| As a mother of five grown children (and soon to be | | | | remember. No child ever suffered seriously from |
| grandmother!), I can attest to the fact that | | | | missing lunch for one day! Send positive messages |
| organizing skills are a major factor in the success of | | | | that encourage them to remember by including a |
| our children in school and the quality of our life at | | | | love note in a lunch box with messages - "Good luck |
| home. The ease with which we manage every area | | | | on your math test!" |
| of our lives - from getting ready to go to school in | | | | One of the ongoing hassles of school days - |
| the morning to going to bed at night - can be | | | | regardless of the children's age - are those papers |
| significantly improved if we approach the tasks to be | | | | that need signing by Mom or Dad (and frequently |
| done in an organized manner. Unfortunately, we were | | | | require checks!). Identify a specific place for only |
| not all born with an innate organizing ability, and more | | | | those items. A clearly labeled magnetic pocket on the |
| unfortunately, there are few opportunities to learn | | | | refrigerator door is a great option. Keep some "Sign |
| the skill. But it's never too late - or too early - to | | | | Here" Post- it? Flags nearby to help spark your |
| begin learning! | | | | memory or encourage your children to flag the |
| Begin by having each child in your family choose "their | | | | documents to show you where to sign. |
| color," and use it consistently. It will save lots of | | | | Completing homework is every parent's primary |
| squabbles over whose notebook or umbrella is | | | | concern. The first challenge is helping them to get |
| whose. Attach a pen with the ink color of each child | | | | their assignments home. Help them find an |
| nearby the family calendar (which should have lots of | | | | assignment book that is easy to use. Each evening |
| writing space!) We had four children playing soccer at | | | | go over assignments with your child to see that |
| the same time, but "soccer" written in red ink told | | | | homework is complete! Creating a productive study |
| me it was Jenny who needed a ride. Encourage your | | | | environment is crucial, keeping in mind that everyone |
| children to be responsible for their own schedules and | | | | does not need the same environment to be |
| commitments. Start by teaching your child to use an | | | | successful. Some children work best alone in a quiet |
| alarm clock and expecting them to use it. | | | | room, while others do better sitting at the kitchen |
| Does your child have trouble deciding what to wear | | | | table while Mom or Dad fixes dinner. Since computers |
| in the morning? Part of the problem may be too | | | | have become a major factor in homework, develop |
| many choices. Eliminate anything from the closet that | | | | family policies about who can use the computer |
| doesn't currently fit, is not in season or in style. Then, | | | | when. Keep supplies and resources on hand to |
| spend some time with your child planning wardrobe | | | | eliminate unnecessary last minute shopping trips. |
| combinations and list them on a sign on the closet | | | | Of course you couldn't expect me to write an article |
| door for a quick morning reminder. Last minute | | | | on "back to school" without mentioning a filing |
| hassles over lost shoes? Identify a specific place for | | | | system. Since research shows that the average |
| shoes - preferably near the front door! Children learn | | | | person spends over one month each year looking for |
| by example - how are you doing in that department? | | | | lost information, it's never to early to start teaching |
| If your children pack their own lunches for school, | | | | kids how to file! (Bonus: If you use Taming the Paper |
| work out a system that suits each child. My daughter | | | | Tiger software, you can "hire" your child to help you |
| preferred to pack hers the night before, but my son | | | | with your filing!) |
| - never more than ten minutes before the bus | | | | Finally, notes of all varieties can be a wonderful way |
| arrived! To eliminate Johnny taking Mary's lunch, use | | | | to communicate to your children - with one caveat. |
| different colored containers or labels for each child. | | | | Years ago, I overheard my son say to my daughter |
| Create a standard shopping list of lunchbox items | | | | one morning, "I wonder what I have to do today, |
| each child likes and make sure to keep those items | | | | there's one of those yellow things on the mirror." I |
| on hand. Put a list on the refrigerator with any special | | | | suddenly realized that it was important to give |
| items that are available (e.g., leftover steak from | | | | positive messages as well as parental reminders. |
| dinner last night). By the way, if Sara forgets her | | | | Waking up to, "You did a great job cleaning up the |
| lunch and you drop what you're doing to deliver it, | | | | kitchen last night," is a great start to good day at |
| you're giving a message that she doesn't have to | | | | school! |