The Wandering Worker

[Anahi Ortiz M.D.]

Just a quick post tonight that I also posted on my facebook page. Do you have a Wandering Worker at home? Or are you a wandering worker?

   School has begun for many where I live and will soon enough everywhere else. So, it's time to organize your child's homework area. Some students do not like to work on desks, some don't have one, others share a room with a sibling and cannot focus enough in their room to do homework - these are the students that require "portable desks or offices".

   To set one up first obtain a supply center: a tackle box or art supply box. Make sure it has enough compartments to store all the supplies needed. Next the supplies: pens and pencils, pencil sharpener, erasers, crayons-markers- colored pencils, stapler, glue and scissors, index cards, paper clips, ruler, calculator, highlighters, sticky notes, compass, protractor - whew!!     Then fill the supply box with your child and reinforce the need to have the box repacked each day after homework is done. Show your child she/he can do homework anywhere you allow in the house as long as they have their box. Lastly agree on a spot to house the box so your child knows where it is at all times.

   How about you? Do you work from home sometimes? Is your apartment or home too small to accomodate an office or full size desk? Then you may need a portable office yourself. The concept is the same but the supplies may be different. Find a tackle box or art supply box with a series of drawers and compartments. Some extra items not included above may be stamps, envelopes, printer ink, labels. For those of you who are crafty - decorate the box, when it's personalized by you, you're more likely to use it. Then if you want to watch a program on TV and work, bring that box out and put it on the coffee table to start. Or, you can use your dining table. Then the beauty of it is when you are done pack it up an put it in its place. No pens, clips, supplies all over. One other necessity - the loose paper tray. Any loose paper you don't take to work but will need again should go in the tray where you can find it the next time you need it.

   Anyone have other tips? Please leave a comment  or contact me at [e-mail] .