New year, new systems for keeping your family organized: borrow tried and true tips from teachers, whose job necessitates keeping their “family” of children in order.

{1} Use chalkboard paint or a dry erase board to write reminders and daily notes. Draw a monthly calendar using different colored chalk for each family member to see everyone’s daily routine.

{2} Write each of your children’s names on separate 8×11 mailing envelopes and hang somewhere accessible. Use the envelopes as a daily in-and-out system to keep notes from teachers, permission slips and other important papers organized.

{3} Labeling helps little ones with reading and organization, and helps bigger kids (including yourself!) to remember to put things in their proper place. Library book basket, board game shelf, charity giveaway box: label it all.

{4} Hang a contact-covered chore chart listing responsibilities (laundry, dishes, take out trash) and use clothespins with family members’ names written on them to move up and down the chart, rotating jobs every week.

{5} Younger children learn visually and work best with routines; make a picture chart that goes up in their room showing the order of morning and evening: put on pajamas, brush teeth, read story, sing song, lights out.

{6} Preschool teachers rotate toys to keep the kids from getting bored. Keep a separate box of toys and games hidden away to pull out as a special solution for a rainy day.

{7} Keep an on-the-go toy and necessities kit in the car so you don’t have to go through the “what I need to remember” routine every time you leave the house.

{8} Stock “sleepover” kits in the kids’ closet. A bag with pajamas, toiletries, sleeping bag and stuffed animal will be ready to go for any overnight stays.

{9} Plan an untouchable “organization hour” every week. The biggest timesaver is preparation.

Tags: Organization