It’s almost Labor Day weekend which means two things: the end of summer and the start of a new school year.
The transition from the dog days of summer to the excitement of a new chapter can be overwhelming and stressful for parents and kids alike! There aren’t just new classes and friends but new activities, events, school supplies, and items in your home. It can be a challenge to keep track of everything and feel like you’ve got your home under control.
To help you out, we’ve created a list of 6 tips to get you organized and under control for back to school!
SET ASIDE TIME FOR YOURSELF
I wanted to start this off with a tip thats just for you, not about the kiddos. Because frankly, if we don’t take care of ourselves, the whole ship is goin’ down! I truly believe one of the best ways to maintain sanity during the back-to-school transition is to save time each week for some self-care! *Every parent sighs*. In the flurry of dance recitals and soccer games, science fairs and playdates, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Scheduling 30-60 minutes each week for some YOU time can make all the difference. Read your favorite book, make a phone date with your best friend, take a bubble bath. Even if it means sacrificing a bit of sleep, honoring your own well-being and self-care practice is vital. If you’re anything like me, you would do anything for your kids. But sometimes the best way to take care of our families is to take care of ourselves.
2. create A WEEKLY OUTFIT PREP SYSTEM
Help get the kiddos out the door faster AND give yourself some extra stress-free time by setting up an outfit station for your kids! Giving them a system to plan ahead and pick out what they’ll wear during the week will eliminate the battle of deciding what they want to put on every morning. Each Sunday before bed, they can choose their outfits and get them prepared for the week ahead. This will help them build their sense of independence and give you a calmer morning (maybe you’ll even get a few extra sips of coffee while it’s still hot 😉).
An over-the-door shoe organizer is a great hack for creating this set up or a simple basket with ziplock bags labeled for Monday-Friday. If you’ve got the space to spare, this closet hanger is also a great system for kids to plan ahead and provides a great visual for their weekly plan.
3. CREATE A COMMAND STATION
Setting up a “command station” is a fantastic way to centralize any and all important bits of information you might need as you ramp up the school year. I like having a dry erase calendar posted with all important dates and activities, color-coded by family member. Keeping an organized calendar is crucial to smooth family operations! This space should also include some sort of filing system for mail, paperwork, and important school documents. (We recommend a filer so that your papers don’t become a pile of clutter.)
4. CREATE A GRAB-AND-GO SECTION IN YOUR PANTRY
The family schedule is about to get a bit more hectic with homework, practices, classes, and activities. To make life easier (for you and your kids!), create an accessible grab-and-go zone in your pantry with all your kids’ favorite snacks. This way they can grab them on their way out the door without having to search through different areas of your kitchen. Add a bin for reusable water bottles so they can grab those on the go as well - keep those kiddos hydrated!
5. HELP YOUR KIDS GET READY ALONE WITH A CADDY SYSTEM
A shower caddy isn’t just for our college-aged kids! Help your littles become more self-sufficient and tidy by setting up a caddy system for all their bathroom-prep needs! Store a caddy under the sink with all the items they’ll need to get ready in the morning - toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, etc. They’ll be able to pull up the bin, get ready, and put it away without going through various cabinets or drawers (and without creating a mess (for you) to clean up!).
6. SET UP YOUR ENTRYWAY FOR SUCCESS
Keeping your entryway clear and ready for a tornado of activity will work wonders for your family. Make sure there are hooks for keys and bags so that the floor remains clear. Choose a storage solution that will help prevent shoes from sitting in a pile in everyone’s way. Whether it’s a shoe rack for the big kids or a basket for the little ones, keeping this space as orderly as possible will be HUGE. You want the kids to be able to run in and out in a flash without creating a messy aftermath.
Sage Wisdom: Want more tips for setting up this space? Check out our recent blog about tidying up this multipurpose area!
Finally, don’t let the end of summer festivities catch you off guard! If you’re planning a trip for Labor Day weekend, make sure to have a plan set up for how you’ll pack for your trip AND how you’ll return without feeling overwhelmed about the next chapter. Check out last month’s blog for some travel tips on how to pack like a pro!
Things are about to get really exciting for you and your whole family! There’s a different energy surrounding each school year, full of unknown opportunities and new experiences. We hope these 6 tips will help you feel prepared and ready for this new period instead of feeling uncertain and overwhelmed.
Feeling overwhelmed as you get ready for back to school?
Schedule your free consultation call today and we’ll get your organized in no time!