Method and device for organizing, storing, transporting and retrieving paperwork and documents associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member

Abstract

A method and apparatus (i.e., an organizer) are disclosed for parents or guardians to easily store, organize, transport, and retrieve documents and paperwork associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new member of a family (e.g., birth). In a preferred embodiment, the organizer comprises a lightweight briefcase containing: a plurality of folders or pocket enclosures with preprinted tab indexes corresponding to the essential activities, categories, and/or relevant subjects of an infant's/young child's administrative life; wallet cards having preprinted, pre-labeled spaces for entering important information relating to a newborn, i.e., that may be needed in an emergency situation where archived paperwork is not available; a notepad-like “Thank You Note” tracker; a set of extra folders with blank tabs to customize; and a reference sheet with suggested additional categories to mark on the blank tabs to customize the extra folders based upon the user's experience. The associated method comprises determining, through research and validation, the different categories of paperwork and documents typically associated with a paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member; followed by creating the aforementioned organizer; and then its use.

1 . A method of creating an organizer used in organizing, storing, transporting and retrieving paperwork and documents associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member, including paperwork and documents associated with that member before and after the introduction, wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 a. conducting research to determine the types of categories of paperwork and documents associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member, including paperwork and documents associated with that member before and after the introduction, wherein the researching comprises: 
 (i) conducting background research using written resources;  
 (ii) interviewing multiple professionals and organizations typically associated with that type of family member; and  
   b. validating those categories by interviewing experienced caregivers and legal guardians, who have had a new family member introduced to the caregivers' and guardians' responsibility, as to the categories the caregivers and guardians have encountered, including before and after introduction of the member;    c. selecting the most frequently encountered categories;    d. preprinting the names of a plurality of the most frequently encountered categories on separate indexing tabs of folders;    e. creating a reference sheet listing a plurality of the next most frequently encountered categories;    f. providing additional folders with blank tabs for imprinting some of the categories on the reference sheet based upon a user's experience; and    g. placing the folders, and reference sheet, in a satchel.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for a birth certificate and Social Security registration card.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for insurance.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the preprinted categories encompass health records.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the preprinted categories encompass immunizations and vaccinations.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for pediatrician visits and health-care receipts.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the categories preprinted include a category for childcare search.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the method includes adding a pad for tracking thank you notes associated with the introduction.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the method includes adding a pad for tracking gifts associated with the introduction.  
   
   
       10 . A method of creating an organizer used for the organization, storage, transport and retrieval of paperwork and documents associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member, wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 a. conducting research to determine the types of categories of paperwork and documents associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member;    b. validating those categories by interviewing a plurality of individuals, who have had a new family member introduced to their responsibility, as to the categories they have encountered;    c. selecting the most frequently encountered categories;    d. preprinting the names of a plurality of the most frequently encountered categories on separate indexing tabs of folders;    e. creating a reference sheet listing a plurality of the next most frequently encountered categories; and    f. providing additional folders with blank tabs for imprinting some of the categories on the reference sheet based upon a user's experience; and    g. placing the folders, and reference sheet, in a satchel.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising researching paperwork-generating events associated with that member before and after the introduction.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the steps of determining the categories of paperwork and documents typically associated with the paperwork-generating introduction of a new family member includes the following steps: (i) background research using written resources; (ii) interviews with multiple professionals or organizations typically associated with that type of family member; and (iii) interviews of experienced caregivers and legal guardians.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for a birth certificate and Social Security registration card.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for insurance.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the preprinted categories encompass health records.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the preprinted categories encompass immunizations and vaccinations.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the preprinted categories include a category for pediatrician visits and health-care receipts.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the categories preprinted include a category for childcare search.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the method includes adding a pad for tracking thank you notes associated with the introduction.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method includes adding a pad for tracking gifts associated with the introduction.