Last week I was in the carpool line picking up my oldest son. I realized once I got there that I hadn’t brought my bag. I just put the younger kids in the car and headed off to school. My kids are generally quiet while we are in line and if I am lucky they even fall asleep. I should revel in the quiet time right? Nope, not me. My mind started to run wild with the things I had to do and I had NOTHING to write them down on. Ideas popped up left and right and I knew I wouldn’t remember them when I got home. I think as mothers we are used to so much noise throughout the day that when things are finally quiet our brain tries to catch up on all of our thoughts for the day – all at once!

Anytime I know I will have a wait… carpool, doctor’s office, etc., I carry a couple of things with me. I always have my notebook and feel lost without it. It is good practice to get those thoughts out when you have them, otherwise you have all of this stuff bottled up that will come out sometime. For me it is when my head hits the pillow at night. Restless sleep for a mother of three is never a good thing. 

I also carry with me a magazine I want to read and any mail I need to catch up on. You might want to have a couple of note cards on hand as well so you can pen a letter to someone you are thinking about.

Taking these spurts of time to do something productive will help keep things in balance and free your mind of clutter.

How do you spend your waiting time?

As parents we get bombarded with papers on a daily basis. Permission slips, calendars, artwork, graded papers, not to mention the regular mail! By creating a simple “command center” to process the papers, you can stay pile free and know where everything is when you need it.

For our command center, I gathered up a file box, one hanging file folder for each family member, a pencil box and three clipboards. I usually suggest setting up a command center in the kitchen, which is typically the busiest spot in the home and where these papers tend to accumulate.

File Box and File Folders: Set up a file for each family member. This is where to put all incoming papers such as your child’s artwork and graded schoolwork (everything that gets dumped out of the backpack when your kids get home!). In your folder would go incoming mail and things that need action.

Pencil Box: I keep a pencil box in the file box with just enough supplies for homework. Scissors, pencil, a set of primary colored crayons, and glue. This keeps things easy at homework time since the kids know right where to find all their supplies.

Clipboards: Here is where the system can really be customized. I hang one clipboard for each child on the wall next to the file box. This is where I put their permission slips, weekly calendars and homework assignments – all of the papers that need immediate attention. You could put these papers in their folders as well but if you are like me, out of sight might mean out of mind. I need to keep this important information in my face so I don’t forget about it.

When setting up your command center, take time to sit down and plan what you need first. Decide if you require the visual reminders like myself or if you want everything tucked away. Whether you have a large wall or a small entryway, with a little creativity you can create a command center that will work for your family.

For a little creative inspiration, here is an example of a chalkboard used as a command center.

School has been back in session for some time now. Have you checked your child’s backpack lately? Are they growing little science experiments in there with left over crumbs and crumpled up paper?

A backpack is just one organizational tool your children will be carrying around with them during all of their schooling years. Teach them to organize it properly to prepare them for success. Here are a few tips to get you started…

1. First things first, Label It! If something happens to your child’s backpack make sure it is identifiable so it can be returned to the proper owner. DO NOT emblazon your son or daughter’s name on the backpack so that a stranger can see it and call them by name. DO, however add a discreet label like a bag tag or iron-on label for easy identification.
2. Most backpacks come with multiple sized pockets for storing supplies. Teach your children where to put everything and not just use the section for books as a large dumping ground. Use a pocket for pencils, and smaller objects and a section for notebooks and books.
3. Show your children how to properly keep their papers in a folder instead of just shoving them into the abyss of the backpack. Otherwise you might not see that paper in one piece again.
4. When your children get home from school have them empty their backpacks and show you what homework needs to be done and have a place to set aside graded papers.
5. Last but not least, have a designated place for your child’s backpack to hang until the next day. Make it routine that the backpack goes to that place every night so that there is no confusion where it is the next day.

Your organizational habits go with you into adulthood so we want to get our children off on the right start. We have all had our share of backpack days like them and some of you may still be using them. Many of you are using purses or briefcases now. What does your purse say about your organizational habits? Does your purse or briefcase look like your backpack did in high school?

Suddenly those long and lazy summer days are turning into the back-to-school rush. If you have yet to plan your fundraising initiatives for this school year, there is plenty of time to sign-up for a Mabel’s Labels fundraiser.

Over the years we’ve helped thousands of schools and organizations earn money toward their fundraising goals. We offer two types of label fundraisers: traditional brochure-based fundraisers and online paperless fundraisers. Contact us today to get the ball rolling. That is, before the back-to-school rush turns into the first day of school!

Go to www.fundraising.mabel.ca today.

1. Pack as a parent/kid team. Kids must know what they’re bringing so they can take a mental inventory.

2. Watch for stowaways. Kids bring items to camp that they’re not supposed to, such as MP3 players and digital cameras. If your child owns something irreplaceable, let them know not to pack it.

3. Label everything! Toothbrushes, cameras, flashlights, sandals, backpacks, socks…leave no item left unlabeled.

Here are some Mabel’s Labels’ resources to help you get ready for summer camp.

Read or download The Mabel’s Labels Guide to Packing for Camp

Is your child’s camp part of Camp Mabel’s Camp Labeling Program? Find out at camps.mabel.ca! Scroll the list to find your child’s camp and then place your order