Now that the sleepy summer days are coming to an end and that your kids are gearing up for the beginning of another school year, you’re probably feeling some stress at the prospects of a busy few months ahead. But with the right organizational system, you can make this transitory period a breeze. Check out our tips below:
Invest in a Planner
Between parent-teacher conferences, playdates, soccer games and adult game nights, it’s going to be nearly impossible to keep track of your schedule without a planner. If you want a smaller planner you can carry around with you at all times, check out the Panda Planner, which comes with a digital version, or the economical Blue Sky Planner. If you’re a more visual person, try a giant wall calendar that your whole family can update as needed.
There’s an App For That
There’s no shame in admitting that you need a little bit of help when it comes to organizing your life. Wunderlist can help you knock out multiple to-do lists at a time as well as set reminders and store notes and even voice memos. Time Timer offers a productivity boost by tracking and managing your daily routines (such as meals, naptime and hometown time), letting you know when an important event is coming up, monitoring “turns” for playtime and computer use, and even helping to manage time-outs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of sticky notes on your fridge, business cards in your desk drawers or other random notes and reminders, Evernote provides a central place for your notes, tasks and deadlines.
Make the Time
From now on, every first Sunday of the month is for cleaning and organizing. Take the time to organize and clear out all of the clutter from the house’s hallway closets, your kids’ playroom, and even your dresser drawers—you might think once a month is too frequent, but you’d be surprised at how much stuff piles up if you’re not careful. Be sure to rope your whole family in on this, especially your kids. Make sure they know what true organization is; it’s not just tossing their stuff under the bed!