What are your hacks for being an organized parent during the school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry these dcum cats are shredding you, OP. I liked your list and got a few hot tips. I keep paper copies of health forms handy too because every bloody camp requires it!

I agree with having a different big tote bag assigned to each extracurricular, one for library books, we also have one for grandma’s house since she lives close by and babysits often, so we send things like extra kid clothes, clean tupperware from leftovers, etc. back and forth in a tote bag.

We also have one-on-one kid meetings 3 times a year:
DH and I sit down with each kid individually and talk about their goals and desires for the next few months (and follow up on previous goals and desires) and talk about what needs to happen to make those plans turn into a reality.
In August we discuss the coming school year, class schedules, BTS shopping budget, social goals for the year and spring extracurriculars.
In January we check in on grades and social stuff and summer vacation/ camp plans.
In May we follow up on grades and social stuff, plan fall extracurriculars and create a summer “bucket list”

I am sure some will say that is an extra task and therefore not a “hack”, but I find it really helps with planning and with behavior and cooperation. So often the scheduling stuff happens behind the scenes and kids feel like life is happening to them. We get far fewer arguments because whatever is on their calendar is something they have committed to.

We actually do that too. My parents did that with us and all of us siblings do that with our kids.

We do something similar when we plan vacations. Everyone in the family will pick out what they want to do in each vacation spot and based on that, we build our iteniary. My kids will research and discuss everything intensely and pick out one activity each. We have had very interesting vacations and road trips thanks to this family sourcing!!

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people do most of what OP suggested. Scanning the documents is a real help.
To her list I would add: make the kids do their laundry the same day each week.

[Anonymous]

People are shredding OP but it’s actually faster to be organized than to look all over for the things she has organized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are shredding OP but it’s actually faster to be organized than to look all over for the things she has organized.

Certainly helps if you have a lot on your plate and you do not want to forget something. I used to have a brain that worked very fast and super sharp memory - before I had kids. Now I need to be organized and follow a to-do list all the time. The difference now is that I use my smartphone and technology a lot. Earlier I had a notebook in which I jotted down everything. + sharing with other family members have become easier with google drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've mentioned this before, but with the onslaught of birthday parties for DD's 16 classmates, at the beginning of the year I take DD to Five Below and we pick out about 20 gifts that range from gender specific to gender neutral. We then go to Dollar Tree and buy 20 birthday cards at 2/$1, a few packs of tissue paper, and gift bags. We keep everything in a bin/tote in the closet. When a birthday party comes up, I send DD to the "gift bin" to pick out a gift for her friend, grab a card to sign, and we're good to go.
The whole year costs me about $125 for all of the kids and I save TONS of time shopping.

Brilliant idea!!!!

[Anonymous]

We get flu shots the first weekend in October and I thought that was early!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've mentioned this before, but with the onslaught of birthday parties for DD's 16 classmates, at the beginning of the year I take DD to Five Below and we pick out about 20 gifts that range from gender specific to gender neutral. We then go to Dollar Tree and buy 20 birthday cards at 2/$1, a few packs of tissue paper, and gift bags. We keep everything in a bin/tote in the closet. When a birthday party comes up, I send DD to the "gift bin" to pick out a gift for her friend, grab a card to sign, and we're good to go.
The whole year costs me about $125 for all of the kids and I save TONS of time shopping.

Brilliant idea!!!!

I first thought five below stuff would be crap, but just went to their website and they have cool stuff that little kids would enjoy:

https://www.fivebelow.com/play/craft-activity-kits.html?___store=default

[Anonymous]

https://www.fivebelow.com/20-piece-glitter-glow-acrylic-paint-set-6ml.html

[Anonymous]

Some things we do:

Shared calendar with kids activities. We have daily activities and usually work it out day before or that day who drives.

Clothing - with boys, its easy. For basics, I buy advanced on clearance from underwear to athletic clothing to every day clothing and keep it in bins. Most stuff gets worn but what doesn't I resell at a consignment sale and usually get my money back. The basic brands for boys don't really change and if we find a shoe that is good, I'll get the next size or two up. (though this is harder to do as they get older with pants after they hit size 16/18). I rarely have to kids clothing shop. I do the same for my husband for basics.

Food - Aldi's is usually cheaper than costco and better prices. I'll precut veggies and other stuff and keep it in containers in the fridge. Only thing I don't prewash is fruit. I'll make a crockpot or other meal that can be eaten for a few days. We also do a lot of eating out (not budget friendly but cheaper places). Some years, kids can bring snacks so I'll do a weeks worth in 5 containers so I just have to swap it out.

For activities, make sure I have enough clothing and towels to get through the week so I don't have to constantly wash. (same with clothing, we have way to many clothes but it makes washing easier). Separate bags per person per activity. Pack bags in advanced after used when they enter the door.

Birthday presents - I'll pick up a few on clearance but usually when the kids are younger. When they are older gift cards or a more personalized gift if kids are close. Our kids presents I buy in advanced or order online. I stock up on some stuff black friday as that is the only time they are on sale.

Annual physical - especially with fall birthdays, we do ours in the summer so we don't have to miss anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fivebelow.com/20-piece-glitter-glow-acrylic-paint-set-6ml.html

depends on the kid. Would not get used here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry these dcum cats are shredding you, OP. I liked your list and got a few hot tips. I keep paper copies of health forms handy too because every bloody camp requires it!

I agree with having a different big tote bag assigned to each extracurricular, one for library books, we also have one for grandma’s house since she lives close by and babysits often, so we send things like extra kid clothes, clean tupperware from leftovers, etc. back and forth in a tote bag.

We also have one-on-one kid meetings 3 times a year:
DH and I sit down with each kid individually and talk about their goals and desires for the next few months (and follow up on previous goals and desires) and talk about what needs to happen to make those plans turn into a reality.
In August we discuss the coming school year, class schedules, BTS shopping budget, social goals for the year and spring extracurriculars.
In January we check in on grades and social stuff and summer vacation/ camp plans.
In May we follow up on grades and social stuff, plan fall extracurriculars and create a summer “bucket list”

I am sure some will say that is an extra task and therefore not a “hack”, but I find it really helps with planning and with behavior and cooperation. So often the scheduling stuff happens behind the scenes and kids feel like life is happening to them. We get far fewer arguments because whatever is on their calendar is something they have committed to.

We actually do that too. My parents did that with us and all of us siblings do that with our kids.

We do something similar when we plan vacations. Everyone in the family will pick out what they want to do in each vacation spot and based on that, we build our iteniary. My kids will research and discuss everything intensely and pick out one activity each. We have had very interesting vacations and road trips thanks to this family sourcing!!

Do you all have that many kids that you can only talk to them 3 times a year? I cannot imagine what we'd talk about. We regularly talk about grades, classes and interests. Social goals? Not sure what that is but ok.

[Anonymous]

August is too early for a flu shot. It needs to last through March or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fivebelow.com/20-piece-glitter-glow-acrylic-paint-set-6ml.html

depends on the kid. Would not get used here.

I feel like I can't win with the gifts, I've heard parents complain about everything - a gift was cheap, or tacky, they'll never use it, etc. I should probably just ignore the catty bus stop chatter. So I let my DC pick out the gift at five below for their friend and hope for the best. They all seem to like glitter, nail polish, slime, and art supplies and that seems to be what five below specializes in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:August is too early for a flu shot. It needs to last through March or so.

Actually, it does last that long.We get our flu shots in August and we are well protected through the flu season. Our worst months for falling sick though is is October, November, December and Jan.

[Anonymous]

https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/health-benefits-of-blowing-a-shankh-or-a-conch-shell-t0817-514360/

Flu season can last as long as May. I prefer to get it early so that they are protected till end of feb at least. As long as you have quadrivalent variety of flu uou are ok.