How I do it: School Routine & Organization

Being that my motto I have instilled into my children is that everything should have a place and if not it needs to go into the trash can or give away bin. My kids grew up with stations or bins. Everything has a station or bin and that's where it goes as to that's where you can find it every single time. When Maci was the only one in school it wasn't so bad with her school stuff but when all three were in school that means 3 of each backpacks, 3 lunch boxes, 3 folders, 3 uniform bins, 3 school shoes, and 3 homework and papers to check. It was like a train wreck everyday when the kids would come in so I knew I had to create a school station. I took a section in our home office and created a functional area that worked for us.
The kids are so proud of their work and art stuff that it was all over the fridge and every where and I cant stand a clutter fridge it makes me freak out and I get moody when I see clutter. I would always look at their stuff compliment them and into the trash they went because it didn't have a place and you know my rule. Plus if I saved them do you really think they are going to want them one day...No. Or at least I don't want my old stuff so I'm guessing my kids don't either. I will have to say I do have a keep sake bin in the storage building and I will pick out a few things and throw in there. I knew I had to make a place or bin for their stuff so I went to Pinterest and this is what I came up with. I also hung a wrack they could hang their backpacks on with a rug underneath for their shoes. Because in the morning the last thing I want to deal with is finding shoes or backpacks.

 



I tried to hang their lunch boxes on the hooks also but it looked to cluttered and yal know I cant do clutter. Hmmm what can I do with their lunch boxes. I haven't really found anything yet so this is where they go for right now or until I find something that I like.
I also created a place where they could put reminders, lunch menus, or anything they needed for school. I don't have time to deal with seeing who is bringing lunch and who isn't so I created a system for this. I  ordered the Erin Condren monthly calendar and Erin Condren personalized stickers that I color coded and labeled each child with Maci Lunch in purple, Mauri Lunch in pink, and Rhett Lunch in blue. I let the kids pick their color so they would be happy. We get a monthly lunch calendar and on the days they plan on bringing their lunch they can place their sticker on that day. So in the mornings or night before they can look at the calendar and see if they need a lunch or not.



The kids have to wear uniforms which I love and makes getting dressed so easy. Each child has a dresser drawer or bin in their closet that they put their uniforms in. By doing this I never have to hear where are my uniform clothes because they are exactly where they always are. Although I do hear a few times out of the year I don't have any uniform shorts or uniform shirts. Then the arguments go to "if you put your dirty clothes into the laundry room then you would have clean clothes but since you didn't bother to bring your dirty clothes basket into the laundry room then I'm sorry but it looks like you are going to have to wear dirty clothes today." After a few times of doing this they learned real quick that Momma don't play. I don't empty their dirty clothes bin for them that is on their chore chart and even though it discuss and kills me to make them wear a dirty shirt or pants to school and wondered that their teacher is going to think I'm so nasty I've  got to prove my point or my system will not work.

 

 I broke Mauri's glass so Ill have to replace it.