Welcome to summer!  It feels good to relax the schedule a bit and hopefully take some time off.  For the season of sun and sand, here are a few tips for keeping things organized without going overboard:

1. Keep a bucket, basket, or bag by the front door with all of your beach, pool, or picnic essentials.  Sun lotion, bug spray, flip flops, sun hat, cameras, towels or big beach blankets, & small snacks.

2.When grilling, double the portion and save the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner.

3. Use a rainy or cloudy day to go through last year’s school papers and artwork with your children.  Save your favorite examples of their work – frame or display some of them and keep others in a memorabilia or keepsake box.  Or, use clear plastic sheets inside a three ring binder to organize the papers by school year.

4. Try a ‘Ten Minute Tidy’ – One of my clients coined this term for doing a quick, ten minute pick up at the end of the day.  You’d be surprised how many items can be returned to their proper ‘home’ if everyone in the family ends their day participating in this routine for a quick pick up.