Continued from Page 111. Set up some house rules to help develop non- procrastinating habits. Examples:
• No after-school snack (or computer games, phone calls, TV, or whatever their routine is) until jackets, books, backpacks are put where they belong
• No TV, games or time with friends at homework time till everything is complete, done well and ready to be turned in
• No going out or time with friends till chores are complete
• If there is chaos getting ready in the morning, then they need to get up earlier which means they have to go to bed earlier.
This system means that THEY have control over when they can play or relax. No arguments: If they want to go out, you ask if homework is done. If not, they know the answer. They will "test" at first to see if rules are real. After a while, children will accept new rules in the house.
12. Ask your child to tell you what are her main causes of frustration at school. Then TOGETHER do some creative problem-solving. Forget to do homework? Buy a special little notebook to write down homework assignments. Can't stay focused on homework? Break homework time into several shorter sessions instead of one long one. Can't get motivated to start on homework? Set a certain time aside for homework with no distractions and everyone settles down at the same time.
13. Go through their closets with them and eliminate clothes they no longer wear. Toss out items that are too stained, ripped or broken to fix. Donate the good stuff that your child has outgrown or just doesn't wear anymore. Pack away sentimental items that they never wear but cannot throw out -- don't let that old scout uniform or outfit they wore in a wedding take up valuable closet space now.
14. If you buy new clothes or shoes for school, help your children make room for them so they won't have to struggle to cram clothes into too-full closets or drawers.
Rita Emmett, author of 'The Clutter-Busting Handbook,' is a "Recovered Pack Rat" and professional speaker. She can be reached at 847-699-9950 and e-mail is Rita@RitaEmmett.com.
To subscribe to her free monthly "Anticrastination Tip Sheet" with quick short tips & ideas to help break the procrastination habit, go to the first page of her Web site www.RitaEmmett.com. 
