1. PURGE CLOSETS

This is a great time of the year to get rid of the old to get ready for the new.  Purging makes us feel good.  Go through your kids’ clothes, toys, and supplies they have at home to take inventory of what you need for the upcoming school year.

Grab a Post-it note and write down what each child will need.  Dedicated lists keep you on track to buying anything and everything.

2. CREATE A DEDICATED WORKSPACE FOR HOMEWORK 

If you have older kids, they’ll have homework.  Creating a dedicated space for homework provides consistency. Once the location has been determined, plan where supplies will be stored.  Organized supplies keep your child on task and prevent meltdowns or stress that may arise from not having markers that work.

One way to get supplies organized is by using this 3-tier cart.  This cart has all the supplies readily available at your fingertips.  These tall smart store bins optimize space by creating more of it.  Use a bin for each category, pencils, markers, crayons, etc.

3. REFRESH THE PANTRY

Back-to-school is the second reset of the year.  Purge the pantry, and add some bins with labels to make it easy to find what you need. Be sure to check expiration dates as they can easily be overlooked.

4. Pack Lunches the Night Before

If your child brings a lunch to school, pack it the night before.  Mornings are less hectic when this happens.   Also, if you pack lunches set up a lunch station, and empty out individually wrapped items from the boxes for quicker access.  For example, use a clear storage bin in the refrigerator for yogurts and cheese sticks.  Having these set up will make it much easier to pack lunches.  It will also help you with your grocery list because you’ll see what you need to buy.

5. DROP ZONE

Designate a place where their backpacks go every single day. It can be in their room, kitchen, or the entryway. Use hooks so it’s easy to access.

Putting backpacks in the same place eliminates stress and the “Mom, where’s my backpack?!” and makes mornings run smoother.

Hooks make hanging up items effortless.  Wall-mounted hooks add style and elegance to a home.  If putting holes into the wall isn’t your thing, these 3M Command hooks do exactly that.

Another option is to use this door organizer system from The Container Store.  This system allows you to customize it to fit your needs best.

Elfa Door & Wall Rack

Hanging Standard

Utility Board

Double Hooks

Overdoor hooks

6. PLAN OUTFITS THE NIGHT PRIOR

Get clothes ready the night before.  If they want to wear something but can’t find it, there’s more time to figure out where it’s at the night before than in the morning.  You can even do a load of laundry if need be.

There’s nothing worse than looking for something you wanted or planned to wear the next morning and can’t find it.  It starts your day off on the wrong foot.

Having a good closet system will make planning outfits easier.

7. USE A CALENDAR THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE

Make use of wall space with a dry erase calendar.  This visual tool keeps everyone in the know and will help you manage your time effectively and avoid missing any papers that need to be turned in.

A calendar consistently creates a habit of being organized. When you develop the habit of writing down and following your schedule, you naturally become more organized in other aspects.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember, the key to a successful organization is consistency and commitment. By staying organized, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of the school year and focus on your child’s growth.  These back-to-school tips will ensure the school year starts off strong and on the right foot.