Hey mama! If you’re staring at that growing pile of your kid’s schoolwork right now, this post is totally for you.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later! You’ll want to come back to these tips when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Some days, even thinking about organizing anything feels impossible. Like trying to run a marathon barefoot when you haven’t slept in weeks.
That pile of papers keeps whispering things like “You should be saving this!” and “You’re falling behind again.”
Ugh. We’ve all been there.
This isn’t some Pinterest-perfect scrapbook tutorial. It’s not about catching up or doing things the “right” way.
This is about super simple, low-energy ways to keep your kids’ school memories safe. Even when your brain feels like mush.
No guilt. No perfection. Just little wins that actually work with your ADHD brain.
Whether your kiddo has ADHD too or not, these tips will help you both breathe easier.
💡 13 Low-Energy Ways to Organize Kids’ School Memories (That Actually Work)
1. One Box = One Year Rule
I don’t have energy (or space) for 18 years of glitter pasta art.
So here’s my rule: one tote per kid, per school year. That’s it.
No overflow. No “maybe I’ll file this later.” If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay.
Simple boundary equals instant clarity.
2. Just 4 or 5 Sections (That’s It)
Forget color-coding by subject. You don’t need that stress.
Label a few folders:
- PreK/Kindergarten
- Elementary
- Middle
- High School
- “Other Keepsakes” (scouts, art camp, whatever)
Done. That’s your whole system.
3. The Drop Bin (Your New Best Friend)
Put a 9×12 bin somewhere easy. Entryway, closet, wherever works.
Tell your kid: “All school papers go in here after school.”
You don’t have to decide what to keep yet. Just catch the chaos before it spreads.
4. The Seasonal Swipe
When the bin overflows (or every 2-3 months if you remember), do a quick sort.
Toss the random math worksheets. Keep the funny story about the class hamster.
Call it good.
No deep emotional processing required. Just a five-minute sweep while you’re sitting on the floor anyway.
5. Make It a Summer Project (That You Don’t Do Alone)
At the end of the school year, give your kid their own keepsake tote.
Let them do the choosing. They can decorate it, label it, decide what’s worth keeping.
If they’re younger, sit with them. Sneak a peek before they toss that finger painting you secretly love.
This teaches ownership and saves your brain from making 84 tiny decisions.
6. Body Double the Boring Part
This trick saved my sanity. Do it with a friend, partner, or someone on FaceTime folding laundry.
Having another human nearby makes everything less soul-sucking.
ADHD brains love parallel play. Use it to your advantage.
7. Make It Easy on Your Eyes
Bright bins. Bold labels. Minimal options.
When stuff is visually clear and simple, I actually use the system. Instead of setting things “aside” on the counter for three months.
8. Add Icons to Labels
My tired brain doesn’t always register words when I’m running on empty.
So I label folders like this:
- “PreK 👶”
- “Art 🎨”
- “Other 🎒”
Little emoji visuals help me figure out what goes where. No extra thinking required.
9. Pre-Prep the Drop Zone
Take five minutes on Sunday night. Empty last week’s backpack and prep the bin.
If it’s already open and ready, I’m way more likely to use it. Even on days I’m crawling toward bedtime.
10. Keep a Toss Bag Nearby
When you’re sorting old papers, have a trash bag right next to you.
Don’t make a “maybe” pile. If it’s not special, toss it and don’t look back.
The less I second-guess myself, the more stuff actually leaves my house.
11. Set a 1-Minute Reminder (Not a Full Task)
I never remember to “organize school stuff.” Too vague, too overwhelming.
But a reminder like “Check the memory bin” or “Toss 3 things” is tiny enough that I’ll actually do it.
Pair it with something else: “After I pour coffee, I check the bin.” Done.
12. Let Go of the Scrapbook Guilt
Look, I wanted to make one of those gorgeous year-by-year albums too.
But when I realized I was holding onto that vision out of guilt (not joy), I gave myself permission to let it go.
Now the stuff I do keep actually gets seen. Not buried in a dusty to-do pile.
13. Celebrate the Little Wins
You tossed old math worksheets? Victory.
You set up one tote for your kid? Victory.
You didn’t cry while doing it? Super victory.
This isn’t about doing it all. It’s about showing up a little bit on your worst day and calling that a win.
💛 You Deserve Systems That Work on Burnout Days
These ideas aren’t just for chaotic days. They’re built FOR those days.
The foggy, overstimulated, I-just-can’t days.
Because ADHD or not, mom life is already loud. Add ADHD on top, and the clutter (physical AND mental) can feel impossible.
But it’s not impossible.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You just need one small system that makes sense when nothing else does.
So whether your kid has ADHD, whether you’re managing your own ADHD, or you just feel completely maxed out… these low-energy systems are for you.
They’re about letting go of pressure. Making space for real memories. Finally feeling like you’ve got something that won’t fall apart the second life gets messy.
You’ve got this, mama.
Even on your worst day, you’ve now got a plan.