SUPPLIES FOR KEEPING LIFE TOGETHER
I use one of these hidden inside my living room chest to hold the year’s completed schoolwork folders for each child, as they complete it. These also go nicely into a closet – anywhere with easy access. A strategically placed hanging folder box keeps all of the prolific papers at bay, and means that at the end of the year, almost everything is already boxed, and ready to be stored.
Also, in our home, each child has one hanging folder box that is filled with hanging folders pre-labelled “newborn” through “18 years.” This is where I file away keepsakes and photos into the appropriate folder as they come in.
These are by far the easiest way to collect samples of school work throughout the year. I keep one folder per child labelled with their name and school year. I simply keep those folders in the hanging folder box (see above), and put any completed work we want to keep in the correct child’s folder. Then, I call it done! I just had to order more, and while I was waiting, I realized just how valuable these folders are to managing our schoolwork clutter!
I like being able to keep all my business, homemaking, and school plans in one place. I have spent bundles on teacher planners and pre-planned agenda products that I thought I could adjust to incorporate all of my needs. In reality, bullet journals have been the only way that works. Here is a video about the basics bullet journals if you’re new to the idea. My bullet journal has sections for meal plans, shopping lists, school schedules, book lists, business notes, inspiration, and more. Some people make their bullet journals artistic and fancy – I don’t. Mine is pretty bland compared to what you might find out there, and I’m perfectly happy with it.
>>Read More: How I spiral notebook (bullet journal) schedule our homeschool. Spiral Notebook planning SIMPLIFIED.
Erasable Colored Ball-Point Pens
If you want to keep everything organized and flexible, I highly recommend some erasable pens. These are my favorites because they erase really well, and come in several colors! They are a tad pricey, but a pack lasts me about a year.
BOOKS FOR THE PARENT-TEACHER
Can I recommend my own book? I wrote it in an effort to help other homeschoolers simplify in order to focus on what is most important. Is that you?
“The House that Cleans Itself” is the best book that I have found for streamlining your home so that cleaning is easier, and reduced. Practical tips from start to finish make it easy to implement.
“Smart Couples Finish Rich” is an awesome values-based financial planning guide for couples. This author also offers other books in the same series like “Smart Women Finish Rich” and “Start Late, Finish Rich.” All of the books make very practical gifts.
“Simplicity Parenting” is the expert’s guide to giving your children the gift of a simple childhood. The author has a long history of working with families and children, and offers anecdotal stories alongside his practical advice. This is a more dense book, but reading even one chapter will change the way you approach childhood in your home.
The following 3 books are excellent Christian reads on the value of our time, and how to use it to best serve ourselves, and others. I highly recommend all 3 for time management encouragement.
Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung
Where to next?
Here are some other ways I can help you cut the clutter and overwhelm:
- Listen to the Simple is the New Smart Podcast for bite-sized pieces of keeping you rhomeschool – and life – simple and intentional.
- Grab your Free Resources so that you can get started adding focus and value now, right where you are..
- Join me inside the Simple is the New Smart Membership to learn how to simplify, add focus and create the meaningful homeschool that you imagine.
