I recently got asked this question by a frustrated mom:
School’s out and I’m overwhelmed with all the stuff that is left over. Do you have any ideas on how to get a grip on all the paper that my kids bring home from school so I’m prepared this fall? It got ahead of me this year but I don’t want to make that mistake again…I’m afraid it will take over my house if I don’t have a plan!
Great feng shui question, so here’s my answer…
I feel your pain sister! Kids bring home TONS of papers – it can be really hard to stay on top of it all. So I say the best way to not get overwhelmed is to get a handle on it before it gets out of control. Remember, there has to be dedicated physical space for every intended function within the house. Temporary storage for school information and incoming papers included.
First, find a spot in the house that can handle it. Often, it starts encroaching on the kitchen counter (which is pretty incongruent with what a kitchen counter is designed for.) If you have the kitchen space and no other – go for it. Clean out a junk drawer that is currently only holding old twist ties and give it a more functional use. If not, then carve out space somewhere else (and don’t even think about your bedroom here!) I believe each child should have their own space somewhere – hopefully it can be in the same neighborhood as where they do their homework and have easy access to it.
I also hope this space can be “permanent” (and not simply a temporary zone at the kitchen counter where it has to be removed every day.) Even if your children does their homework on the living room floor or at the kitchen counter, they need a “permanent space” elsewhere to keep books, backpacks, etc. and hopefully this “paper drop zone” can take up residence there too. A wire mesh bin (the metal will promote cleanliness as opposed to a wooden or woven one) near the bill paying desk or area may be the choice to make. It may be necessary to have one bin for each child to keep things organized so those stackable office trays might be the answer. Don’t let them be big enough to actually hold a year’s worth of stuff either! Set up a ritual (once a week or month) to clean it out, or it just may swallow up all your living space! Perhaps this is a Sunday night ritual or a tacked-on task when you pay the bills.
The refrigerator can be used for your proud displays, but don’t let them overtake the space! Try to keep 50% of the refrigerator facade empty so it can visually “hold” what you hang up.
And now, a note for the parent who can’t seem to throw ANY of your child’s papers or work out:
Appreciate them and then let them go. (Consider a paper recycling bin near the mesh bin above!)
I’m talking about the parent who can’t let go even if that particular paper doesn’t mean that much (or anything) to the child. I don’t think you are doing anyone any favors by saving EVERYTHING your child brings home. It is slowly eating up living space within your home’s living body and it keeps some people living in the past. And do I even need to discuss what it may be doing to your health?
Consult a professional organizer if you can’t make decisions here, or enlist a friend or relative to help of you can go there. But please don’t stifle your energy thinking that these papers and class projects are more valuable than your family’s health. The Chinese say not to have books in the bedroom because “they’re dead.” The energetic quality of most stuff that comes home I would lump in the same category.
July 13, 2012 - 8:17 am
I have trouble keeping up with the junk mail in my house. Our kitchen table becomes the catch-all and I just hate seeing it so clutterly. I like the idea of setting a schedule for cleaning out that “mail area”. Hopefully I can keep up with it.
Books are dead? How do the feng shui gurus actually live in their houses with all these dang rules?
How much energy do you think books actually take away from you or the bedroom area? What about books in the bedroom that are stored inside a drawer of a nightstand? Also, if books are stored in an open nightstand is it bad? I’m thinking of getting a new nightstand & I like my books at night.
Thanks! Nicole
July 13, 2012 - 8:53 am
I remember so clearly one of the students in my sociology class dumped all class handouts in the garbage can at the end of class. Talk about clutter free. On the other hand I would keep all the hand outs just in case until the final exams. Then recycle bin here I come!
July 13, 2012 - 12:01 pm
I have a wooden filing cabinet with a shredder next to my desk in the living room. I use the top drawer for my paperwork and the bottom for my son’s. It is priceless when my seventeen year old son says “I have no idea what I did with…” and I pull it out of a file. He is either so shocked or so annoyed depending on the day.
July 13, 2012 - 5:13 pm
I have a beautiful metal tray on my T.V. console that I put all the really important papers (field trips, etc.), a large handled paper bag that I put all the finished homework in (it lays neatly in order from the bottom up that I review at the end of the year), and one folder with things like the handbook, contact book, etc. The backback stays next to the door and any library books stay under it after reading it. A calendar is on the refrigerator and open to the current month. All dress uniforms, along with the white shirts under them, are hung on a three-tiered hanger on the back of the closet door. Shoes are arraned on the closet floor and rotated. The gym sneakers, only worn for gym, are nearby. I have a hanging tiered shelve that velcros to the closet bar that has folded pants with polos folded on top for winter. Next shelve has summer uniform shorts and gym uniforms. The bottom shelve has socks, tights, and ties for mass. Hope this helps anyone. Has worked for me for three years now!
July 13, 2012 - 5:24 pm
I am not a cluttered type of person,everything around me has purpose.I dont have too much decor in my house that is why its easy for me to clean the house and do dusting.In terms of papers its my routine to clean my drawer once a month and if i recieve a mail,i have a garbage beside of me so no need to stay the papers in the counter if i dont need it.Im glad that my husband and my three year old son follows the rules too.
July 16, 2012 - 1:19 pm
Virginia, you have mad skills!