Wow, that is a great question.  I don't have this issue but trying to stay organized with both parents in the same house is a challenge I can't imagine two! 

Maybe just to make sure you are all on the same page, a weekly email to Dad with all of the things that are coming up for that week and a note for each item as to who is responsible for what.  This would be similar to a weekly planning meeting.  You could also provide each other with a schedule of your own availabiltiy (just blocking times without having to tell each other what you are doing - and noting whether contact is possible) so you both know when the other won't be around in case anything comes up.

Obviously, it may be difficult to have 2 sets of school books (since most schools have a hard time providing one set these days) but she should probably have a second set of supplies at Dad's so she doesn't have to always lug everything.

Those are my only thoughts...

Hello LSO,

I asked our GO Guru, Stephanie Vozza your question, and here was her reply:

Thanks for sending this question. Instilling good organization and time management habits in children is a challenge; very few children are naturally organized. When kids split their time in two locations, it adds another degree of difficulty.

It's important to help your child and be patient. Make a checklist for each day of the week and list what supplies are needed. For example, if your child alternates weekends between parent's homes, have a Friday/Saturday/Sunday checklist that includes all of the supplies needed for extracurricular activities that occur on those days.

You can even print this list and insert it in a luggage tag on your child's weekend bag. Go through the list with your child before they leave; after a while, your child can do this on their own. If the amount of supplies they need to carry back and forth becomes cumbersome, it can be helpful if you have duplicates, one set being stored at each location. Kids are often in a hurry, excited to go to the next activity. Encourage them to take time to make sure they have everything they need.

When your children are old enough (tweens and teens), enforce responsibility. Make a rule that if they forget an item, it will not be "messengered" over by the other parent. When children have to live with the consequences of disorganization, they often realize its importance and take the time to be more organized.

We hope this helps!

Good question! Now, imagine three households! My son is staying in another state with his step-father and father, going to high school his old (better) school district and living in our/my old house while staying with his father on the weekends, and visiting me on holidays. My son and I are both organizationally challenged. I'm looking forward to the School Files I just ordered. There's three set of files: one for my son, one for step-dad, one for dad. I'm hoping this will help them all keep it together. And, take away my son's excuses for not getting things done or forgetting things! Also, we use the school checklist pads, I also bought at a FC store last year. That's a handy and easy daily list to put on the refrigerator and take back and forth for the morning.