throw away the better especially if it is something I’ve been able to record on my calendar which means there is no need to keep the paper anymore.
BACKPACK = anything that has to be returned to the school (money, signed notices, etc) goes right back into the backpack. Once the kids have finished their snacks they must go and get anything else required for the next day and put into their backpacks. These items include library books and show and tell.
I am NOT a morning person and mornings can get pretty chaotic so I like going to bed knowing that everything is ready to go and I don’t have to worry about it.
Now the other thing worth mentioning here is the art work and school papers that come home that the kids have completed. These get put up on a large magnetic board I have hung in the dining room. They stay there for about a week and then I help the kids decide what to keep and what to throw away. Often we will just take a picture of something they want to remember.
Okay there you have it. I tried to attach pictures of both my calendar and magnetic board but apparently Blogger has other ideas. Arrrrr… If I can get it to work later, I’ll update for you.
Honey says
Welcome back! 🙂 Hey I have a great idea (hint hint I NEED HELP!) for you to blog about. 🙂 For those of us who have too much children’s stuff, what do we do once we’ve purged and purged? Here’s my problem. I have been collecting books for my children ever since my oldest was born (now only 3 1/2). I’ve finally stopped, but these are wonderful books, and I don’t want to get rid of them. Some are several years advanced; so I’ve thought of storing them, but I don’t want to lose them in the closet. Then there are all the toys. I purged and am still purging all the toys that aren’t either educational or creative or that they absolutely enjoy. That still leaves me with too much clutter. I’ve started rotating toys out, but how many toys do we really need. So maybe I need to get rid of some of even the most educational toys? What’s your system for when you have too much of what you actually use or will use in the next year?
Mom2fur says
My problem with calendars is that I forget to look at them. Really–I have one of those HUGE dry-erase board calendars right in my kitchen, I pass it every day…and it’s like it’s not there. For me to remember something important, I have to write a gigantic note to myself and put it right next to the handle of the fridge. Then I can’t pretend it isn’t there, LOL!
Honey, may I make a suggestion? Books are meant to be read, not to collect dust on a shelf. Unless a book has real significance to you (I still have the ones my son insisted on hearing over and over–and he’s 23 now, LOL), or is signed by the author, you should donate them. It reminds me of something I once heard a priest say: “You know that coat hanging in your closet? The one you haven’t worn in three years? It isn’t yours now. It belongs to a poor man!” Well…maybe the same can be said for toys and books!
Carol says
What kind of calendar do you use? Where did you buy it?
Dee says
Thanks for the suggestions … we are currently painting my laundry room (where the backdoor is — the door we use) and I am deep in thought about how I want to set my “area” up. I will have a 5 year old off to school this year so I have to think in “height” terms and loved seeing the pic of yours. Love those shelves underneath… I have similar ones in my laundry room.
As for paper clutter, that is a huge battle area for me, so I am trying to conquer it as well as routinely using my calendar!!! I have only a few more weeks left to develop my routine… got work to do!!!!!
Sandra says
I’m with mom2fur, for some reason I always forget to look at my calendar, I honestly don’t know how I’ve survived all these years without one lol
I do the same thing you do with the paper they bring home, I’ve found that if I deal with it right away, then I don’t have to worry about it later, and hey….the more I can throw away teh better.
Julie Julie Bo Boolie says
Those are great ideas.. I also find that making the lunches the night before is an absolute MUST for me as is making a special calender for what Sarah needs during the week… Last year was Monday – Uniform + black shoes (before I made the calendar I almost always forgot the shoes in the winter), Tuesday – Library, Wednesday – Gym Day, Thursday – Return the Reader Day, Friday – Martial Arts Lesson. Now that I’m going to have both Sarah AND Chloe going it’s going to be even more important to stay organized so thanks for giving me some get ready tips!
Have a great w/end!
Cheers!
Julie
momrn2 says
GREAT ideas! I’m going to definately incorporate some of these!!
but Momma says
Very Timely! We start next week and I’m gearing up for the Battle of the Neverending Paper! I’m going to take your advice, because I often find myself procrastinating going through it all and it often spills over into morning chaos.
Keep up the tips!
zoe says
Backpack station has not worked for us in this house because there is just too little space in the hallway, well, too little space anywhere. THIS will be kept in mind if ever we go looking for a new house!
Jenny says
I make lunches the night before as well! I’m not a morning person! (my poor family!!)
sister sarah says
you’re a nut but nuts are very usefull and healthy!
Jen says
I loved your ideas. I already do the calender and magnetic clip…which are great ideas……Madison also has a chart on the fridge she has to go by…chores….we are going to update it today..since she has gotten older and can take on a little bit more resposibilty plus her rewards get better. Keep on showing us different organizing things…I love all of them.
Jen
Katrina says
Great ideas, Laura. The paper associated with school can be so overwhelming! I tend to have several piles laying around the kitchen area during the school year… I need to be more intentional and organized about it all. Thanks for your ideas! I do already have a backpack station and master calendar that I use diligently… I just need to master the habit of dealing with paper immediately and keeping the stuff I want to keep for later organized and accessible.
Katherine@Raising Five says
Hey – I put up a backpack station last week – I’ll have to send you a picture. But with my crew I have two sets of hooks – one up above and one down low for the little people. Aren’t you proud of me?
Glad to know you’re a lefty! Woo-hoo!