That's Neat! Blog

Four…three…two…one! Has school already begun?

The countdown is on for back-to-school, and now is the time to set up (or create!) your systems to stay organized. In my home, during the summer we have different routines and have been on vacation…so we don’t always follow our typical ways of doing things. This is part of summer and the change is good!

Just don’t forget to get ready and set for school.

Be sure that you have a way to deal with:

• the coming deluge of school papers, including homework, permissions slips and artwork you want to keep
• packing bags and backpacks
• making lunches
• scheduling activities
• finding the right equipment for those activities (soccer ball, ice skates, tap shoes)
• finding what you need to get out the door!

A “system” doesn’t have to be complex – it is just a process or routine for regular activities to help us stay organized. And simple is often better.

For example, use a basket on the kitchen counter to catch incoming school papers that need your attention. Update your family resource binder with the new class information. Make lunches and have kids pick out clothes the night before. Use a family calendar – paper or electronic – to schedule activities and school days off.

These are just a few ideas. For more, search our blog under the categories “kids” or “school” or contact That’s Neat! Organizing and we’ll set up a customized system just for you.

It’s August, and in New England that means it’s time again to shop for school supplies, new clothes, a lunchbox, or dorm room gear. In other parts of the country classes may have already started.

In honor of back-to-school month we are highlighting our favorite posts from the past year about getting organized for school. Enjoy!

Off to College

Organizing for the College Years

Elementary, My Dear Organizer

School's Out Organizing Part I: Paper Purge

School's Out Organizing Part II: Backpack Black Hole

Have you seen Toy Story 3 yet? Our family saw it last month and really enjoyed the movie. It’s a fun coming of age story for Andy and his toys. (And anyone who grew up with Mr. Potato Head, a slinky dog, green army men, or Barbie and Ken will love those scenes.)

While watching Toy Story 3 I couldn’t help but see (behind my 3D glasses) that the movie also shares a powerful message about what to do with things when you outgrow them. I won’t give all the plot away but an important scene involves Andy and his mom “sorting” his toys into “keep” and “donate” piles.

Andy struggles while making the decisions, which is very true to life. It’s not easy to decide to part with something that was once a treasured possession. But Andy’s plan for his most-loved toys at the end was touching.

Enjoy the show!

To help young kids learn how to put their clothes away, I tell my clients to label the dresser drawers with a word and picture.

Now the work is done for you! I just read about these great dresser knobs in the August edition of Parenting: School Years magazine. I love the idea that the picture is right on the knob – it’s cute and a helpful label all in one, and there are versions for boys and for girls. Check them out from Olive Kids.

I’ve been trying to remember to put sunscreen on my daughter before she heads out each day. We’ve left the sunscreen on a shelf by the front door, and we often remember…but there are many hectic mornings when we forget.  With the weather getting hotter I wanted to have a reminder for myself.

So I did what I would tell my clients to do: label it! I made a reminder that hangs on a door knob in a fun sun shape. (A post-it note would work just as well.)  I made one for the front door and the back door, and now we never forget!