Simplified School Year

After spending a summer reconnecting with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors and making time for vacation, it's time for the kiddos to head back to school. Yes, is getting darker sooner, school supplies have taken over the stores, and parents everywhere are trying to keep it all organized!

While this time can be stressful, there are some ways we can embrace the transition and look at it as a new start and a time for growth for ourselves as parents, as well as our children.

Here are Mindfully Minimized top tips to help you and your family start this school year off smooth.

ESTABLISH ROUTINES

Before and after school are typically the most stressful times for parents, and you can get some help from your kids by giving them more responsibility in the mornings and evenings. No matter how young your children, they can help to create a morning checklist with tasks your child checks off.

PLAN YOUR MEALS

By simply making a list with weekly meals in mind, you can save money and time and eat healthier food. If you buy no more than what you expect to use, you will be more likely to keep it fresh and use it all. I personally find meal planning super helpful for 3 key reasons.

First, it helps make my week run smoother. We all have a million different things we are thinking about all week. If you spend some time planning ahead of time, the thought process is much easier.

Second it helps me when I grocery shop. I know exactly what I need and I have a plan to buy the things I need (aka no random things sneaking into my cart. Okay sometimes these still do but you get what I am saying.

Lastly, less food waste. When I plan what to eat and what to buy, I have a specific plan for all of the food in our fridge. And, at the end of the day, less food waste means more money in your pocket and less stuff in landfills or combustion facilities.

ASSIGN HOMES FOR ITEMS

Where do backpacks land when your children come home? Defining a place for backpacks, iPads, lunch boxes, coats, gloves, and shoes helps to keep your space clean and also helps your child develop good habits. Besides it may even help reduce the “MOM where did I put that” question.

HAVE FAMILY MEETINGS

Children are brilliant. Let them share with you what is working well and where they are frustrated. Let them help develop solutions for systems that are not working smoothly.

Pick a date/time for your reoccurring meetings that would allow all members to be present. Go through the weeks schedule together and talk through our successes, struggles, and solutions. You don't need tons of time (30 minutes can do) make them short and fun. This way people look forward to them rather than dread them. Yes, everyone's family meetings will look a bit different and that is great. Just remember the purpose of a family meeting is to foster open communication among family members. It is a safe place where everyone is free to say what they think and feel as they cooperate to make decisions and solve problems.

Remember, you are your child’s first teacher! Modeling the skills of organizing and simplification are gifts that will last a lifetime. It is a process like anything all problems will not be cured overnight. However, baby steps in the right direct are key. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Mindfully Minimized is here to help. Whether through our blog, or our personal services our holistic organizational solution company committed to helping you clear the clutter in your life so you can focus on what you love.

If you need personalized organizing support let's connect today - Link Here

www.mindfullyminimized.com