Now that the kids are back in school, everyone in the family is once again working at home.
Kids doing assignments. Parents paying bills, managing their finances, juggling their schedules.
Yes, it may be the grown-ups' office, but you'll likely be sharing it with your kids until June because they have paperwork, too.
Between the schoolwork tsunami and the other stuff they bring home - the contagious and antibiotic-requiring kind - fall is a whirlwind of paper clutter and germs galore.
An annual rite of passage that requires a seasoned cleaning and organizing taskmaster.
Good thing we're on the job, right? Armed with simple cleaning and organizing tools - think a bottle of rubbing alcohol, several rolls of paper towel, a
cleaning caddy
or three to get this party started - and we're off to make the grade teaching our kids to buff, divide, and organize their way through the school year.
Here's how to create a kids' work station - and to keep it clean.
1 File It.
Set up a file system for each academic subject. Per child. You'll need to set aside a file cabinet or box for each child's use.
If you're sharing work spaces with your kids, this is the perfect time to bring home those cute home office portables you see in the office-supply stores. The rattan lidded file box. the everything basket.
2 Outfit it.
Deck the desk with essential schoolwork tools. These will vary by your child's age, grade, and the subjects he's studying this school year.
But the basics include pens, pencils, paper, erasers, tape, staples and probably a hole punch.
3 Hunt and gather it.
Gather creative supplies - in an alternative location. Although younger kids don't do much homework, per se, they do do artwork.
I've found a secondary homework center in the kitchen is best suited to cleaning up messes of the colorful, busy variety. I use a cleaning supply caddy as a portable home for coloring books, paper, markers, crayons, and zip-close clear plastic cases for stickers and pipe cleaners.
4 Clean it.
Create a cleaning 101 caddy for desk surfaces and
computers;
stock with baby wipes or antibacterial wipes, Q-tips (for between the keyboard keys), rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Drips, smudges, and dirt on desktops are ubiquitous in any homework central.
Mom, can I have a ____? It will eventually happen - if it hasn't already. Here's how to choose
an easy-maintenance pet
based on your child's age.
Sleepover Survival Guide
"Mom, can I have a sleepover?" These words strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. Here's the lowdown on what you need to know
if the sleepover
is at your house.
