CENTRALIZE.

• Designate one place as your command center. Make sure it’s a spot that doesn’t interfere with normal kitchen activities. Include a flat surface area, some wall space and a drawer if possible.
• Dedicate the space to managing the activities of the household, such as kids’ school, sports and extracurricular activities, family schedules, and neighborhood, church or community events.
• Include a master calendar where all of the family members’ activities can be seen at once. A white board for writing messages is helpful, too.
• Make the command center the landing place for incoming mail and activities paperwork. Be sure all family members put their schedules, invitations, registration and order forms, assignment lists and other activity-related materials here.

CATEGORIZE.

• Review any mail and new papers daily. Keep bills separated from activity materials. Reserve the command center for managing schedules and upcoming activities only.
• Sort the activity paperwork into groups for each family member. Write important dates on the master calendar.
• Use a Poly Frequency Expanding File to hold all activity materials. Use different pockets to hold materials for each activity. Write the person’s name and the activity on the tab inserts. Use a different color insert for each family member for quick identification.
• Use multiple pockets to divide children’s activities into school, sports and extracurricular activities.
• Keep the Poly Frequency Expanding File on the counter where it’s easily visible and accessible. Rugged poly material and a protective flap make it portable and secure.

UTILIZE.

• Check the calendar daily to stay aware of upcoming events. Look ahead a few days to make sure you are on track for all scheduled activities.
• Review the materials in each person’s activity pockets every day for any paperwork that pertains to the events on the calendar. Fill out any forms that need to be turned in. Include payments if needed.
• Keep the command center uncluttered. Do not store papers permanently in the expanding file. Discard or file materials that are no longer important for an upcoming event.

1. Poly Frequency Expanding File