A Professional Organzier's Guide to Back To School

It’s that time again. Are you celebrating or crying? Either way, we don’t judge.

Whether you’re buying tissues or wine, or both, we know this time of year can be stressful and we’re here to give you a roadmap! I have had kids in school for the last 13 years and this is what I do, every year, to keep it all together.

1. Calendars and Schedules

When I feel overwhelmed, I need to organize my brain first. That’s why calendars are number one on this list.

• Print the calendars for each of your kids’ schools and put them somewhere visible (for me, its the fridge).

• Screenshot them on your phone and save them to an album titled “Reference”. This is also a great place to store insurance cards.

• Send the calendar to your husband and any other family members, nanny, etc who may need them.

• Add all school holidays and first and last day of school to your personal calendar.

• Figure out when the back to school events are and add those to your calendar.

• Get the sports, practice, and performance schedules. Follow all the steps above for those schedules.

• Make sure the rest of the family is filled in.

2. Transportation + Childcare

How is your child getting to school? If it’s the bus, check the bus routes, get the bus number, confirm the times and bus stops. Download the transportation app if there is one. If your child is a car rider, make sure you know when car rider lines begin and end, and start discussing car pool. If your child needs before or after school care, get that lined up now. Make sure the rest of the family is filled in.

3. School Supplies

I am so thankful that my school offers pre-packaged supplies. Everything you need for the school year in one bundle, delivered their classroom. Amazing. Please remember that these school supplies are typically used by the whole class, not just your child. If you want your child to have cute personal supplies, purchase those seperately. Don’t forget backpacks, lunch boxes, and personal hygiene items.

4. Breakfast + Lunch

I do not have the mental capacity to decide every meal for every person in my house every single day. Just typing that was exhausting. So, every year I sit down with my kids and we brainstorm. 10 ideas for breakfast. 10 ideas for lunches. Then each week I ask them to pick a couple from the list for me to purchase with groceries. For the most part, they are responsible for making their own lunches, and we make them breakfast each morning. Don’t forget to add cash to the lunch account!

5. Clothing + Personal Items

School shopping is an annual tradition for us and we look forward to it every year! This is when we get all the fun new outfits and shoes, but we’re also replacing bras, undies, socks, bathroom products, and anything else they need.

Before you shop, and I cannot stress this enough, declutter and take inventory. Before you shop. Are you hearing me? Before.

Clear out the closet of the old clothes that don’t fit them, are no longer “cool”, have stains, etc.
Clear out the old shoes, socks, undies, everything that is no longer usable.
Clear out the bathroom of all the old products or products that are no longer serving their purpose.

Then take inventory.
How many jeans do they have? How many do they actually need? Socks? Shoes? Shirts? Hoodies?

Use this inventory to make your shopping list.

DO NOT SHOP before you do this. That is how you end up with FAR more clutter than you bargained for. Trust me. Follow the plan.

I like to take the kids shopping individually. Its special mom and me time and we have so much fun! We always grab lunch and maybe a boba or starbucks. Once we return home we do a fashion show for the rest of the family and then clothes are washed and put away, immediately.

6. Get Ready

In the week leading up to school starting, do the following:

• Laundry (wash, dry, and put away)

• Prep backpacks

• Check calendars and schedules again

• Discuss the morning routine with the kids

• Plan breakfast and lunches (and shop for the ingredients)

You are ready! Have an amazing school year!

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!

How to Get Organized For Summer: 8 Easy Tips

Summer has once again arrived and it can be tough to stay organized when the temperatures climb and the kids are home! If you're here in Houston, you know the extra struggle of dealing with the intense summer weather. You also know our heat means the age-old solution of “Go Play Outside” may not always be an option, adding extra stress to the summer months. How do you keep on top of it all? We can help with 8 tips to set you up for an amazing, organized summer!

1. Check Your Seasonal supplies: 

Now’s the time to check your stash of summer essentials like bug-spray and sunblock. Look over what’s left from last year before you shop– and remember to check expirations dates! Then make a list so you only buy what you need. This will save space in your home and save you money in the future because less will go to waste.

2. Check swimwear sizes

Sort through your child’s swimwear and other summer specific clothing like camp Ts.  Move any items that are too small to siblings, friends, or your donation pile. Create a system for anything you may come across that you’re still waiting for them to grow into. While you're at it, check your beach towels. Toss what’s worn, torn, or faded and assess if you actually need any new ones this year. Knowing what you already have will help you avoid that impulse buy when Target has one featuring your kid’s current obsession!

3. Prioritize your activities

Figure out what are the most important outings and adventures for your family. Then, make them a priority! Is there a specific camp your kid is begging to do? Look up  the dates and register early. A weekend trip away you’ve been dreaming about? Pick a date and book it now. What about a special exhibit at a museum? Check the hours and make a plan. Get out your calendar and block time off for these special activities first, especially if they are date specific. Then fill in the rest with more flexible fun like pool days and family game nights!

4. Rainy Day Activity Box

I still think of this as a “rainy day plan”, but after 20 years in Houston you would think I’d know I’m just as likely to need it when it’s 101 and sunny! This is what you can easily pull out to entertain your kids on THOSE DAYS. You know the ones I mean: All their friends are out of town, there’s no camp that week, and you can’t handle another round of Chutes and Ladders. Set aside a few craft kits or LEGO sets ahead of time so you can reach for them when you need them.

5. Brainstorm summer snack & lunch ideas

I have to feed this kid all day now?! There’s nothing wrong with the occasional old-school summer day full of hot dogs and popsicles. But if you don’t want that to become your kids' entire summer diet, you need to make sure alternatives are available and easily accessible. Prep some cut-up fruits and veggies each week for quick and easy snacks. Make a list of 5 healthy lunch options your kids will actually eat to help break up the Lunchables and PBJs. And go ahead and keep those popsicles around for when the entire neighborhood is suddenly in your kitchen at 3:00pm saying “I’m hungry!”

6. Set your rules and schedule now

Come up with your screen time limits, chores, and other summer rules ahead of time. Life with kids runs more smoothly with clear expectations. It's much easier to relax rules once the summer has begun than it is to implement new habits halfway through July!

7. Summer is Hurricane Season, make sure you’re ready!

Summer hadn’t even arrive last year and we were dealing with extreme storms and power outages. Here are some essentials to get your storm prep ready so you’re not caught unprepared this year. Have a plan for drinking water. Make sure flashlights and batteries are accessible. Have a first aid kit and non-perishable food ready. For more information check out Ready.Gov

8. Create a system for wets

How many times a week can my kid come home wet?? Between swim lessons, sprinklers, and impromptu water gun fights, wet swimsuits, towels, and clothes can be a constant summer struggle! Create a system for all the wet stuff. Some great suggestions include a clothes line, designated hooks in the mudroom, or simply having your kids throw wet items directly into the washer. Creating a system now will save you before you find a musty bathing suit in a backpack two weeks too late! 

The key to staying organized over the summer is to have a plan! Whether it’s wet clothes, rules and schedules, or disaster prepping, taking time at the start of the summer to create your system will set you up for success later. What are your favorite ways to stay on top of things over the summer?

Hi, I’m Meghan,

Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.

I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!

Tips For Decluttering With Kids

Here are some great rules from Good Housekeeping for decluttering with kids. Plus we’ve included some experts tips of our own!

Good Housekeeping: 9 New Rules For Decluttering A Kid's Room

This is a great article!! I will add the following:

As obvious as it seems, we need to tell our kids that they don't have to keep anything they don't want or like. Oftentimes, it never occurs to them that they can get rid of things. We have to give them explicit permission. 

"You don't have to keep anything in here you don't want. Isn't that great! Let's make your room exactly the way YOU want it with only the toys and clothes and books that you LOVE! Then when you come in your room, it will feel like your own little heaven. How does that sound?".

Then we MUST follow through. This scenario happens a lot. Child says "I don't like this toy anymore". Parent says "Oh, but grandma bought you that for your birthday when you were 5. Remember how much fun we had with this? You can't get rid of it". Parent then throws things away when the child isn't home, things that the parent deems unimportant. This is not helping the child. By letting them make the decisions about their room and their belongings, you are building their confidence and sense of independence. You can always veto, and you should always guide them, but let them lead when it comes to their room. You may be surprised at how much they will get rid of when you tell them to only keep the things they LOVE.

I know as a parent, we get attached to their things too. It's hard for US to let go. If you want to keep a toy or book or any item as a keepsake, that's okay! But let's get it out of their room and into a keepsake area in your home. Because ultimately, you're holding onto it for you, not for them.

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Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!

How To Save Your Kids’ Artwork, While Also Saving Your Sanity!

Do your kids bring home entire backpacks full of art projects and worksheets? Don’t let this pile overwhelm you! Let’s look at some easy ways to cherish some incredible art and then introduce the lesser pieces to the recycling bin!

Before we try to create memories from the masterpieces, let’s pull out what doesn’t need to be saved. I know we all love our kids and want to treat everything they do as special, but for the sake of your home and mental well-being, you do not need to keep every worksheet and coloring-book page they’ve ever scribbled on. Only keep and organize the art you want to look at again. Do you only want to keep the Mother’s/Father’s Day cards they’ve made?-- That’s ok. Do you only feel sentimental towards the crafts with handprints?—No problem. You get to decide how much or how little stays! 

Now that you’ve filtered out the crumpled worksheets and crayon doodles, it’s time to organize and preserve the treasurers that remain. There’s no point to saving something if it is not being stored in a manner that will prevent damage. Additionally, your storage method should reduce the clutter around your house, not add to it. Let’s look at some of our favorites!

• File Box

As Houston-area professional organizers, this has become our go-to method for organizing artwork. It consolidates all of the art into one simple filebox and neatly organizes it by school year! Perfect!

• Create A Book

Ready to go paperless? There are many great services that can create beautiful books of your child’s art. Several of our clients have had success organizing art with ArtKive. Alternatives like Scribble and Shutterfly offer a more DIY approach and they include the ability to include photos of your kids. You’ve just replaced messes of paper with a beautiful coffee table piece! Magic!

• Google Drive

For a completely digital option, you can create a folder in your Google Drive. Just like a file box, this gives you the option to organize by school year. And you can do it all from your phone as soon as the art comes into your house. This completely avoids clutter on your counters! Easy!

• Document Box

What if you can’t bear to part with the originals and some of the art is too big for a file? Create a box specifically for art. Underbed storage boxes are the perfect size for larger art projects. Or, elevate the look with a document box from The Container Store. Everything just goes right in the box! Simple!

Document Box from The  Container Store

• Display Wall

Want to enjoy your child’s art without cluttering up every surface with paper stacks? Turn it into whimsical decor with frames. A display wall is the perfect way to encourage your little Picasso! Fun!

Organizing your kids’ art will solve two problems at once. It will remove clutter from your home and allow you to properly store these precious childhood memories. So go ahead and tackle this before all those beautiful creations turn into a crumpled mess at the bottom of a backpack!

Hi, I’m Meghan

Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.

I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!