copyright 2009, The Washington Post 'I line all the lunch stuff up all together on my shelves: pretzels, jars of fruit, bottled water, health bars. Everything is in one place so they can just grab it. On Sundays, we cut up veggies so they are ready to go.' Katherine Tkac, Woodbridge, Va. 'I have a huge calendar where I write every family date down. I also keep last year's calendar underneath it. ... Sometimes it's very helpful to have them to go back and refer to.' Aroob Ali-Adeeb, Saudi Arabia (formerly of Sterling, Va.) 'I suggest making a survival kit for your car. ... Here's what I have: wet wipes, a case of water, a first-aid kit, jackets, a blanket, sweat shirts, scissors, napkins, mints, perfume, mouthwash and deodorant.' Liz Holliday, Lorton, Va. 'We have those traditional wood inboxes for every member of the family. It's good to keep them on the kitchen counter for permission slips and all the other paperwork that turns up.' Ann Soraghan, Fairfax Station, Va. 'Start and maintain a daily routine for looking through your children's school folders. I do it every night after dinner.' Renee Brandon, Fort Washington, Md. 