The End-of-Year Mistakes before Summer Holidays that could cost you time, money and stress!

I know, I know, it feels a long way from the summer holidays but these next few weeks are mayhem!

Here are a few things to avoid and tips to stay sane, keep organised and enjoy your time before the children are at home for full weeks.

Not keeping up the weekly routines

I get it, it is sunny outside (currently) and its easy to say, I'll do that tomorrow or I'll wing it, but the laundry keeps on piling and the uniforms still need putting out.

As much as you can, keep the routines going until the end of term:

• bedtime

• bath time

• mealtime

• reading routine

• homework routine

Children thrive on routine and certainty.

Hallway hindrance instead of help

Shoes piled up, their winter coats still hanging and a random wellie to boot. Instead, create a space in the hallway for those last minute grabs:

• sunglasses

• sun cream

• fans (do they need charging?)

• have their school bags ready to go.

• snack

• the correct shoes ready to pop on and out the door

  
  

Calendar Kerfuffle

Sports day, class parties, MUFTI days, summer fair, end-of-year assemblies...I could go on. Try to reduce confusion with a shared calendar with all the children's activities and the different schools. Even better if you include the kids in on it- a whiteboard on the fridge or a poster on the door.

Can we Cool Down?

Get into the habit of putting full water bottles in the fridge before bed, this way, in the morning, they just grab and go.

Freeze ice to take on the school run as a way to stay refreshed on the walk home. I take them in a thermos and hand one out each every few hundred metres. They can suck them, rub them on their wrists or put them under their hat for even more relief. I got this trick when I ran the hottest London Marathon on record. (And then get rid of those bottles that leak all the time)

Deferring Decluttering

There are bits of uniform that don't fit them, the winter uniform definitely will not fit next Christmas. Keeping them makes it harder to organise everything.

This is the perfect time to give them to a parent with younger/smaller children and MAKE A LIST of what you need to replace in August, ready for the new term. Children going up a year? great! Pass down from older siblings, if not, is there a parent whose child is bigger than yours?

Children moving schools? If you do have to buy new uniform, plan a date to do this so you are not rushing in the last week of the holidays. Always buy slightly bigger than they need to compensate for that inevitable growth spurt they'll have.

Meaningless Mementos

You're children are going to come home with books and artwork from the last term.

Not all of it needs to be kept!

Choose some special pieces to keep and take photos of the rest.

Then let them go.

Then go back through your photos and delete any duplicates because digital clutter also costs you money!

I hope you have a wonderful last half- term before the Summer Holidays, and some of these tips help. If you're feeling overwhelmed, book a free consultation and I will help you get your rooms and routines organised.

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