Organize Multiple Children and School Efficiently

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I am so thrilled to share with you a system that our family has used for several years now that has totally changed how our home runs.

 

 

 

 

I have three school aged children and between them all I lose my marbles halfway through the year with all the paperwork as it is.  If this system was not in place, I truly don't know how things would get done.

 

 

 

Two years ago I shared our Command Center that you can check out here.  Since we recently added 1,000 Sq Ft to our home, I decided to make a much larger and more functional space for our system.

 

 

 

In our family room we have a space that we consider the kids command center.  There are two dry erase calendars that provide a look ahead month for sports as well as school schedules. You can get them here.

It's very nice to know what days they have off of school, or when field trips are and not have to pull out a calendar and flip pages for this info.  When the first month is over, we wipe it clean and rotate the calendar positions on the wall.

 

Below the calendars are hooks for each of the kids to hang their backpacks on. 

 

My kids are dialed into the routine of walking in the door and hanging backpacks up. It is also nice not to search for backpacks in the morning.  And makes it easy when Mom wants to drop sweet notes inside each of them.

 

 

 

To the left of the calendars we have a bucket that holds all of the dry erase and wet erase pens we use on these.  The kids also know that those markers do not ever leave that location and are only to be used on the calendars. 

Just below that we mounted an old school pencil sharpener just so we never have to search the house for those small ones again.

 

 

 

Mounted on the side of the locker are their chore charts.  Head over to The 36th Avenue to find free printable chore charts just like these.

 

 

To the left of the lockers are these fun metal "wall pockets" from Pottery Barn that have each child's name on them, and the bottom one is labeled recycle. You can find similar ones here on Amazon.

 

 

Each Friday the kids clean out their backpacks of school work that has been graded and places it in their wall pocket.  Any promotional fliers or notices that we have read get placed in the recycle pocket.

 

 

Throughout the year I pull their school work from the pockets and place them in storage containers labeled for that school year.  I have done this since our oldest was in pre-school, and will continue all the way through high school.  You can get a 6 pack of these storage totes here really inexpensive!

 

 

 

They each have scrapbooks where report cards, class pictures, sports pictures and awards will eventually end up.  The rest will be there for them to look at as they get older.

 

 

 

Moving over to the other side of the family room we have a small nook that leads to the master bedroom towards the back of the house. 

This is where we have set up a homework station/blogging desk.  Yep that's where I blog.  Not super fancy, but functional and perfect for the time being.

 

 

The kids have art supplies in the storage drawers that they can use anytime they want.

 

 

 

On the shelves are their homework boxes that you may have seen in my previous command center post.  All three of them each have their own.

 

 

Inside you will find supplies that may be needed to complete any homework they are sent home with.  These have been a lifesaver and eliminate a lot of arguing over who took who's supplies.  You can find similar boxes here.

 

 

On the wall opposite of the desk they each have a clipboard with their name on it. 

 

 

This is where they place homework that may need to be done throughout the week.  Our kids are still young and have a reading log that needs to be filled out daily and turned in weekly, so that too lives on the respective clipboard. 

 

Other things we place on here are picture forms, fundraiser information and anything else that will be completed or turned in in the near future.

 

 

That's it!  Simple yet functional organization!  My kids love having structure and this is what our command center provides.

Thank you to my readers for stopping by today.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest, and you can find me on Instagram @OneThriftyChick.

Come Join me weekly at the following Parties:

 

Monday: I should be mopping the floor, Home Stories A to Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, Carrie this home, 

                Mad in Crafts

Tuesday:  The DIY Dreamer, The Winthrop Chronicles, Thrifty Décor Chick

Wednesday: Gingersnap Crafts,

Thursday: A Glimpse Inside, The Pin Junkie, The Answer is Chocolate, Imparting Grace

Friday: Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, The Crafted Sparrow , Tatertots & Jello, Just Us Four, The Pin Junkie, My Turn For Us

Saturday: I heart Naptime,  Flamingo Toes, Sew Many Ways,

Organizing 3 Children {sports and command center}

Hello my awesome Readers!

Today I am going to share with you a system I have created for our home in hopes of smooth sailing this school year.

As of July we now have our sweet nephew back in our home, and couldn't be happier.  With that brings one more backpack, lunch box, homework, sports schedule and the list goes on.

I was determined to find a system that would act a a glue to keep it all together, without breaking the bank!

Lets take a look!

 This is the hub!  I purchased the sheet of whiteboard from Home Depot, and cut out the calendar grids using my Cricut and black vinyl.

I wanted to have 3 months at a glance to help plan all year long.  

Each child was assigned a color.  Oldest son is blue, Daughter is red and youngest is green. 

 Now that may sound a tad institutional to many, however it is pure bliss to me!!

Each child has their own clipboard which is where we place any homework, or papers that need to be completed.  The brown (now white) clipboard is where we place any other "notes" or reference sheets for the family such as fundraisers.

They each have a hook for their backpack placed directly under their clipboard, and this has really helped cut down the backpack, coat and helmet clutter by the front door.

Each family member has their own color markers for the calendar as well.  This way I know who has practice or cheer each day along with field trips, PE and Library days, when homework is due, doctors appoints and so on.  Trust me, it works!!

Here is a more recent picture of it in full swing.  The calendar is filling up, along with their papers on their to do clipboards.

Now onto the next part of my system!

Right when you walk into our house we have our "drop zone".  A place to hang keys, drop shoes and mail.  It's always been there, however this year it got a little makeover.

The metal wall pockets have always been used for the children's homework, but this year it is for completed school work only.  Yes I am that mom who saves it all, and yes it's all nicely organized in labeled totes.

I purchased 3 Martha Stewart document boxes at Staples, and have created homework kits.  One for each child.

 Inside of each box has everything they will need to complete any homework they may have.  This was my way of creating less chaos at night when someone needs a pencil, or a pair of scissors.

 I even took it as far as getting color coded pencil grips.  My children love to use these, and this way we will always know who a stray pencil belongs to.

Down below in the baskets I have created a place for each child's sports gear.  We have two boys in soccer and our daughter is in competitive cheer.  Thus meaning we are constantly scrambling for shorts, cleats, water bottles, socks and more....

 Each drawer has everything they need.  No more searching!  And so far they have been great at coming home from practice and games and placing those items back in the basket.

And lastly I purchased the new Martha Stewart wall system to organize mail, coupons, receipts and any notes my husband and I may need. The jars that we crated at craft club are now used for glasses/sunglasses and spare change!

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of this mom's newly organized system!  Be sure to leave me some comment love!

Don't forget to come see where I like to party all week long, just click here.

A Moment for the Children... {update on Gage}

On February 2nd, Allen and I had the biggest meeting of the year, maybe even our lives.  It was to go over the Special Education testing results and to see what plan was going to fit our child best.

I did not sleep well the night before, and that day I felt I needed to express to all of my followers and friends (YOU!) what I was going through.  As a mom (many of you can relate) it was one of the most fearful days of my life.  Was my child different?  Did I do something wrong in raising him?  Is he not as smart as all the other kids?  Would he be made fun of?  The fear was filling my brain and it was tearing my heart into pieces. 

But, I did what I had to do.  Swallowed my pride and walked into that room filled with familiar and unfamiliar faces.  At a big conference table sat, Myself, Allen, the Special Education Coordinator (she has been my saving grace, and an amazing advocate), The Title1 reading specialist, his current teacher, the speech therapist, and the special education teacher.  The principal unfortunately could not make the meeting, however I wish she had!

I think Allen was actually more nervous that I was.  I have met with most of these ladies on previous occasions, just never for this big reason.  As we started to go over the test scores, Allen grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed it tightly.  It was then that I felt at ease.  He was there for me, and would be there no matter what was said.  I knew that already, but trust me, that hand meant the world just at that moment.

Our advocate went over many test results, one at a time.  And I kept hearing "He is above average" or "he is not in the area of concern"  As I type this post, I am fighting back the tears.  My son has been through too much this year to have results like this.  How can this be?  His teacher was SURE he had a learning disability.  As she kept going I kept hearing positive comments from the specialists in the room on his work samples.  You mean I have a "normal" 3rd grade boy?!?

The final outcome was NO our son does not qualify for special education services, and does not even come close to being below average!  And he does NOT need speech therapy.  Which, I must say, I knew.  But again, the teacher was sure he needed it.

So, now what?  Well he is still on his meds that have done great things.  However, he is still not staying focused in class.  He is full of energy,and lately has been having a few anger fits at home.  These worry me, because they have not been the normal temper tantrum.  So this Friday we go back to the pediatricians office to see if we should try another medication.  But again, this will come with horrible side effects that we must prepare ourselves for.

I feel like we are on the home stretch!!  I want to say thank you to everyone for the sweet comments,and the prayers.  They are helping me through each day.  Truly!

Now onto something else that has really been a big part of me........ 

Most of you know me as Jenn, who is addicted to blogs.  If you only know me as One Thrifty Chick, then you now know something new today!

I have been a blog follower for a few years now, and over the years I have come across some amazing people.  There are a few of them that need your prayers!

James and Kellie Staats lost their baby girl Maddie to SIDS at 4 months of age last February.  They are now expecting their precious little boy named Jackson, and will need many prayers as they reach the one year angelversary of their precious Maddie.  You can click on their names or the picture below to go to their blog. 

Next up is Kendra and Ryan Webster.  They too lost their baby girl Makenzie at 4 1/2 months due to a rare medical condition.  Kendra is pregnant again, after trying for so long, and has not been feeling well lately, and needs some prayers.  Go visit their page, oh and listen to the music she has picked for her  player.  I listen to it everyday, and it has helped me in soooo many ways!

The last one for today is the King Family.  Mom Lisa has been through so much in the last 4 months.  They lost their little boy Noah on the 8th of October to medical complications he had faced since birth.  Then on the 26th of January, Lisa lost her husband and her best friend of a sudden heart attack.  Please take the time to visit her blog and leave her some words of encouragement. 

Although I have been through my own struggles, I find it important to take time out of my day to show support of others who have been faced with their own struggles.

And to end this bittersweet blog post, here is a video with an amazing song that fits how I am feeling about my little boy right now!

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs to you All!

Life's Hard Choices... {a cry for help}

Did I get you with that title??  First I want to start with saying that I have been MIA from the blog for GREAT reasons!!  I went to Las Vegas for 5 days with my husband, Mom and Dad!  Our very first true vacation with no kids!!

Once we got back I realized I had sooo much to do, and the blog just had to wait.  I have so many posts lined up, and all sorts of projects in the works that I cannot wait to share with you!!

Today I wanted to share a story with you all that has been a giant hurdle for our family this year.  Also, today is the day we make the final decision.... (please pray for me will you?)

It starts with this little boy.......... 

Meet Gage:

He has always been such a happy, yet reserved child.  He worries about everything, and does not like to take risks.  This is a child that gets worried when driving over bridges or down steep hills.  Love him to pieces!

We never thought it was an issue as he grew up, however he also does not like to go into public places, or even to a park if there are too many kids.  He has always slept with his sister.  Even when she was a baby, we would find him curled up on the floor in front of her crib.  It was so sweet at the time, and to this day he likes to sleep in her room.  Good thing she has a trundle bed!

We had asked our pediatrician about it in the past and he reassured us that he was going through a "phase".  Yes all kids go through them, some worse than others.  When Gage started school he never had any problems all the way through the second grade.  He did need help with reading, but once he was placed in a program, he excelled all year long!

We had no idea that this year would bring a whole new ballgame, and a mass heartbreak.  It started about 2 weeks into the school year.  

His teacher asked me to come in and talk about Gage.  She brought to my attention that he was having a hard time doing anything in class, and not paying attention.  She also told me that she found he has a speech impediment.  Her suggestion was to see our pediatrician and talk about medications. (although she did not directly say medication, she said everything that comes along with that) 

As a mom this all came as a huge shock, being that he has been in this school for 3 years now and never had any problems.

I took a few days to process everything that was said, and even talked to some friends of mine that are teachers as well.  I decided I needed a second opinion and also to have the principal involved.  And I did just that.  She talked to the teacher, and things quieted down for about 3 weeks.  Then came the parent teacher conference....

I had no clue what was about to hit.  Things were said that may have caused my jaw to drop to the floor.  I wont go into detail, however to sum it up, my son was now not able to do anything in her classroom.  Even the basics of school.  But now, he has a learning disability.... so she is claiming.  She also informed me that my son had been moved to a new location at the front of the classroom with an empty "buffer" desk between him and the other kids.  His desk had also been turned around so that he would not fiddle with anything inside of it.

Don't get me wrong.  I am all for finding ways to keep children focused in class, but this was all being done the wrong way, and with horrible communication.  I could talk for hours about the negatives here, but I am trying to stay on the point.

At this point we agreed to have him tested for Special Education as she had suggested, and we also had agreed to see our pediatrician.

During the next few months Gage was having emotional breakdowns in the morning, and even physically trying to make himself sink in order to avoid school.  We would spend a number of mornings sitting in the office just to calm him down.  My gut told me that this was not right.

Two months went by and we were nearing Christmas break.  Gage wanted to take me into his classroom to show me the salmon eggs that were hatching, and while in there he said "oh mom, I had to move again, that's where I sit now" as he pointed to his desk, I felt this sense of anger and disgust fill my body.  She had now moved my child to his own "island" in the front of the classroom, still turned around.   Keep in mind that all of the desks are connected to each other, except my child!  This has now been taken too far.

I went home again, talked to my husband, talked to the principal and asked Gage how this made him feel, and wouldn't ya know it.... NOT GOOD!  He felt embarrassed, humiliated and confused.  He said he just wanted another chance to sit with the other kids.  But no such luck. 

Over the Christmas break we had contemplated taking Gage out of that classroom, and placing him in another classroom, but the Principal had urged us to give it another try after the break.  We had plans to see our pediatrician on the 5th of January, and so we had decided to stick with it.

January 5th came, and it was a very emotional yet informative day.  We sat down and talked about it all.  And Gage was diagnosed with Child Anxiety in the form of Social Phobia.  What?   As he explained it, it all made sense.  Why did I not catch this sooner?  Why is it so elevated this year at school?  Well his school merged with another school which brought it over 200 new kids, and a bunch of new teachers, one of which was his.

This poor child is suffering and I did not even know it. I felt much less of a mother, but my husband was right there to pick me up off the floor and reassure me I am a great mother and have done all I can for my child.

Then came the talk of all talks.... medication.  My heart sank, as I held back the tears.  We talked about many kinds and decided to go with Zoloft.  This terrified me, I know as an adult how strong that drug is, and I am supposed to give it to my child?  He told us to give it 3 weeks for his blood levels to even out... so we did it.

I was terrified of the possible side effects, and having to explain to our daughter what her brother would be going through.  At this time I went to the school and said exactly what the doctor had said and that we had another 3 weeks to wait. I explained the side effects and how important it is to pay attention to his behavior and to let me know right away if anything seemed off.

Well luck would have it.. at the end of week ONE, yes ONE week his teacher pulled me aside in the front of the school (in front of other people) and let me have it.  Told me my son made her feel like a failure as a teacher, she had the worst day, actually week ever.  He had horrible behavior, yet she never sent him to the principals office.  The last straw for me was this comment "When he comes in next week, he will be moving back to his "island".  I know this will not help his anxiety, but I have no other choice."  

Excuse me?!?!?  I have another choice!  Well I kept my cool, and waited until I got in the car to let out my tears.  Did she really just do that?  She couldn't have waited, or maybe nicely told me he had a rough week?  And now she wants to dis-regard his medical diagnosis for her own good?

As you can tell, I was D.O.N.E with this teacher.  The following day was my birthday, and my children were headed to my parents for the weekend.  But I was so upset that I spent most of the time in tears wondering where to turn to next.

Luckily for me, it was a three day weekend, so I had time to think.  We had come to the decision to yank him and I mean YANK from her classroom.  I sat down to my computer and drafted an e-mail to the principal wiping many tears as I typed.  I had to take breaks along the way, just to re-gain composure.  

My exact words were "He will not be returning to school until he is placed in another classroom"  and low and behold, Tuesday morning, he did not go to school.  I was not willing to put him through this any longer.  I now knew that my gut feeling was right all along.  I felt horrible for not acting sooner.

I got a call from the Principal that afternoon, and right away he was moved!  His new teacher is WONDERFUL and so positive.  I know my son may have a few problems, but being negative will only make things worse.

Today is the day we meet to discuss the options for an IEP or a 504.  These will be specialized education plans for him to help him get back into the 3rd grade groove.  This has been the hardest journey with school so far.

So many times I was asking myself, how did this happen?  What am I doing wrong?  Part of me now thinks it's not me.....

Now the questions for you all are:  Have you been through this?  Am I doing something wrong?  What would you do?

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I would love prayers or even good thoughts sent our way, it may be a rough night.

I promise to be back soon with some new crafty fun!!!