kidsklutter

Fall Season

2011-10-01T11:09:00.003-06:00

Hello,from Kids Klutter and Happy Fall!
If you joined us for the last blog you
have some ideas on getting your family
organized and school has begun in full
swing!

Most of us are ready for the summer to
be over and are switching gears for the
next season. Shorter sun days and warmer
clothes are closer. Having three children
myself, I often wonder how I keep them
all on track with school work, home chores
and family time along with all the extra
curricular activities they choose. I ask
myself if we are just too busy already and
school has just begun. And if so, how can
I instill slowing down in each of their minds
if I am moving just as fast?

Whether you are a stay at home or working
mother, there are not enough hours in the day.
How do you carve out time for everything and
everyone? It takes careful and timely planning
to make it all work for sure. And, as we all
know, time does not slow down for anyone.

My suggestion to everyone is to take time
to plan. Whether it be a goal to have dinner
together nightly or on certain nights, set it
up now and make it a pattern moving forward.
If one on one time can only happen in transition
then make the time count in content. We bring
a devotion book with us in the car and on the
way to school or an activity we choose a subject
to discuss and keep one another engaged in
conversation and family. Another suggestion is
to have the kids be responsible for planning a
meal a week and then helping to prepare it. The
time you share in the kitchen will be the memories
you remember most.

The biggest thing in family dynamics is the tone
the parents set. If we are busy, the kids get
busier. If we slow down, they slow down. Realizing
that activities tend to dictate our time these days,
re-evaluate how to plan them to fit your family and
not have your family fit into the activity.
And if you are running around, make that car time
count. Share a story, play a game and do not forget
to laugh.

I think it is best said that being a parent is the
greatest and most difficult job you will ever do in
your life. It is also the most rewarding. Family is
the most important thing! Chaos is a part of life
these days, but we can all rope it back in to less
stress with a plan. We all need some structure
regardless of age to function at our best. So, sit
down with your family today and make a plan.

And, take some time to see those turning colors,
smell that fresh air of changing seasons and crunch
some leaves together!

Blessings and have a great fall. From your
friends at kidsklutter. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com and pass us along to your
PTA or PTO!

Back To School Frustrations

2011-08-05T08:53:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it is August already? Some of
us are wondering where the summer went. The
weather has been extreme all over the United
States and many have had to deal with difficult
circumstances. We hope that if any one of your
families was affected by this weather you are
on your way to healing and recovery.

Going back to school can sometimes feel very
frustrating. The kids have been home, schedules
have been flexible and getting back into a set
routine is always a challenge at the start of
school. However, DO NOT despair. This is the
cycle of a busy home.

So, how can you make this transition a little
easier when each year it seems to be more
complicated? Our children are growing, activities
are changing and expectations at school seem to
be more involved.

In preparation for school, you can begin by
making a few early changes. Start with making
bedtime a little earlier and slowly begin waking up
your child up closer to the time needed to get
ready for school. Another way to get your children
in the school set of mind is to serve meals and
snacks closer to the time it happens during the
school year. These will just help regulate your
child's clock for the school year routine!

Family preparedness is always important to the
success of getting back into the school routine.
Begin the year with a family meeting and start
a journal at dinnertime. Ask everyone what a goal
might be for the school year (this can be done
for any age) and how they feel they will achieve
it. Write it down in the journal so that you
revisit it as a family during the school year.
Family members can offer suggestions and ideas
in helping one another reach goals. You can
also write down things that worry one another
and come up with a plan together on how you
can ease a family members concerns. Creating
a journal helps everyone be accountable.

Another good resource for families is to have
a communication center that everyone has access
to. Whether it be a large calendar, a whiteboard
or another source that your family feels will work
for you, it is important to be on the same page.
Using different color markers for each member of
the family is also an easy way for everyone to
understand their own schedule or chore.

Adding a way to give inspirational messages to one
another is very empowering as well. Perhaps sticky
notes on the bathroom mirror, bedroom door or backpack
with a happy note for the day can create smiles and
hidden hugs. These go a long way!

Most importantly, the family needs to have some
ground rules based on what you all feel are most
important in the well being and safety of everyone
in your home. Respect, expectation and consequences
are all a vital part to helping one another grow as
a family and role model these attributes in your
day.

Getting your children organized for school can also
be easier by using a supply vendor. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com for more information and happy
return to school!

Summer Fun

2011-06-13T13:29:00.012-06:00

Hello and welcome to the beginning of summertime! Longer days and warmer weather. However, school is out and that requires a bit more organization on our part as parents. So, what is the plan?

Perhaps you have a family vacation planned and that will take getting everyone on the same page with packing and what to bring. A suggestion would be create a to do list for the family and give each member a task to complete for this trip. Even our little one's can get their toys together and help pack. Infact, they love doing those things more than we do sometimes. Make this vacation a memorable one in planning, getting ready to go and being on the trip together. This will also help your children see what goes into taking a trip and a teachable moment in giving them early skills to keep organized and help.

Maybe you are staying home this summer and keeping low key. There is always so much going on during the school year and a quiet summer sounds like the road to travel. The local pool, a picnic or the park. The expense to do activities is sometimes outrageous.

However, it does not always have to be. In most cities, some of the major museums and zoos have a free day during the summer to explore. Check online for your local opportunities and plan a free day with the family. A picnic lunch is a great way to complete this fun day.

A ballgame can be less expensive as well. Look for the family nights where you can get four tickets and dinner for a reasonable fee. Perhaps you encourage your family to look forward to this night. Set up some summer chores around the house where everyone participates and the reward is the game.

On an academic note, let your children pick out some great summer reading books at the library. Keep their skills up in this area and map out family reading time each day. Reading will always promote positive skills and keep children engaged in the learning process. Some libraries even host a challenge of some sort to read so many hours during the summer and then your child can receive a reward from them. Check your local library to find out what summer activities they have as well.

Whatever this summer brings you, remember to practice safety and have fun. Family time seems to be shorter these days and summer is usually a time when the sports and club activities require less meeting time. Use that time to reconnect and find that family laughter with time together. Take a walk, ride your bikes, cook-out and sit on the patio, play board games and find the fun.

We at www.kidsklutter.com wish you a healthy, safe and fun summer filled with family and friends...

Happy Summer!

kids klutter

2011-03-27T07:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Spring from kids klutter!

For most of us, winter usually gives us
a feeling of hibernating and trying to stay
warm. Many places in the United States
experienced horrible snow and ice storms
that left those somewhat isolated and trapped
indoors. Perhaps this was a blessing in
families having more time to be together and
play games or get some of those indoor
projects done. However, typically those
cleaning and organizing projects always seem
to wait until Spring. And, the kids klutter
becomes one of those major projects.

I always love the Springtime. This is a time
when there is renewed energy, brighter days,
fresh ideas and wonderful sounds and smells in
the air. The kids should go outside as much as
possible, so that they can get this feeling of
a new spirit.

So, now comes the reality inside. The kids
"klutter" has grown over the winter. Not to
mention your kids have probably all grown as
well! It is time to go through those closets,
drawers and reorganize. There is always a sense
of accomplishment when doing this in our houses.
Cleaning klutter gives us a new uplifted spirit
as well.

How do we get our children on board for this
cleansing? Depending on the age, you can always
find jobs in your child's room that empower
them. Kids usually enjoy new things, so if you
have them go through their things and make piles
of those clothes that fit or not fit, toys they
have outgrown, etc. you can empower them in
talking about "giving". This is a perfect time
to discuss that they can give to others by
donating clothes they have outgrown or toys they
can share with someone who would treasure them.
Teachable moments are all around us and if the
entire family is getting the klutter cleaned up
and contributing then we, as parents are modeling
positive life skills as well. And, then there is
a shopping trip of some kind when all this is done
for new clothes or other needed items.

Spring is also a time for the home run stretch at
school. Making sure school supplies are in order
and the kids are prepared for the final months is
invaluable to be successful. Go through backpacks
and make sure everything is in order for your child
and their classroom.

kids klutter is here to help you get organized for
next year as well. Visit us at www.kidsklutter.com
to see how you can empower your school to use our
service as a fundraiser and let all of the parents
know how to start their children off successfully
in the fall!

We wish you a warm and healthy season.
The kids klutter team.

What to do on a snow day?

2011-01-10T08:08:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year from kids klutter! Welcome back to school.

It seems like the few weeks off from school was enough to put
us all out of our daily routine and longing for some normality.
Getting back into the swing of school after a shorter break is
sometimes more difficult than having the summer off. We tend
to be more lenient on the short breaks with later bedtimes and
activities. Try to get back into your routine quickly so that
January does not fly by and leave you wondering why your
holiday decorations still up...

We were surprised this morning, after only returning to school
a week ago, with a snow day! What do you do with a snow day?
Snow days are fabulous ways to bond with your children on
other levels. Of course, the obvious is to bundle up and go outside
to sled, build a snow fort or have a snowball fight. These are
great things to do together and wonderful for your heart! However,
what can you do inside that creates a different environment?

Here is a list of some fun things to do when stuck inside. And
some of them are good for all ages.

- build a fort, play games and share a meal inside
- make pancakes or waffles together
- bake cookies or make a snow cake with white frosting
- if like today, in January, write those holiday thank you cards
- read together and then re-enact the adventure in the story
- play dress up
- make crafts out of household things - cups, plates, napkins
- get the picture albums out when the kids were younger - tell
stories of past memories
- find old pictures or print some off of the computer of one another
and make a collage. Let each person tell a family story when done
- paint together with fruit and vegetables
- cut snowflakes for the windows
- play hide and seek

There are endless ways to have fun when stuck inside, but
the most important thing to remember is to find the fun in the
activity and include everyone at home. I know several older
kids who would love to play hide and seek with younger siblings.
And going down memory lane is bound to bring up happy times
and many smiles throughout the day!

Enjoy this winter whatever it may bring you and your family.
Avoid the possibility of getting down because sunshine is
limited by creating other sunshine activities. The gift of
laughter goes a long way.

Happy Winter!

-

Let the chaos begin!

2010-11-28T08:03:00.004-07:00

We enter into this holiday season always
running at full speed ahead! We begin to
write our lists which become lists upon sub-
lists. Our game plan is to collect the ads
from the paper and map out our days to
get to the best sale and buy that special
item. We drive ourselves crazy running
from place to place trying to get everything
done in time. Along with that we have places
to be, people to visit, holiday parties and
plenty of pictures to be taken! It seems like
it will never be done.

What happens to our families in all of this
holiday chaos? As a school teacher, I always
see the children from a different perspective
at holiday time. I see it in my own children
as well. December is a time of excitement, but
also a time of stress all around. And, our
children feed right from us adults. The less
stressed our holiday time is expressed, the better
our children seem to do all around. But in all
actuality, let's face it, this season is stressful.
Part of it is because we may be able to keep it
all organized within our own families, however,
we also have to function right along with the
chaos outside our front door! Everyone else's
stress seems to trickle over.

Keeping your children organized and at peace
during this season begins with us. Do we tend to be
so busy getting things ready that we overlook
how important it is to keep the routine going for
our families? It begins at Thanksgiving time when
they have those first few days off from school and it
seems to run right through the New Year holiday!
What happens in those 6 weeks is sometimes pure chaos.
How everything gets done and falls into place is
a miracle some years. But does it have to be this
crazy?

The holiday season is a time for traditions to be made.
That trip to the zoo to see the lights at night, a seat on
Santa's lap, a roadtrip to grandma's and grandpa's,
a neighborhood or office party, tree decorating and so
many more fun things to do together as a family.

So, in the hustle and bustle of making and filling the
lists and activities, remember to begin some new
traditions and don't forget to keep the old ones going
strong. Relax, enjoy that moment of hot cocoa and
conversation with your children, listen to those stories
of Santa and relatives memories. Keep your children
to their usual routine as much as possible for your
own sanity and enjoy every moment of the holiday
season.

Happy holidays from kidsklutter! To find out how
you can bring a wonderful and organized idea to your
school visit us at www.kidsklutter.com. Your school
can make more money and you can have peace of mind.

A New Season

2010-09-05T18:27:00.002-06:00

Some of us have children who have returned
to school and others are going back this week.
Some of us have young children who are going
to a school for the very first time, young adults
entering middle school or high school or adults
beginning the adventure of college life.

In any event, we are all in a new season. Each
new season presents us with new opportunities.
And with those opportunities comes growth and
the start of something brand new.

Although, it is a great idea to set your family up
to be successful and organized during the school
year, it is equally a time to find out what works
and what does not. And, it is important to change
the not working things early on so they do not
change your positive thinking about all the things
that are working.

A positive attitude is the key to starting each new
day and getting your children motivated. The more
positive things we role model, the more our children
will take on that "can do" attitude. In my house,
my son has tried to stay in bed until the last possible
minute. No alarm clock will wake him up. I will go
in and call him a dozen times and when he finally
gets rolling he only remembers my final call which
is usually something similar to a cattle call. Then his
response is something like, "You do not have to yell
at me!" Not a great way for anyone to start the morning.
Then, as a mom, you manifest it inside that
you did something wrong and it weighs on you throughout
the morning routine and you find yourself apologizing
and more frustrated then ever. So, how do you change
those negative morning routines? I quickly realized it
was in the entire schedule and routine at my house.

Part of it is making your children realize everyone has
a role in the house. In the morning, they are responsible for getting
up, getting dressed, brushing teeth and getting downstairs
for breakfast. Mom is responsible for getting everyone
started, getting lunches ready and breakfast on the table.
Everyone is responsible to help with getting out of the
house on time...be it to the bus stop, the garage or the
car pool friend. When you think about it there are many
things that have to get done in the short amount of time
in the morning because we all move a little slower. To
make it more sane for everyone, make sure all of the
organizing is done the night before. Homework, reading,
backpacks packed, clothes layed out for the next day,
any extra things needed, etc. Moms should simplify their
life in the morning as well - easier breakfasts on school days,
prepare what can be done for lunch the night before. Fancy
breakfasts can be a great time together on the weekends.

Children are overwhelmed easily and routine is key. They
have a schedule at school because it is a fact that they
learn and function better when they have some idea of
what to expect. So, we should try very hard to have a
schedule at home.

A special and appropriate homework place is a start. A desk with
a chair that fits your child is ideal. All children should sit at
a 90 degree angle for optimal learning. If possible, feet should
be touching the floor. If they are sitting in a chair that spins or
their legs dangle, they do not have the best upper trunk support
for writing or creating. A quiet place without outside distractions
will help concentration. And, a reasonable amount of "playtime"
or "downtime" is equally important to a successful student. They
need to separate from school for awhile. Most important, family time
around the dinner table is ideal for talking about the great things that
happened during the day and processing the not so great. Everyone,
regardless of your age, needs to talk about their day and leave with a
positive thought. Reading together is also a great way to spend time
together before bedtime. Something relaxing will help the brain turn
down the bed and be ready for the much needed sleep.

Of course, there is the sport, dance or club you have to factor in to your
master schedule and there will be days when the ideal is not perfect.
We have all done homework in a fast food restaurant or the library
between things. The key here is not to overschedule your children
or your family. Having chaos a night or two is something; however,
if this becomes the norm in your house you will quickly find things
will become more difficult to accomplish all around. It will feel like
the days just flow together and everyone looks forward to a day off.

Find the balance this school year so that everyone can be successful,
rested and heard. Children and adults need balance. This may take
a few weeks to figure out with your family but most important to
keeping a positive outlook as a family. A good guideline is if mom or
dad are feeling overwhelmed with the week then you can assume your
children are feeling it twice as much. A day needs to start and end on
a good note and not be carried through to weeks end. Sit down, as
a family and come up with a master schedule. Plug in all the necessary
things that cannot be moved first. Have everyone take on something
in the house. Kids can plan meals, help shop, help cook, sort laundry,
clean up, set the table. Create a schedule and plug everyone in. The
more involved everyone is in planning the schedule, the more successful
the schedule will be!

Welcome back to school and have a great month!

Mid Summer Chaos

2010-07-12T20:17:00.004-06:00

Where did the summer go? It is almost the middle of July.
Some of you have taken a vacation and some of you are
probably going soon. What does this mean in the chaos of
summer?

Summer is supposed to place us at a slower pace, but in reality
it takes more scheduling than during the school year in most
cases. Whether you are a stay at home or working parent,
finding activities and quality care can be challenging. It seems
that even though our economy is in a difficult place,
the cost of services is still on the rise. This means we all had
to be more strategic in our planning. Perhaps we pooled time
with a neighbor or friend in helping to care for each other's
children or we were able to work out a flexible schedule
with a spouse or at your job to have someone at home in shifts.
As parents, we know that we would do anything for our children
in making sure they had the best possible care available.

Summer comes with stressors. If not the scheduling, it is more
the unscheduled child. It is all about balance. It is important
that there still be some sort of schedule during the summer.
A good plan is to divide play, electronic activity, learning and
quiet time in proportion. Since summer is ideal for sunshine and
outdoor activities, it is good to get the kids outside as much as
possible. All activities can be done outdoors when the weather
permits. Summer is a great time to reinvent those games that
require motor play and interaction with friends.

With all the new technology, it is easy for our children to fall
into the trap of electronic everything! It is time to put the timer
on these activities and get those kids in more physical play with
the main goal of motivating them to keep going on this path in
the fall, winter and spring. Summer allows you habit forming fun!

As a teacher, I see less and less of children being able to just play
and use their creativity to invent new games and have fun
being relaxed...without the intervention of some sort of technology.
We all need to teach them to play regardless of their age. Even
us adults could use more play in our lives.

So the challenge for the rest of the summer is to get outside; pick
up a ball, go for a swim, ride a bike, play a game in the park
or backyard, picnic, read under a tree, sing on the swings, race
down the street, roller skate, dance, sleep under the stars, talk
to your children about the dreams, their own concerns,
find pictures in the clouds, jump in the puddles and look for rainbows.

Whatever the stressors are in your life this summer, find the balance
and get back to basics. Technology will always grow and be available.
Children will be little once and only you can laugh with them everyday!

Have a great rest of the summer!

Time for Routine and Organization - After School

2009-10-17T21:08:00.004-06:00

Part 3 in a 3 part series...

What happens when your kids come home from school? Do you expect homework to be completed right away? Can they have a snack? What about play time? It is important to realize each child is different and some schedules that work for one of your children may not be the best for the other.

Children do need some quiet time and down time after school. Completing homework has to be done and you will need to decide when it works for you, your after school schedule and your child(ren). Keep this a routine so that your kids will know the expectation. Also, monitor any anxiety around your after school schedule. This will help you determine what will work best. Home work should always be done in a suitable place in your home. A desk or table with a well lit area is good. Keep the outside distractions to a minimum. You should plan to supervise, encourage and praise. This is a great place to make learning creative – make sure you and your child are having fun in this process. Laughing and finding new ways to learn difficult concepts can be fun for everyone in the family. If someone is struggling with something, make a game up to play at the dinner table and have everyone participate regardless of their age. It is easier than you think to scale down an older concept or build a younger concept up. This will engage each other in this journey together.

Organization will take time and looks different each school year as your child(ren) grow. Remember that they have to start with a clean slate each year and sometimes that means parents have to be a bit more flexible in creating a new routine. Make sure that you do not over schedule your kids in after school activities. 1-2 is plenty. Let them be kids. And make sure you do not over schedule yourself in school activities and meetings. Your child(ren) need you more during the school year. And finally, everyone in the house must get a good night’s sleep so work on that night time routine and make sure that your kids are getting 8-12 hours if possible. Research shows that even through high school kids need a good night’s rest so that their brain can re-set for the next day.

In closing, remember you do not have to be super-mom or super-dad. Your child(ren) need to know that and they need to see that you have difficulties as well. This is natural and helps them understand their own feelings. It is ok to say no to your kids and to outside commitments. Keep yourself healthy, get a good night’s rest and know that if something did not get done today, there is always tomorrow.

We are building strong minds and creative imaginations. This takes a life time to achieve.

Blessings to each of you this school year!

Time for Routine and Organization

2009-09-26T08:23:00.003-06:00

Part 2 of a 3 part series...

Now that the kids are in school think about what will happen in your day. Whether you are a stay at home mom, dad or work full time the school year changes the dynamics of any schedule. Make sure the tasks of carpools, bus schedules, after school clubs and other important dates are on a master calendar. A suggestion is to keep a master calendar in the kitchen somewhere or in a very visible spot where everyone in the family can see it. If you are talking about multiple schedules then think about color coding your kids so that they will know what they have coming. If your children are younger, try making a picture calendar to give them information at their level of understanding and this way they feel like part of the master plan as well.

Make sure that you have had the opportunity to visit the school with your child(ren). Most schools have an ice cream social or back to school night. It is important for your child to see that you are interested in their education and also let the teacher know you will be working along side of them during the school year in making sure your child is successful. If your child is new to the school, make sure you help them find places like the bathroom, the office, the lunchroom. Although, they get a tour when school starts this will help with any anxiety around the start of school. Even returning students may have nervous feelings about their new class. If your child is bigger, then empower them by having them show you around the school and where their class is located. They will feel at ease if they have a question or concern by being put in a more responsible place. How many of us have heard this statement over and over…”Mom, I know.”

It is important that you stay on top of what your child is eating for lunch and snacks throughout the day. Healthy choices begin at a young age and stay with kids throughout adolescence into adulthood. Set the example early. Find out if the school lunches being served are balanced and if your child will actually even eat them. Otherwise, send a balanced lunch. A snack should not be a sugary one and should provide enough substance to carry them through the day. A piece of fruit, a granola bar, cheese and crackers, etc. are all good examples. Always send a water bottle with your child. Most schools allow them and would rather the kids have easy access to water. This will cut down on the amount of times the children will ask to go and get a drink as well and
make more time for learning.

Part 3 ... After School

Time for Routine and Organization

2009-08-09T19:54:00.003-06:00

Part 1 of a 3 part series...

It is that time again; time to get ready to return to school. Those long days of summer are nearing an end and soon everyone will return to a more routine schedule. That schedule can seem endless filled with school days, homework, after school clubs, sports, dance, carpool, meetings and leaving everyone looking forward to the weekend! Now is the time to set everyone up in the house to be more organized and have some daily expected routines.

Sounds wonderful! Now, where do we begin? A great way to begin is to shop for your school supplies online. kids klutter (www.kidsklutter.com) is a way to have your supplies taken care of keeping your sanity and taking the headache out of shopping at several stores. Since school is ready to begin, you may have already shopped for your supplies and realized it was not an easy task and was expensive…Well, next year think of us and we can help you get those supplies easier. So, now you have the school supplies and your children are ready to go!

Now what? How do I get my kids back into the school routine? A great place to start is with a family meeting. A meeting around a meal is always fun and communication happens naturally. Talk about the start of school, discuss concerns and build your kids up about the new adventure of meeting the teacher, new friends and seeing old faces as well. Acknowledge any fears they may have and let them know you are going to be there to help them get a good start. Also, talk about goals for the school year from each family member and write them down. Make sure you refer to those goals whenever possible to keep the kids on track. Let the family be involved in the daily routine and expectations you may have as parents. Talk about what things must be done and how the family will help one another get those things completed. This is also a good place to discuss safety, especially if your children are taking the bus or walking to school. Stranger danger awareness cannot start too early. There are many resources on this subject – check out your library for information and help your kids understand the importance of being safe at all times.

Agreeing to have a morning ritual is important since that is the first place everyone will feel successful in beginning the day with the feeling of accomplishment that will carry each of you. Wake-up times, getting ready, morning jobs and eating a healthy breakfast are all things that need to happen regularly so make them a part of the daily routine. Make sure all homework and backpacks are done and packed the night before and are kept in the same spot for easy pick up the following morning on the way out the door. Having the kids get their clothes and shoes ready the night before is a time saver in the morning and can be a part of their nighttime routine.

These are all steps in getting you and your kids organized ongoing.

Part 2 ... Back to School

Summer Organization

2009-05-27T17:44:00.004-06:00

By Deb Morgans

Time to get your kids organized for summer and keep your sanity

Are your kids getting tired and ready for summer? Those last few weeks of school can be the most difficult. Knowing that your children need some down time is a good thing but getting them ready for summer can be frustrating. We can help.

First of all, it is important to clean up this past school year. As the school days come to an end, a good tip is to find a place at the beginning of the year where you can collect school papers, reports and other things from your child’s schoolwork. I use a bin or a shelf for each of my children and just put everything in there as the year progresses. I usually do not throw anything away until I clean it out at the end of the year because I always find that my child needs something they have forgotten to turn in at a later time. At the end of the school year, I go through the papers and take a sample of every subject along with some art work and special reports. I put them in a folder and write the school year on the front and file it in a memories box for my child to look at later. Or, ask your child to help you pick out the things you both would like to keep. This helps give them closure on the year and is a way to build them up about their success they just finished. It is a good way to see progress over the years and you have an automatic portfolio of your child’s work! My children love to go back through those memories on a rainy or snowy day.

Then comes getting ready for summer; I find the summer the most difficult for children.
The first few weeks are always great. They play, they hand around, day events are planned but then all of a sudden we, as parents, cannot wait for school to begin again. They start to get bored or seem unglued at times. I started realizing that what they need is some sort of summer routine. All children do best when they know what is coming. That is why they can be so successful in school. Routine is the key. Of course, we do not want to routine them out during the summer, BUT it is important for them to have some sort of schedule or balance in their summer days. Too much of any one thing as they say is not good. So, make sure your days are balanced with outside activities, reading, a short amount of TV, games and events that engage their minds and bodies.

And, if your child was struggling in a subject during the school year, integrate some basic skills in their day as summer moves on. There are plenty of ways to keep a child’s skills up in the summer without making it feel like school. Visiting the library is a great example and most of them have a summer reading program that will work toward a reward. And there are many skill books in our bookstores that will help children keep up. Just have a time where your child will complete a few pages each day or every other day. Other examples of keeping children engaged are letting them help plan mid-day meals, shop for the items and prepare them also. Cooking is a great skill and children love to eat.

In closing, remember that they need to be outside in the sunlight daily so don’t forget the sunscreen. Outside chores are a good way to engage the video game child. And one final note…we tend to let them have a “whatever” time you want to stay up till attitude in the summer; however, that really works against our children and their ability to self regulate when they are too tired. So, some days are good to say ok but it is better to try to stick to a routine time even if it is just a little later then the school year. You will find that your child has a much better time making positive decisions during the day, interacting with other children and feeling good about themselves. And, you will find that you feel better yourself!

Blessings to you and your family for a fun, safe and healthy summer!

A New Day!

2009-03-31T19:10:00.001-06:00

Welcome one and all!

This is our first blog entry and so I thought that a small sample of what we will be sharing here going forward would be nice.

kids klutter is committed to helping parents and teachers find new and innovative ways to help children to become better organizers. We believe that "children who are well-organized experience a greater level of self confidence and usually become more successful". This is one way that we can help at providing some tools or resources to help you create that successful organizer in your children and get them off to the right start.

It is somewhat fitting that we as educators and adults could always use a refresher course in these areas as well! Just as I am going through the process of writing this and a few other ideas down, my three kids are combing the house for the mailbox keys as we have misplaced them! You must love the irony!