The trick, of course, is getting my kids on board. I'm blessed to have a good size mudroom with lockers, but that doesn't mean that my children have fully grasped the concept just yet. The ritual is they must put their backpacks in their drawers as soon as they walk in the door.
Perhaps you don't have drawers. Maybe you could designate a basket or hooks for them. Remember that they're kids and the hooks should be lowered. That's what I used before we had the cabinets.
They know (but don't always do) they have to empty their lunch box and put it in the lunch drawer. I've talked about this in the past, and I LOVE it. No, it currently doesn't look like this. There are two slices of bread, an empty peanut butter jar, and crumbs in it right now.
And finally, they must put any school papers, library books, or folders in here. They do their homework right after their snack, so they know right where to go when it's time to get to work. This fool proof plan works 77.3% of the time. 
Remember when I made this, and it was all cutey and decorated "just so" with papers?
Here's the reality of it. T-ball sign up notices, school assignments, and math charts take over now. That's ok. It doesn't have to be neat. It has to be functional!
I'll be back with some more tomorrow!
39 comments:
You had me at... "It's that time of year where I want my house cleansed & my schedule purified." AMEN, sistah! I can totally relate to this sentiment. Gotta say I love your lunch drawer, too! Wow.... fun, practical, organized. Love it!
77.3% of the time, huh? : ) I used to do similar with my kids when they were younger. I had hooks for their backpacks; and a two-tier wicker tray for their school papers {each kid had their slot}. They also had to do homework after a snack.
Now it's more of getting my 19 year old son to put his dishes in the dishwasher {which is right next to the gosh darn sink!} and doing his laundry! Got any tips for that?
Thanks for the ideas. I just posted this morning about getting my son more organized for school.
Love the idea of the lunch drawer. I just started a snack basket with the same general idea. Keep the ideas coming!
We have hooks, however, I would love to find a set of lockers like that.
We have a snack drawer that is full of the little treat bags, but being a budget girl I buy large bags and use the little ziplocks to make my own packs.
I am in the process of putting up a work center. Stop my blog in the following weeks to see how it goes. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
what useful ideas! thanks so much! i have become addicted to using baskets to organize things in.
lana
www.joeyandlana.com
So jealous of your mudroom! What great ideas though.
You are such an organized one! Love seeing that...cant concieve...but love seeing!!
Excellent ideas, thank you for sharing!
Can you PLEASSSSSSSSSE SEND ME YOUR MUD ROOM? SEE, I dont' have one ;) I am all about organizing, having a functional spot, place, drawers etc. You have done great. Love it. GOOD MOM!!!!!
Yep. Need a touch of organization around here. I remember your post on the files on the wall - did it here and love it!
A lunch drawer! That is so genius! Packing home lunch for school is one of the least favorite parts of my day! I am going to do this at my house ASAP!
Love your ideas, especially the lunch drawer...
When my kids were young we hung a set of plastic hooks (seafoam green, Rubbermaid, I think -- yes, I'm old) inside the front coat closet. Right at their height. 4 hooks. 2 kids. Each with a backpack and a coat. Perfect. Kids are all grown up and moved out, but the hooks are still there. Plastic grocery bags hang from them now.
I love the polka dots on that peg board! I plan to add peg board to our laundry area someday, and that's a perfect touch of whimsey.
Love your ideas! Keep them coming. I'm filing these all away for when I am blessed with little ones of my own.
Your mudroom lockers are my DREAM. But it's nice to know that, even with your perfect lockers and your foolproof plan, your success rate is just 77.3%. I would have thought more like 95%. I think I have you organized girls on a bit of a pedestal.
Can I ask where you got the silver filing baskets that hang on your wall? I have been looking for some but can't find any that hang?
Thanks:)
I just wanted to tell you I love your blog. I did a painting project at home becasue of what I saw on your site. And I am SOOO happy with it. Thank you.
Well, *MY* kids do it 78.2% of the time...so neener neener. If I had a drawer like that my boys would have those crackers and cookies scarfed up like a pack of wild wolves in minutes. I have to HIDE their lunch food! Off to cleanse and purify...you know it. January isn't good for much else and I'm working on it!
Love the lunch draw idea. Think I'm gunna have to try that one!
Great post, thanks for all the neat ideas!
I'm with you on the cleansing and purifying. My apartment is a work in progress!
Love it!
I just had to share,
A friends asked me if I was willing/able to adopt a 13mo old Nemesis!
when I received that email, I immediately thought of you...
She is super cute though... :)
I really like the peg board idea. I have one in the basement that I haven't been using.
I also have enjoyed reading your blog, especially your projects. I'm going to start keeping my eyes open for furniture to refinish. Thanks!
Really good ideas for a family with children. I only have one child and so it is kinda easy on the organizing front. I wish I had your mudroom. Nice.
Is it wrong that one of my lifelong dreams is to have a mudroom like that?!?
I have an award for you!!! :)
my office is the same way! I posted nice inspiration images, now they're covered with reminders...of when to pay bills! :)
I used to do the M-F bins for my daughter, it never worked as she always chnages her mind what to wear in the morning.
I have a little area for jackets and shoes and the kids bookbags go buy the front door. I love thedrawer idea and may use it if we ever have the room. I also have a whiteboard and corkboard for their paperwork and to write down when tests and projects are due and friendly reminders for us, them or the babysitter. I love the idea of being organized it truly makes me happy. I dont have the lunchbag area but I do have a spot where we keep them and also a place for our sandwich bags, sandwich holders thermos' and such. I like the one drawer idea though. Thanks for sharing and come check out my blog www.carribear0620.blogspot.com
Ok I JUST did a post at my blog http://blissedoutbaby.blogspot.com/2010/01/organization-is-key-to-success.html
on organizing too!
Check out my drawers! Feel free to DROOL over them :)
I read your blog faithfully, LOVE your work, LOVE it! :)
Thanks!
Laura
I recently stumbled across your blog and I love it here.
Love your ideas.
I may have to "borrow" a few of them.
Our mudroom looks organized when the kids are at school. I wish the hook idea really worked for my son ... he's a toss it on the floor so everyone can trip over it on their way into the house kinda kid. Let's not even discuss his bedroom.
The story of my life: If I could only get my kids on board. I guess I should probably lighten up my son is only 22 months. The real catch would be getting my husband to go along with my organization. I love your organization style and you have totally motivated me.
Thanks for all the great ideas! I would love to know where you purchased the silver hanging wall files - they are exactly what I've been looking for!
Linda
How I wish my husband had even one pair of tweezers!!! Oh how I envy you ;) Love the blog...keep it up!
I do some nanny work for a family that has drawers like that. It drives me nuts because they all just walk right in and dump everything right on the ground in front of the drawers. I think you teach your kids something by letting them be lazy like that. Glad you make them pick up.
I would love to have someone "cleanse and purify" my house. I seem to lack the gene!
We use hooks behind our front door for backpacks. Our backpacks are actually serving as diaper bags that also carry Moms magazines, research, and purse contents since that's the part of life we are in right now. We also have our older son's church bag up there so it can be grabbed quickly as we head out the door on Sunday. It contains colors, coloring books, books, paper, little action figures, and other quiet toys as we teach him to sit through church.
I asked for a pot rack for Christmas. It doesn't hang from the ceiling, but from the wall. I love it. I got so much space in my big in size but tiny in storage kitchen by hanging pots.
I have a put together white cabinet with doors. It's supposed to serve in the bathroom. BUT, I got it to use for videos. I have all our DVD's, videos, and other paraphanalia for the TV in it, behind closed door so I don't have to look at them. It clears up the visual clutter.
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