​We’re on a roll!  Let’s get going on today’s task.  Its supplies.  Don’t panic – I can hear the groans and see the eye rolls.  Images of harried mums and whining kids in the Staples aisles come to mind but don’t despair!
 
This is a pre-cursor to the actual hellish shopping experience.  Take 10 minutes to go through the house, art cupboard, desks that are now covered in stuffies and see what supplies you already have on hand.  Of course your children will want new stuff but often, depending on their ages, for some of it they may not care or notice.  Example, glue sticks.  See what kind of supplies booty you can put together. 
 
Ask your kids if they know of anything stashed away that can be used or if anything from last year is still useable.  Depending on the child and age, geometry sets, binders etc may still be good for another year.
 
Keep adding to your master list as you realise the needs.  You probably won’t have a complete list until next week from their specific teacher but at least knowing what you already have will help you feel more in control and ready for a quick shop to complete the gaps.
 
Here are some items you may want to include in your list that the teacher won’t specify but may make your life easier:
 
Water bottle (extra one)
Lunch containers
Lunch kit
Backpack
Transit pass (buy ahead this week or online)
 
Please add other items you think of in the comments!
 
See you tomorrow!

Ok, we’re in full swing now.  Today is about the tomorrow box/la boîte de demain.  Planning for the next day is crucial to a calm morning.  How many mornings would you describe as calm?  -Exactly.
 
Choosing the outfit for the next day helps you cross one more decision off your to do list before the day runs away from you.  Children benefit from structure and routine.  This is not a cliché, it’s true.
 
Think about the layout of their rooms, the way they move and get ready before school.  Where would it make sense to have a tomorrow box?  Not in the middle of the floor, not where they can’t reach it and have to ask for your help.  The point is to simplify the morning madness not add to it.
 
There is a dual purpose to the tomorrow box.  Firstly, to help your children prep for the next day but not be overwhelmed.  They become a little more independent with your guidance.  They learn how to take  into consideration the weather and planned activities of the next day. 
Secondly, in the morning they are able to get dressed without a lot of questions, help and delay.  They feel in control and ready to move onto the next task.
 
This in no way requires you to go shopping for a tomorrow box.  Use a box, basket, bag, shelf or drawer that you already have available.  The important bit is for it to always be in the same place and for nothing else to invade the designated space.
 
This task is fairly straight forward and short so if you need to fine tune a few details from yesterday (Task 1) then you will only be doing your future self a favour!
 
Photos and Comments are always welcome!

​This is it – the moment you’ve all been waiting for – back to school is here or as the French say ‘la rentrée’!  I actually dread back to school, I like having my babies with me but of course they need the routine too.  And so, as we get ready to take on the new school year let’s not make it a hyper, stressful, ridiculous endeavour.  The last week of summer hols should be just that – hols, not a panicked race for school supplies and mad cleaning, crazy planning etc.
 
Before we begin please have on hand a list maker – either pen and paper or your phone.  Something you won’t forget at home and that you can add to throughout our time together this week.
 
One task a day to help us on our way.  Day 1 is Clothing.  Today take some time to go through your children’s closet and dresser.  Remove all stained, damaged and too small clothing.  Also, let go of anything that for whatever reason they don’t wear.  Some kids are sensitive to styles, textures, collars etc.  Let it bless someone else.  Straight into the donate bag and into your car.  This includes footwear and winter gear.  This may require a try-on session with your kids which is why it may take the better part of the day!
 
Once these are gone from the wardrobe space let’s look at what we’ve got left and how many of each item is left.  Let’s be reasonable, how many pairs of socks, undies, shorts, hoodies etc are necessary?  If the drawers don’t close easily than you still have too much and must choose your favourites.  If your child cannot easily access their clothing they will most likely not put it away as it’s too much of a chore.  Help yourself here.  Most children need enough for 10 days as you will do washing regularly so no need to stockpile clothing.
 
Keep a list of what items you need to pick up to complete their outfits.  Write the sizes needed as well.  I would suggest detailing which child said item is for.  Once you’re in the store or online shopping the less thinking required the better.
 
If you have a reserve of energy left after this clear out then start shopping but only for the items on your list.  Online shopping is a great convenience and saves money as you are not tempted by the deals along the way.  This is not a race though – marketing makes us feel that if all is not done by day 1 of school then we have failed.  Enough is enough!  Time wise, sanity wise and money wise this may take awhile.  Let it.
 
Let us know how you do!

You are hyped, motivated and raring to go.  And so it begins…you binge purge, exhaust yourself and eventually give up and watch Netflix while silently beating yourself up for being such a failure at something so simple.
 
Sound familiar?!
 
This is a recurring scenario that I encounter with clients who then call me to help them with their unrealistic and incredibly damaging expectations.
 
It’s great if you decide you would like to reduce or organise your possessions.  That is a positive and soul strengthening pursuit.  However, as with everything – the success lies in the planning.
 
I am talking about mental planning here.  Deciding to completely revamp your lifestyle in a weekend – Reasonable?  Sustainable?  Kind?
 
Reasonable – it is a rare circumstance that allows you to dedicate one complete weekend to decluttering or organising unless it’s an extreme situation.  It’s also more than likely that one weekend will not get you through your entire home. 
 
Start with a manageable time frame and project.  Depending on your life right now maybe 1 hour is your max.  Fine.  Take that hour and choose a task that can be completed within that window.  End.  Repeat at another time with the same guidelines.
 
Sustainable – so you get through the mammoth task of decluttering and organising a given space, how long will it last?  Life is for the living so, of course every space requires tweaking but as well as that it demands setting yourself up for success.  Does the end result belong in a magazine photo shoot (which isn’t real life, as you know) which in my experience usually lasts approx less than a week or is it a set up that works with your life daily?
 
Kind – are you being kind to yourself with the process you are imposing on yourself?  Is your timeline another stress you’ve just added to the already existing stressors in your life?  If your best friend was doing this would you point out to them that perhaps they are being too hard on themselves?  Try treating yourself like you would your bestie. 
 
Recap – if you indulge in a mental high of transformation that really only works on TV then you will be discouraged and do yourself harm.  Take the process and go through it with the desire to learn and create a habit of managing your space.  Life comes in layers and managing our space is the same.  One layer at a time. 

I wish you success!