Every home needs a central location for dealing with the influx of paper and junk that we accumulate throughout the day. The mail comes in, the kids come in with papers to be signed from school, you get the card from the doctor with the next appointment, etc. What can you do to keep track of all this stuff? Create a family command post.
This can be a basket on the kitchen counter, a bulletin board in the entryway, a built-in in the mudroom. Whatever you decide to use as your command post, the important thing is that you have a plan and are consistent with using the space.
For example, when you come in our main entrance I have a bench (that opens for storage). The kids can sit down, take off their shoes and put their bookbags inside. Then there is a basket for my purse and keys- this is where the boys know to put papers that are important for me to see. We also have an outgoing basket- for library books, DVD's that need returned, etc. That way when you are heading out the door you can grab the things that have a home outside yours.
Keep a folder for each child's current school year information. If a paper comes in that you will need for future reference stick it in this folder so you know where it is. Encourage your child to clean out their bookbag frequently (especially if they tend to be disorganized) so that you can make sure you haven't missed any important papers.
Do you have a command post in your house? Do you think you would benefit from one (you would :-)?
Happy Organizing!
Melissa Posted by Melissa of
Multitasking MamaFeatured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine
This can be a basket on the kitchen counter, a bulletin board in the entryway, a built-in in the mudroom. Whatever you decide to use as your command post, the important thing is that you have a plan and are consistent with using the space.
For example, when you come in our main entrance I have a bench (that opens for storage). The kids can sit down, take off their shoes and put their bookbags inside. Then there is a basket for my purse and keys- this is where the boys know to put papers that are important for me to see. We also have an outgoing basket- for library books, DVD's that need returned, etc. That way when you are heading out the door you can grab the things that have a home outside yours.
Keep a folder for each child's current school year information. If a paper comes in that you will need for future reference stick it in this folder so you know where it is. Encourage your child to clean out their bookbag frequently (especially if they tend to be disorganized) so that you can make sure you haven't missed any important papers.
Do you have a command post in your house? Do you think you would benefit from one (you would :-)?
Happy Organizing!
Melissa
Posted by Melissa of Multitasking Mama
Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine