Routine help pleeeease

[Muuuuuuumcanihave]

Dcs are due back at school in 3weeks. I realy need a fresh start. I dont want to carry on being so unorganised, im the one that forgets to hand reply slips in or im rushing back to school with pe kits. Ds is starting junior school so will have more kits and proper homework. I dont want to mess this up for him. So i need tips on getting organised, he also wants a packed lunch rather than school dinners so i need ideas please!! I have an iphone so if any of you use any apps please tell me TIA

I try to plan on Sundays for the next five days. So I think 5 lunches, 5 outfits, 5 clean pairs of underwear etc.
I bulk buy snacks that the kids like. I also make sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them. With homework I like to have a printed calender on the fridge that I'll write all assignments on. With permission/reply slips I take care of it as soon as I receive it. I really feel that having a routine makes things go so much better. School bags get checked everyday then placed by the door when homework's complete.
Stock up on extra socks and underwear. There's nothing worse then running around in the morning scrambling to look for something to wear. I use 'Note's and 'Reminders' on my iphone.
When the kids come home with PE/karate gear or whatever I wash it right away and put in straight back in the bag. The bags are kept in the hallway closet. I find that by taking care of things immediately I save so much time.

How old is junior school? By the time DS was 9 I was pushing him to be responsible for things like slips and PE kits, and I'm pretty slack about chores. I haven't fished through a school bag or pockets for years. If it isn't handed to handed to me to sign, it doesn't get signed!

Have a family meeting on a Sunday to check what you need to know for the week - who needs to be where, birthday parties, events at school etc.

We use a family calendar - we have a column each and one for events and meal planning.

The biggest help is to get the kids to do as much as they can!

Ds turns 8 in november. Im so unorgansied and its rubbing off on dcs. My thinking is that if i get them used to a new routine then they will learn for themselves.

Meal planning is something i really need to learn i spend a fortune at the supermarket, but nothing to make meals from, just snacking crap.

Always get bags ready the night before.

I have a small group of mums whose kids are in the same class. If something is coming up we send a 'round robin' text to remind each other. Eg 'need money for zoo trip tomorrow'.

Hand any reply slips back in the next day do not lose them in the depths of the to do pile like I do

I meal plan a week in advance with a bit of flexibility, for example I will have a night that is 'from the freezer', therefor if we are out or get a take out it's no big deal. When I have the meal plan done I do a corresponding list of items I need then do an online shop. I regularly swap the various dinners around in a week depending on what is happening but at least I know I have the various items for particular dinners.

I try to remember to tell DH what is for tea just in case he is home before me, that way he can make a start on it.

All snacks are bought in multi packs so I can throw a packet into the lunch bag. I make sandwiches the night before and put them in the fridge - the key is remembering to take them out the next morning!

Good luck.

• get clothes out the night before

• make sandwiches night before. Fridge.

• look through freezer and meal plan
  Eg if you have chicken, buy noodles and veg for stir fry

• do homework on the same day ds gets it. Get into this routine.

• get ds to give you letters

• as soon as you get school newsletter write down dates on calendar

Meal plan

Chicken stir fry with noodles
Salmon with pesto, green beans, new potatoes
Pasta with bolognaise
Jacket potatoes with beans and cheese
Tuna pasta bake
Risotto
Sausage and mash

The app I use is called HomeRoutines and is mainly for housework but you can adapt it for your own needs. Eg for morning tasks you could set yourself reminders for all the things that need to be done before leaving the house etc.

I second putting dates on calendar / in diary as soon as you get the letter, so you don't forget them.

We meal plan by having a list of approx 25-30 meals which we rotate then I make the shopping list from the "menu" for that week, adding on any extras for the fridge / cupboard. That way you know what you're having each day then if anything needs to come out of the freezer it can be done in the morning and not turn into a blind panic every evening. (I speak from experience here )

I think you should find a set time for ds to do his homework every day, so he gets into the habit. This could be before tea or immediately after depending on your family circumstance. Dd is too young yet but when I was younger I'd get in from school, have a snack then do homework before having a family evening meal.

Yay i now have a calendar and a notice board.

Yes fresh thats a good idea about the homework will definatly do that.

Will have think re meals and have a go at meal planning for this week will also do internet shop (might save some money)

I really like the Priorities iPhone app!

I need to get organised this school year as ill have three children in three different schools!
Grateful for these tips!

I check book bag straight after school while children eat and sign permission slips straight away and put them in book bag. I text replies to party invitations during this time and take a photo of the invitation so I don't have to worry about losing it.

Packing bags is night before as Im a zombie in the morning.

Homework is always given on a set day and due on a set day. We do homework after breakfast on Saturday or Sunday depending on plans.

Reading and spelling practice is done after dinner (Monday to Thursday night)