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	Organizing For The School Year

	by Tiffany Engler

The start of the school is fast approaching. So how do you get your children organized for it? Below are some tips to help as you prepare to send your children off to any year of school.

Sending Your Children off to Elementary/Middle School/High School

Place a basket by the door and teach your children to use it to put the papers that need mom and dad’s attention. This will prevent papers from piling up on countertops.
Declutter your children’s closets. Make sure they have clothes and shoes that fit AND are school appropriate. If necessary, place school appropriate clothes in one section of the closet.
Set up a space in your home to accommodate backpacks, lunch bags, shoes, jackets, winter accessories, sports uniforms, etc. Cubbies and lockers are a great solution. Declutter those spaces every season.

Sending Your Children off to College

Space bags and collapsible containers are great space savers. They provide the storage when you need them and easy to hide when not in use.
Purchase your college student a planner they love. Electronic or paper, it doesn’t matter - as long as they use it.
Label makers aren’t just for Professional Organizers. Get your college student one ASAP. They are great for labeling containers, file folders, CD’s, reference books, etc. Everyone shares everything at college, labeling will help identify what belongs to whom.

Starting a New School

A new school means new contacts. Create a simple sheet that includes the new important numbers, addresses, codes, etc. Make it small enough so your student can tape it to their planner in case of an emergency.

Practice makes perfect. Before the first day of school, practice the routine. Practice going to bed and waking up at a certain time, walking to the bus stop, touring the school. Do everything you can to make the first day or week run smoothly.

Have a place in your home where you keep backup school supplies. You never know when you will run out and a big project is due the next day.

Tiffany Engler is owner of Your Life Organized, LLC - a Professional Organizing Company based in the greater St. Louis, Missouri area. Your Life Organized specializes in basements, garages, downsizing, entire home transformations, team organizing and yard sales. Tiffany is one of few organizers in Missouri Certified and President of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) - St. Louis Chapter. She is also a Certified FreedomFiler® Consultant, a member of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization and International Coach Federation. Tiffany is also a graduate of the Coach Approach for Organizers Foundation Courses and trained to coach her clients through organizing challenges. For more organizing tips be sure to visit her website at www.yourlifeorganizedstl.com.

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