(ARA) – The start of fall means lots of things: changing colors, football season and, for families across the country, back-to-school time. After a summer of carefree living, long days and relaxation, changing gears from fun and sun to homework and sports can be a challenge for even the most organized family. It doesn’t have to be, with these simple tips, getting back into the swing of things can be as refreshing as the crisp fall air.
Make a plan and stick to it
As the school year gets into full swing, take time to sit down and look at your schedule. Make a master calendar of all your family’s activities, and plot out who needs to be where and when. Then create a weekly or daily schedule for your family and stick to it as best you can. This might include chores, sporting events, upcoming school projects and what’s for dinner each night. For the tech-savvy family, creating a shared Google calendar that lives online and can be accessed and updated by each member of the family is a great way to keep everyone in the loop, even as schedules and responsibilities change.
No more lost and found
With fall weather comes backpacks, sports equipment, coats and more – and keeping everything organized and easy to find is a challenge all in its own. Installing closet organizers with spaces designated for each member of the family can help avoid last-minute rushes to find tennis shoes or books. If you’re short on closet space, consider adding a built-in with cabinetry like Merillat’s Drop Zone to designate a place for all the items that can get scattered around the house. The Drop Zone can serve many functions with spots for charging phones and places to drop book bags and coats. Implementing a logical, easy-to-access space for your family’s storage needs is a great first step in getting organized.
Take the work out of homework
One of the best ways to keep your family organized is to prepare your house for all the hustle and bustle. This can be as simple as cleaning and reorganizing your space or doing some minor remodeling to make your home work for your needs. For example, update a home office or create a dedicated workspace in the kitchen to make tackling homework less of a hassle. Just make sure the space is comfortable, but not too casual that it lacks structure and function or is surrounded by too many distractions.
Take 10
Build 10 minutes into your family’s routine each evening to prepare for the next day. This can include tidying up around the house, packing school bags, laying out clothes for the next day, or any other activity that you won’t have time for in the morning. By taking a few minutes each night to accomplish a few of the daily tasks, you’ll streamline your mornings and send everyone off more relaxed and ready for the day.
Fall is a busy and exciting season and by taking time to organize your family and home for the fun, you’ll be able to enjoy it even more.
