Getting the kids back into a routine of homework and studying can often be a challenge, so having a dedicated place in your home for this purpose can make all the difference. Studies show that children develop good study and work habits and will stay more focused if they have a specific area to study and do their homework.

If you live in a small space and cannot sacrifice one specific area, try to determine an area where you can set up a temporary homework station or mini office. Add more lighting, if necessary and a comfortable chair are essential. It’s also important to try to keep distractions to a minimum, like TV and siblings.
Use organizing products and accessories to hold the supplies needed for homework, e.g. reference books, pencils, paper, etc. Here are some desk organizing product ideas that will help to keep the school supplies at bay:

Magazine Holders: Magazine holders can be used, not only for magazines, but also for books. Be sure to purchase a magazine holder sturdy enough for the books you will be storing.

Storage cubes: Storage cubes can also be used to hold books. If they are turned sideways, they can be used as cubbies. Or you can simply place the books inside with the spine facing outwards. Or use for any school supplies.

Bookcases: You may want to even consider adding a bookcase to the homework or study area.
Try a tall narrow bookcase, like the one pictured on the right, which is less than 17” wide. This bookcase storage shelf takes up a very little wall space, but adds height and elegance to any room.

Folding shelves are a perfect temporary option, because you can simply fold them up and store flat whenever you need to!

Document trays: Document or paper trays can be used to organize school papers coming home. Teach your child to place incoming papers in the appropriate tray for you to review.

See the Modular Office System for some storage and organization ideas.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com

We have observed that being organized comes more naturally to some, than to others. For some, it makes perfect sense that there should be a place for everything and everything in its place.  Yet to others, this idea would never even cross their minds. That’s why it important that children be taught organization skills from an early age.  If you are the parent, and also disorganized, then use this as an opportunity to learn together!  Plus, showing your children how to take care of their room from an early age teaches them responsibility. 

If your child has space issues in their bedroom and you find that clothes aren’t being put away and clutter is accumulating, most often than not, the child doesn’t know where things go. 

So what can you do to help?  You may begin with a task as simple as showing them how to put their laundered clothes away.  Begin by sharing with them how it makes sense to store tops with tops and bottoms with bottoms.  If they are early elementary school age, you could show them an example of how mixing tops with bottoms, socks and undies would result in confusion and disorder.  They will probably be amused by the mess and be happy to help you fix it!  

There are many inexpensive organizing products available for kids’ rooms that will help them to keep the clutter at bay. Here are a few useful products, including ideas on how to use them:

Hanging Accessory Shelves:  Hanging shelves have cubbies or pockets and attaches to a closet rod to store tops, sweaters, shoes or smaller items stored in baskets.  Some shelves come with drawers.

Storage Cubes: Very versatile storage that can help to organize clothes, toys, books, CDs, accessories and magazines.

Pop-up Hamper: Teach your kids to put away their dirty laundry in their own hamper or use for lightweight toys and stuffed animals

Under the Bed Storage Bag:

Take advantage of the space underneath the bed to store off season clothing or bed linens.  Bags zipper shut to keep out the dust.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com

It will soon be time for the kids to head back to school and schedules to change.  Being prepared and organized will surely help you to handle the new schedule, but your child may have a harder time adjusting to this change.

The first week of school can be quite a shock for school-aged children and can sometimes bring on mini-tantrums and constant whining during the first few weeks of school.  With this in mind, I would like to offer some tips and suggestions to help with a smoother transition for your child:

• Begin talking to your child now about the things they like most about school, e.g. seeing friends, favorite classes, going on field trips, etc.
• If your child’s bedtime schedule is more flexible over the summer, it’s a good idea to gradually begin a new bedtime routine a week or so before they are due to go back to school. For example, if they have been going to bed at 9:00PM, but usually have to be in bed by 8:00PM, you could initially change it to 8:45PM, then 8:30PM, etc.
• Plan the new morning schedule, create a back to school checklist if necessary, and then talk to your child about your expectations. If your child usually has trouble getting out of bed, make them set their alarm 15 minutes earlier than usual. It’s better to start a new schedule at the beginning of the school year, than a few weeks in.
• If your child needs back to school clothing or school supplies, involve your child and they will likely begin to get excited about going back to school. It’s recommended that you buy their backpack and binder early, for the best selection.
•  Purchase a few new school supplies to use at home and help them to stock and organize their homework area and declutter their bedrooms.

Shop for backpacks and other back to school supplies from the comfort of your home and save time and money!  Home Storage Warehouse is charging only $2.95 shipping on all orders for a limited time. 

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she teaches homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers Time Management workshops to businesses to maximize productivity.  Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com.  Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.

They say that practice makes perfect, meaning the more you practice a new skill or habit, the better you become. Learning how to be organized from an early age is a valuable and necessary skill that can be learned over time and taken into adulthood.  When a new college student begins dorm life, it will most likely be their first time living away from home.  It is also the perfect opportunity to practice being independent as they embark towards adulthood.

Parents are often dismayed at the total lack of organization in their child’s dorm room when they visit their new college student after they have settled into dorm life.  They often wonder where they went wrong!  However, it’s never too late to learn how to be more organized.

Planning ahead before your child goes off to college is key.  As you shop for products for your child’s dorm room, think of items that will make it easy for them to be more organized.  Dorm rooms have the additional challenge of being a small space, sometimes shared with one or more students, so multi-purpose furniture and space saving organizers will help to control the clutter.  When your student is organized and able to find what he needs, he will most likely be more successful later in life. 

Take a look at the many spaces saving organizers that can control the clutter in your child’s dorm room. You can find organizing products for toiletries, make-up, bath products, shoes, clothing, magazines, laundry and more, that fit over the door, in the closet and under the bed.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com