It’s that time of year! The most wonderful time of the year for some. The most stressful time of the year for others. No matter how you feel about the back-to-school season, a little preparation and planning is guaranteed to make the transition much smoother. Continue reading for some back-to-school organization inspiration.
Whether you’re a type-A, organized person or a mom who “flies by the seat of her pants,” I hope you’ll agree with me that a little organization is definitely helpful.
Especially on busy, chaotic mornings.
On hectic evenings, filled to the brim with extracurriculars, sports, and the list never ends.
Take the time before school starts to set your home and systems up for this new (and exciting?) season. Maybe school has already started for y’all, it’s not too late for you! I promise you will thank yourself later!
I have 4 kids going back to school this August (kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade). A few weeks ago, I thought of all the problem areas we previously experienced in our morning, afternoon, and evening routines. Then I brainstormed some ways to combat these issues before they even become issues!
I’m bringing you practical, easy tips. These aren’t fancy (sorry). They probably aren’t Pinterest worthy either. But they (most likely) will work!
1. Organize bathroom products.
Hurdle #1: Getting your kids ready in the morning and ready quickly!
There’s not a bunch of extra time to dilly dally and search for missing hygiene items. We arrive at school around 7:30am over here (why so early???) Get everything you need organized and ready, so everyone knows where to find stuff! And make sure you have an adequate amount (you don’t want to be down to the last dollop of toothpaste when you need it!)
I (finally) made a hair caddy, with all the essential hair supplies I need in the morning (and evening after baths) to tackle my girl’s hair. Last year, silly me, would carry all the products around, dropping them as I try to wrangle my 5-year-old. Now I will just carry the little hair caddy around, no matter where my girls are, and can easily style their hair.
So simple. Organize your hygiene products so that the kids can reach everything and complete as much as they can on their own.
Tip: Use reusable “ziploc bags” to store hair ties or other small hygiene items.
What’s in our bathroom caddy?
- Hair ties (larger size and smaller size)
- Spray bottle with water
- Styling Custard for Curly Hair by Cantu for Kids (perfect if your kids have curly hair like my daughters do!) Snag it HERE on Amazon.
- Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray (also is supposed to help keep the lice away! You can never be too careful when it comes to that)
- A brush
- Bobby pins
2. Organize Lunch Supplies
Do your kids pack a lunch every single day, or do they get the school lunch sometimes (that is my dream)? My two youngest daughters will not “brave” trying the school lunch, except pizza day.
So, I pack the lunch. Every single morning.
I just stocked up on a variety of “healthier” snack options. I had them “sample” new items before packing them in their lunch. They love the sample carts at Sam’s club, so I was the sample lady and let them try the new snack items. Definitely want to make sure they actually like and will eat the food before packing it. My kids are pretty picky and I’m not about wasting food.
Tip: Make your own “lunchables.”
My kids would always beg for lunchables, but this year we are making our own (ok so maybe they mostly just like the Oreos in them). I will cut up cheese, turkey lunch meat, Ritz crackers, and then fill the last section of the lunch container with a fruit (sorry, no Oreos, kiddos).
I have all my lunch making supplies in one place, like sandwich cutters. Definitely will probably let these fall to the wayside by mid-year, but we are starting off strong.
I simply have a shelf in my pantry where we store all our Bento boxes and lunchboxes. It’s at a level where all the kids can reach it and they know where it’s at. You don’t need fancy bins or an elaborate system. Make it work for YOU.
3. Organize Homework supplies
Homework. Love it or hate it, it’s a part of the afterschool routine most days for us.
I identified the main problem we had last year: the kids were always searching for pencils, like every single day.
I had them. I know I had plenty, but where?
That is to remain unknown. This year, I am prepared. I have a box full of sharpened pencils ready to go, along with a pencil sharpener. Apparently, at 34 years old, I am just now realizing how important a pencil sharpener is.
We have a cart dubbed “the art cart,” which contains crayons, markers, scissors, glue, and everything else you might need. Plus, numerous things we probably don’t.
Have a place to store these items you’ll need on a daily (or weekly) basis, so you aren’t tearing your house apart trying to search for them every time.
Do you need an “art cart?” Definitely not. A pencil box with the necessary supplies should be just fine. But whatever problem you had last year or the problems you foresee this year, get ahead of them.
Have a plan in place. Have a system in place. So you’re not scurrying around trying to help your children accomplish their homework without the supplies you need!! Homework can be stressful enough without having to worry about an additional problem.
4. Create a Charging Station for Electronics
Electronics. The bane of my existence at times. I can identify this as a major problem area in our home, a constant irritation for me. The balance of screen time. The “home” for these electronic devices (both a blessing and a curse).
How many of you hear these words constantly: “Can I get on the iPad?” (it’s not actually an iPad, but that’s what they call it).
Think your child is doing their homework? Nope, on their tablet or cell phone.
Hiding their tablet behind a pillow while completing their required 30 minutes of “reading.” We all know they aren’t actually reading (or is that just my kids??)
Here’s my solution! We have yet to see how the system works long term, but my expectations are high.
I have set up a “charging station” in our laundry room, where all electronics must rest and be recharged each night (and at other times during the day when other things need to be done).
Is it homework time? Place your phone (or tablet) on its charging station. Is it dinner time? Place your phone (or tablet) on its charging station. You get the gist.
All the cords, which previously were MIA, are now in one spot, ready to be used. No freak out moments when my 4 (almost 5) year old’s tablet dies. It can be properly charged overnight instead, which leads to more happy moments in our home.
5. Set up a Calendar for weekly events & the meal plan.
The kids always want to know….”what’s for dinner?”
And it’s only breakfast time.
Get ahead of the questions by posting the meal plan for the week on the refrigerator (or another convenient location). This helps your kids know what to expect and you as well. So you can have dinner ready to go by 6:00pm on the dot every single night (haha, yeah ok).
The system I’m using: An acrylic calendar that magnetizes to the fridge. I will write out the dinner for each day. I know it’s not a new groundbreaking idea, but I’m implementing this year. Now let’s see if I can stick to erasing it each week and actually write the new week’s meals down. Only time will tell.
You can also write other events that take place each day of the week. Or jot down quick notes in the note section!
It’s about being just a little bit ahead of the game. A little bit ahead of the kids and their questions and needs.
6. Plan easy make-ahead breakfasts.
It’s as easy or as complicated as you want to make it. Because again, this has to be what works for you and your family!
If it’s a bowl of cereal, that works.
If you want to take time each Sunday to prepare muffins or egg bites, it will probably take less than an hour of your precious Sunday.
And the hassle-free mornings will be worth the time and effort.
Take into account what your kids like and what you want to fill their bellies with each morning. If a high-protein breakfast is a priority, brainstorm a plan that will work for you. But think long-term. Will making a big breakfast of eggs and turkey bacon and protein pancakes every morning be sustainable for the long haul??
Not in my world. But more power to you if that works for your life and schedule.
Organize and Create Systems that Work for YOUR FAMILY
My main goal in writing this blog post is two-fold: to first, encourage you to find the problem spots in your house that may affect the smooth transition into the back-to-school season. Secondly, I hope to motivate you to establish some sort of organization system that will be beneficial to you.
Maybe all of the problems I shared you have nailed down…that’s great! But I’m sure there’s at least one area you could organize better or one routine you could better improve before the madness of early mornings and full days await you.
Don’t be overwhelmed by all the fancy, Pinterest organization bins and mudrooms. Use what you have, in the space that you have. Your organization systems can be pretty, but they don’t have to be. Function is the most important thing here!
I’m going to end this blog post with a verse I love. Our most important jobs as moms are to serve our families and love them, as if it is Jesus Christ we are serving!
