School’s Almost Back In Session: Here’s Your Blueprint For Back-To-School Organization (Without The Headaches)
With only three weeks left in August, the new school year is on the horizon. Your kids might be bursting with excitement at the idea of seeing their friends every single day again, and you probably aren’t mad about finally getting back some of your afternoon free time.
But, along with the thrill of a new school year comes the inevitable chaos of getting things organized. From buying dozens of class supply items to getting your children back on a good sleep schedule, there’s a ton to do.
This year, though, can be a bit different. By using a few of our handy back-to-school organization tips, you can skip feeling overwhelmed and make a seriously smooth transition.
First Things First: Get Your Calendar In Order
Parents might be superheroes, but they’re still human. It is impossible to retain every little thing that needs to get done in your head without missing something.
That’s why a family calendar should be a cornerstone in your household. It doesn’t matter if it’s digital or an old-school wall calendar. Just find one that works for you.
This will help you keep track of everything from appointments and school events to extracurricular activities and birthday parties.
You can also color-code the calendar by family members to get a clear overview of who’s doing what and when.
Create A Homework Station
ID 158637962 – © Galina Kovalenko – Dreamstime.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
A dedicated homework station sets the stage for success. Find a quiet spot in your house, stock it with essentials like pens, pencils, and notebooks, and watch the magic happen.
Finally, you won’t have to answer any more questions about where the pencils are or how to find more lined paper!
Just think of the station as a little home office for your kids that won’t just make them feel special but will also save you a lot of headaches.
Make A Wardrobe Routine
Have you ever wasted precious morning minutes by trying on outfit after outfit, standing in the mirror, and hating everything you put on? Add a load of unfolded laundry to the mix, and you’re bound to be late for work.
Your kids are no different. They enjoy feeling good about their school outfits, especially after the back-to-school shopping season.
So, to help them avoid long mornings with skipped breakfast and missed buses, be sure to either lay out their clothes the evening before or instruct your kids to do so.
This will empower them and save you valuable time in the morning since you won’t have to keep rushing them along.
Meal Prep For The Win
Much like clothes, lunchboxes shouldn’t consume your morning. Instead, get a jump on lunch prep the night before.
You don’t have to go wild, either, and you can make it a fun activity.
After dinner, have all of your kids join you in the kitchen and figure out what they want for lunch the next day. If they are old enough, all you have to do is leave out some containers and plastic sandwich bags. They can just handle the rest– wrapping up their choices and sticking their lunchbox in the fridge.
This helps you work smarter, not harder and will help your kids enjoy their lunches even more since they have a hand in putting the meals together.
Stay Connected With Teachers
If you have multiple children, staying on top of all their school requirements, events, and other happenings can feel like a full-time job.
But, by opening lines of communication with teachers early, you can ask to be kept directly in the loop on anything pressing.
Most schools also have online portals or email lists that make remaining up-to-date a breeze. Be sure to inquire about your options during your school’s open house or meet the teacher night.
Take A Breather
Lastly, don’t forget to just breathe. Getting back to school is both exciting and overwhelming for the entire family. And even if something goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world.
Take a moment to just appreciate the process and remember that your kids only have so many “first days” back at school. Try to enjoy it while you can, and give yourself some grace along the way.
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