Gathering your kids from their various activities at the end of the day is tough enough; what makes it even harder is tripping over the avalanche of backpacks, papers, sports gear, and shoes that pile up as soon as you walk through the door. A few simple changes can help you regain control of your entryway and keep the after-school avalanche at bay.

Create a Drop Zone

Schools have easy to reach coat racks and long bays of lockers for a reason. Teachers know that helping kids manage their stuff is critical for a smooth transition from home to school. Follow their lead by creating a drop zone within your home where each of your children has a dedicated area for backpacks, jackets, and shoes. If you don’t have a mudroom wall to work with, consider revamping your hall closet. Ditch the hangers and install several rows of sturdy hooks at varying heights for backpacks and jackets. Attach a clear hanging shoe organizer to the door to catch shoes, sports supplies, and cold weather gear.

Free Up The Fridge

Each day our kids come home with binders full of papers for us to review. Newsletters, volunteer requests, homework notices… somehow we’re expected to manage it all. Get control of the paperwork by picking up a simple file organizer from your local office supply store. Label the first section “Must See,” the second “FYI,” and the third “Brag Box.” Papers that need signatures or involve immediate action go in “Must See.” Newsletters and PTA notices go in “FYI.” Art projects and graded papers go to the “Brag Box.” Magnetic versions are perfect for the fridge. Wall-mounted styles work well on mudroom walls or inside entry doors.

Keep It Together

When it’s time for practice, are your kids digging through baskets and dumping our drawer to find everything they need? A simple set of lingerie bags may be just the solution you’re looking for. After the kids come home from dance class or soccer practice, have them put all their clothing into one of these large mesh bags before they toss it into the hamper. When laundry day comes around, simply add the entire bag to your load. Once it’s dry, have your kids add the bag to their weekly clothing organizer or clip the bags to the wall in your mudroom for easy access.

*This post is an excerpt from an article published by Organize Magazine, Sept/Oct 2007, Volume 02, pg 42-49, written by Maria Eckersley, photos by Lanola Kathleen Stone.