Controlling Kids' School Paperwork

School paperwork kinda makes me bonkers. Not only does my first grader bring home reams of papers every night, my three-day-a-week preschooler isn't far behind him. I have a large Rubbermaid tub where I file the *special* items that I want to keep forever. And I've shown you my kids' artwork display which lots of things end up on, too. But, oh that paperwork...the random notes, the ongoing stuff and book orders galore. My fridge magnets can only take so much!

I hosted a Willow House catalog party last month and used some of my hostess rewards to purchase these two baskets. They showed them in the catalog with fruits and vegetables. But, I knew right away what I wanted them for.

I hung them on the wall in my kitchen and labeled them (with a chalkboard marker and another Willow House label thingy) with each child's name. My boys love that they have their names on them. It really helps them take ownership.

I grabbed a few file folders (I love the recycled ones...the color is nice & not-so-officey). These are the categories that work best for us. At the end of the month, I clean everything out. Everything that needs to be a keepsake goes in that Rubbermaid, everything else {secretly...when everyone's sleeping} goes into the circular file/recycingbin. ;)

I let my kids empty their "Take-Home Folders" everyday into these...so they may not be as tidy as they would be if I did it. But, letting them do this themselves is super important to me. I want this to be a working and learning activity as well (always nice to raise little organized people, right?).

So far, this has worked out great for us! What do you do with all of your kids' school papers?

If you're interested in these particular baskets, I know a couple of sweet friends that sell Willowhouse. Let me know and I'll put you in touch with them.









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