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

If you have older kids, they’ll have homework.  Creating a dedicated space for homework provides consistency. Once the location has been determined, plan out how and where supplies will be stored.  Organized supplies keep your child on task and prevent any type of meltdown 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 typically the time of year when many have another reset button, similar to the beginning of the year.  Purge the pantry, and add some bins with labels to make it easy to find what you need. Having an organized pantry makes life easier because everyone in the house can find what they need.  It’ll make packing lunches easier.  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. Backpack station

Create a dedicated area where the backpack goes every time.  A great place would be a mudroom inside the house or the garage or an entryway.  Your child’s bedroom works well too.  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 best fit you and your family.

Elfa Door & Wall Rack

Hanging Standard

Utility Board

Double Hooks

Overdoor hooks

6. Plan Outfits The Night Before

Get clothes ready the night before.  If there’s something they want to wear but can’t find it, there’s more time to figure out where it’s at the night before than the morning.  You can even do a load of laundry if need be.  There’s nothing worse 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. Get A Planner or Calendar

Invest in a planner or use a digital calendar to keep track of assignments, tests, projects, and extracurricular activities. This will help you manage your time effectively and avoid missing any papers that need to be turned in.

With a planner, you can offload the burden of remembering everything in your mind. When you have your schedule and tasks written down, you free up mental space, reducing stress and anxiety. A planner 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.