How is it time for back-to-school again? My summer sure flew by!
If you have kids, you probably spend a lot of time preparing for the new school year. There’s school supplies, new clothes, immunization records, meet the teacher nights, and much more. But what about your home?
Here are a few of my favorite tips for staying organized and helping to set your kids up for success:
1. Designate storage. Kids bring home a lot of stuff. If their things get scattered throughout the house, they may never be seen again. Come up with a system for where backpacks, jackets, folders, etc. should go, and stick to it.
2. Have a homework station. This doesn’t have to be a large space, but a space without distractions will make homework time less stressful.
3. Stock up on supplies. Don’t overlook the need for things like paper, pencils, glue, and markers at home. Whether they sit on top of a desk or get stored away each evening, be sure each item is easily accessible but also has a proper place. Many schools require very specific items like red folders so that systems can be put in place by the teachers. At home, have some more fun with the supplies and purchase things in your kids’ favorite colors, with characters, etc.
4. Have a plan for completed work. Younger kids especially come home with a lot of crafts, pictures, and other items you may want to hold on to. Some parents snap a picture to save the memory but toss the item. Others utilize some sort of basket or box for keepsakes. Having a plan and a system will keep you from getting overloaded with school clutter.
5. Prep the kitchen. Most kids want a snack as soon as they get home. Some bring their lunch to school. Also, you may be busier during the weeknights now that school is back in session. It’s probably a good idea to rethink the types of foods you have been buying over the summer and exchange for some quick and easy snacks and meals.
6. Make clothes accessible. For younger kids, finding a place to lay out the next day’s clothing can be a big time saver during the morning rush. Have outfit discussions the night before and set the clothes out where your kids can find them and get dressed themselves.
7. Have a family calendar. A lot of families paint or hang a family calendar on the wall in the kitchen or mudroom. There are so many cute options out there, and having a central station to organize all of the family activities can be a great help.
8. Utilize technology. Maybe it’s a new alarm clock for the kids, a coffee maker that starts brewing automatically or an Instant Pot to help make meals – there are great ways to utilize technology to save some time and help keep everyone on schedule throughout the week.
9. Create car storage. Do your kids play sports, have music lessons, or other after-school activities? Consider utilizing an organizer for your car with different compartments to keep everything in place.
10. Get control of devices. Many school districts now require tablets, and that’s on top of all of the devices you already have at home. Create some rules around when devices can be used, and when they should be stored and charged. They also make some really handy chargers that allow you to charge many devices all at once. These are great space savers!
Do you have a tip for getting your home ready for back-to-school time? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!