Inside: Are your counters being overtaken by school paperwork? Does your child bring in way too many papers and dump them without you knowing what to do with them all? Do you feel disorganized and overwhelmed by the clutter? There’s a simple solution that comes with a FREE Guide to organize and declutter all the papers!
I don’t know about you, but I am constantly being given too many school papers.
And now that I have three kids in school, the amount of papers coming in my home is out of control.
As they tromp through the backdoor and unload their backpacks, I am inundated daily with 10-40 pieces of papers that I need to sift through.
Friday Fun Days? Nope.
Friday Extra Paper Day as they clear out and bring me all their classwork from their mailboxes.
I get homework, corrected homework, unfinished classwork, graded classwork.
Book Order Forms, Yearbook sign ups, PTA sign ups, Teacher Newsletters, coloring pages they did during free time, and permission slips to chew bubble gum in science class.
I am not making this up. It all came home today.
On the second day of school.
I have learned over the years, that if I don’t take care of the school paperwork fast, I will lose important papers and I will feel overwhelmed and disorganized.
Two emotions that don’t help my overall mental health.
Here’s How You Can Get Rid of and Declutter the School Papers to Finally Get Organized:
So, I use a simple guide and my trusty recycle bin to get the paper clutter under control.
1. Get file folders… Each new school year, you will need:
1 for each school your child is at,
1 for each teacher,
and 1 for each of your children.
(For example: if you have 1 kid, you’re going to need 3 folders. If you have three kids all at the same school, you’re going to need 7 folders.)
2. Get magnetic clips to hang up special work and to hang up study guides/spelling lists on your refrigerator.
3. Get a box or a bin to store older students’ work until the quarter/reporting period is over.
4. Bonus: Get a notebook with plastic sleeves for kid’s artwork or schoolwork they just can’t part with. This way, they can flip through the book and look at their handiwork without papers all over your house.
My ten year old still looks through her book we created when she was in Kindergarten.
Two Tips to Get Organized!
1. Go through backpacks everyday.
If you let the papers pile up, you’re back to where you started.
2. Recycle your kid’s work when they are NOT standing next to the recycle bin.
The classwork that they did a week ago will suddenly become very important to them as soon as they see it in the trash.
I’ve had recycled papers miraculously find their way back to my counter with the accusatory: “Why was this in the trash?”
I now have to use stealth mode when recycling.
But it’s worth it to not be overrun with paperwork everywhere.
Take back your counters!
Kelly Anthony says
This is wonderful! I always feel guilty throwing stuff out, but I also don’t want to be a hoarder! 😂 Thanks for the tips!
Nicole Black says
Ditch the mom guilt with the papers! 😉 The only time I feel guilty is when they catch me recycling and I they fish their stuff out of the trash bin!
Kristi says
I’m excited to get the organizer. I literally just took a break because I’ve been organizing their school work!
Nicole Black says
I’m so glad!! Let me know how it works for you!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries says
I so need this! My daughter brings home PILES of paper each day!!
Nicole Black says
Isn’t it amazing how much they send home? And my school does a ton digitally! Hope the guide helps!
Brenda says
This is great! I love your binder artwork idea, SO SMART. I’m definitely implementing that! My daughter’s in kindergarten and I think she has a lot of papers now! And I had to laugh about throwing away the artwork. My daughter always seems to find it, no matter how careful I am!
Nicole Black says
I love the art binders…I just found my son’s buried under his bed and it’s so sweet to see his old art work all in one place. I hope the guide to decluttering the school papers helps!
Marie says
I love the binder idea for artwork — great way to keep it, but out of the way and less cluttery feeling!
Nicole Black says
I’m so glad! It’s an easy solution to the stuff you’re indecisive on. I really hope the guide helps you declutter the rest of it!
April Kitchens says
Great tips. I’ve been organizing my daughter’s work into expandable folders by the month. It’s working well so far, but I’ll probably need a better system when she is older.
Heather says
Recycling your kids artwork, you speak my language 🙂 Moms definitely have to do that in the dark of night. I keep a folder in my kitchen that all school papers destined for the recycle bin go in to. Then I can empty it when the opportunity presents itself. Going through the backpack every day is absolutely key, if you miss one day, you’ll be sorrry.
Nicole Black says
Sounds like we have a lot in common! Must use mom ninja skills to get rid of recycled papers, party goodie bag toys and happy meal toys. 🙂
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