Step1
Start with your school's newsletter. As your children age, they become less and less communicative about what's going on at their schools. Make a point to ask them for their newsletters every week so that you can be aware of happenings and changes in the school's schedule.
Step2
Keep all family information in one place. If you don't want to buy a fancy organizer, simply purchase a three ring binder and some open top page protectors to file away all information any family member might need. You can keep emergency phone chains, school directories, class information, sports schedules, extracurricular activity schedules and any other papers crucial to the running of your household inside. Keep it in one spot, perhaps near the telephone, so everyone knows exactly where it is at all times.
Step3
Scrap the address/telephone books. Instead, buy some inexpensive index cards and an index card file with alphabet dividers and enter all names, addresses, telephone and cell phone numbers, email addresses and important dates on them and file them alphabetically. This way, when friends or relatives move or have another child, you can just write a new card and file it again, with no messy cross outs and more room to write.
Step4
Buy stackable paper holders and make an inbox for each family member. Keep this in the kitchen and rather than make messy piles of paper for each person, just slide the papers into their own slots. They can empty them on their way upstairs and there's less chance of important papers getting lost or thrown out.
Step5
Schedule weekly meetings. Include the whole family and not just your spouse. Make this a standing appointment every week with a family calendar at the center of the table. Have everyone write down what's coming up for them that week. Everyone will be on the same page, literally, and it's a great opportunity to spend time together.
Step6
Keep springtime commitments to a minimum. For every parent of a school age child, the spring is busier than even the holiday season. Everyone is wrapping things up and calendars become inundated with recitals, concerts, plays and parties in addition to the regular schedule. Prioritize, and don't plan anything non-essential during these months.
Step7
Celebrate your successes. As you motivate yourself, and subsequently your family, to become more organized, treat everyone to some fun as a reward. When tasks are completed and the house runs smoothly, encourage more cooperation by planning a family game night, going to a movie or making an ice cream run.
