My boys are pretty smart kids. They can read like speed demons and do well in school. But one area of their education is completely lacking-ORGANIZATION. I must do a disclaimer here and admit that the apple did not fall too far from the tree on this one. I had serious issues in my childhood with organization and still am not good at staying organized. I think of great systems but follow thru is always lacking. But I feel that I have come a long way.
It is soooo easy however to see the ridiculousness of disorganization in my children. Last night I looked in Jacob's binder which is mostly just for holding lined paper cause he won't organize anything beyond that. Anytime he needs to write something he just opens his binder to wherever and starts writing. Then the next time he begins flipping through for 5 minutes to find the assignment lost somewhere in the middle of all that paper. And if that isn't hard enough sometimes he writes on the front side and sometimes the back side. SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
And lets not get started on their backpacks and desks....The usual excuse is not enough time which is certainly an excuse that I use as a Mom because there is often a kid crying/needing attention. So it must be reprogramming to say that being organized is worth every second the first time vs all the seconds lost when you can't find whatever it is that you are looking for. I know the argument and logic but it doesn't always come to mind when I have that thing in my hand that I don't want to put away at this second.
I know I am kind of rambling here but if anyone is a recovering disorganized person or just has some great ideas I would love to hear what has helped you the most-especially for my kiddos.
It is soooo easy however to see the ridiculousness of disorganization in my children. Last night I looked in Jacob's binder which is mostly just for holding lined paper cause he won't organize anything beyond that. Anytime he needs to write something he just opens his binder to wherever and starts writing. Then the next time he begins flipping through for 5 minutes to find the assignment lost somewhere in the middle of all that paper. And if that isn't hard enough sometimes he writes on the front side and sometimes the back side. SERIOUSLY RIDICULOUS!
And lets not get started on their backpacks and desks....The usual excuse is not enough time which is certainly an excuse that I use as a Mom because there is often a kid crying/needing attention. So it must be reprogramming to say that being organized is worth every second the first time vs all the seconds lost when you can't find whatever it is that you are looking for. I know the argument and logic but it doesn't always come to mind when I have that thing in my hand that I don't want to put away at this second.
I know I am kind of rambling here but if anyone is a recovering disorganized person or just has some great ideas I would love to hear what has helped you the most-especially for my kiddos.
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Growing up we would always "clear" for company. But really we would just move things from one spot to another creating a bigger mess. A couple years ago my mom told me about OHIO, she certainly doesn't practice it but it is actually helping me a lot when I'm "clearing" things for company. Sure it takes longer but way more worth it to put it where it belongs instead of moving it here and there and creating a bigger mess. Of course it always helps if it has a home to begin with.
I'm not sure what to tell you about the kids though. Michael just shoves papers in his back pack all the time even though there is a folder there to keep everything in. I still can't get them to put their toys away when they are done with it. The most success I've had (with anything)is explaining things when no one is upset. And repeating until things change.
Hope this helps. We need to hang out again. Your kids seem so big now.