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Parent’s Tips for Mastering Back To School / Family Command Center (part 4 of 4)
In the final segment of our 4 part Mastering Back to School series, we look at how a complete, visible and really functional Family Command Center can be a game-changer for keeping track of all the activity that comes up during the school year. Yes, if you’re tech savvy, there are some great options with digital family calendars like these. 5 Best Shared Calendar Apps Sometimes though, a physical Family Command Center can be helpful to corral more than just the calendar function. Here are a few suggestions that I’ve used to...
read moreParent’s Tips for Mastering Back To School / Setting Routines (part 3 of 4)
Can you hear it? Wait – listen closely …. its the faint call of teacher’s voices, school bells and zipping up of overstuffed backpacks in the oh so near future!! In segment 3 of our series of back to school tips we look at setting routines and the giant benefits you and your kids can derive from routine. Routine doesn’t mean rigid or tedious – the opposite in fact is true. When there are easy to follow, intuitive and helpful actions there’s less stress and uncertainty – life actually gets...
read moreParent’s Tips for Mastering Back To School – Organized Spaces (part 2 of 4)
Mastering back to school starts with having organized spaces to make life easier & more functional for everyone in the family. Creating go-to systems and spaces helps take the stress and hassle out of the back to school process – – who couldn’t use a little more calm in the morning? Here are four examples of what I mean: Dedicate a homework area – create a space with a clear surface, good lighting, a comfortable well fitting chair and all the necessary supplies handy. The quieter it is, with minimal...
read moreTips for Mastering Back To School / School Supplies! (part 1 of 4)
Well parents – the finish line is in sight! The end of the rainbow! The light at the end of tunnel! School is about to start after a long, hot summer! Yipppeeeeee!!! You likely have received a supplies list from your kids’ teachers, but just in case, here are some of the most popular items: To save time and hassles: Take a look around & reuse/repurpose as much as you can from your home’s existing inventory. Think about ordering online – you’ll spend less time at stores, parking and in line and more time...
read moreJust Enough Really Is Enough…
A month or so back, I visited my niece Julia in Seattle – she was staying in a short term apartment rental for 3 months while studying there. I fell in love with the simplicity and functionality of her kitchen, and it reminded me that it perfectly exemplified how “just enough really is enough”. She had 8 large plates, small plates, bowls, and mugs. She had the standard necessary utensils, along with 3 pots and 2 pans, 2 glass baking dishes and 3 mixing/storage bowls. And with the dishwasher, she would run it (economy cycle!) when...
read moreFinding Dad’s Boxes of Letters – – Here’s Some Help!
Time and time again, I find people struggling with what to do with sentimental/personal items that belonged to someone who’s passed away. Recently I gave a presentation to a wonderful group of women who are part of a local Home & Garden Club, and one of the ladies asked what to do with several boxes of her Dad’s letters that she recently found. Take a quick peek at this short video to hear some thoughts and ideas I shared with her on how to handle this, and similar situations: Finding Boxes of Dad’s Letters Video Hope you...
read moreHow To Decide To Keep Or Let It Go
It can be so hard to arrive at the decision of whether to keep something, or to let it go…especially when it’s something that belonged to someone who has passed away. If you’ve encountered a situation like this yourself, I think this could help – – take a quick peek at this video blog where I tell the story of Donna who wrestled with those same decisions….and what I suggested to help make it easier. How To Decide To Keep or Let Go For more information on Simplify with Eileen and how I can...
read more3 Tips on Storing Your Holiday Decorations
Every year, a litany of curses can be heard as the search commences for the holiday decorations. Those curses continue when the boxes and bins are unpacked and it’s all just a big mess. “Where the @#(*&#*@ are the wreaths for the porch?” and “Why are only 3 of the 6 stockings in this @#%*(%)#)@! box?” Sound familiar? Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have it all beautifully organized so stress, headaches and the foul mouth of a longshoreman are no longer your reality? Here are 3 simple tips that can make...
read more5 Organizing Projects that are Perfect for Fall
Ahhhh, the changing of the seasons. Days getting crisper & cooler. Foliage taking on bright orange and red hues. Happy Fall, Y’All! Want to know 5 of the best organizing projects you can tackle this fall, and why? Check it out below: 1. GARAGE – With more comfortable weather, it won’t be a...
read more10 Tips for Getting Organized This Spring
Spring has sprung! (finally!) It’s a perfect time of year to start tackling your organizing projects and get your space in shape. With that in mind, I wanted to share my Top 10 Tips for Getting Organized This Spring: Start Early – Begin the process sooner than later, avoid last minute scrambles and make the process more manageable and less stressful. Start Small – Approach it with little “bites” at a time. Maybe start with just all the surfaces in a room today, and then tackle the drawers tomorrow. Consider...
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