Two more Shredding Events in June

There is a LOT of paper out there that needs to be shredded. I see it everyday with my clients. Here are TWO more upcoming shredding events in June.

Saturday, June 13, 9-12 am: THE GRATEFUL SHRED II, Clara Barton Community Center, 7425 MacArthur Boulevard, Cabin John, MD (301-229-0010)

All proceeds go to support activities at the Clara Barton Community Center. Bring your materials or you may drop off material to shred, starting at 8 A.M. Requested voluntary donation: $5 per box of paper (a one-cubic-foot storage box or the equivalent). Or you can have a half-box or the equivalent shredded for $3 or a quarter-box for $2. Paper bags are OK containers.

The following can be shredded along with office paper: staples, paper clips, rubber bands, folders, binder clips, hanging folders (even with metal strips), and labels. But not newspapers, 3-ring binders, cardboard, heavy plastic, heavy metals, boxes, trash, floppy disks, or CDs.

Saturday, June 20, 8-11 am: NBC4 Safe & Secure Community Shred, Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA.

You may bring up to five boxes of personal papers for shredding (no CDs or credit cards). It's the best way to protect your identity...and it's good for the environment too!

Organizing Kid's Stuff in time for Summer

With the arrival of my two little ones and having worked with several families these past few years, I know that kids are notorious for misplacing things and then begging for you to help them find them. And, once your kids get to preschool age, they have many more items that they are likely to loose. Unfortunately, kids at this age don't yet understand that when they just drop their stuff on the kitchen counter, it doesn't always remain there.


However, this is the perfect time to start teaching your children how to organize. Trust me, they aren't too young and starting this early will pay off.


-Create consequences: If you don't let your child play with this truck because he left it out, he will eventually learn to put it away.


-Everything has its own place: Try and buy separate bins or containers for toys, school supplies, etc. See-through containers work the best. Then help your child with labels or pictures on the outside of the bin so they know what is inside and your child will learn where each item goes. Get them into the habit of putting everything back where it belongs before starting a new activity.


-Make a game of it: If your child looses something, try giving them clues to help them figure out where they last had it. This way, he will look for the item and not for you!