8 Tips to Stay Organized During Back to School Season
The busiest time of year has started up again for parents … Back to School. While there is a lot to get overwhelmed about during this time, this is also a great period to experiment to try new habits, creative routines, and more! Here are a few tips plus tricks from parents and professionals to help you maintain balance during these exciting times.
1. Use a paper sorter for all those permission slips
When your kids start back at school odds are you are going to have to sign a bunch of papers for them to bring back to class. Make it easier on yourself by creating a paper sorter for each of your kids. Next time they come home with important papers they can drop them in the holder. These could look like small cubbies from the container store or an artsy wall file holder. You decide!
If your kids struggle with settling down to start their homework, you can make it easier for them by creating a homework caddy like this one from Clean Mama. Fill a caddy with all the supplies your children need to complete their tasks plus throw in some snacks to keep their minds fueled.
3. Curate a snack box for your kids
While we handle your child’s in-school fuel, they’re probably coming back home ready for a snack to hold them over until dinner. Grab a basket from your local store and add in nutritious snacks for your kids to munch on as they do their homework. Need a little inspiration? Here are some easy DIY nut-free snacks.
4. Use a hanging closet organizer to plan outfits for the week
Mornings before school are already a sprint for most families. For your little ones, a great hack to add some extra minutes back to your morning routine is to set out a week of outfits for your kids with a hanging closet organizer. This way in the AM, your kids can grab their outfits and minimize any hard decision-making. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast!
5. Create a family schedule with Cozi
While some things might be sprung upon you, other things can be scheduled in advance. Digital scheduling apps are a great way to keep all your activities in a log for your family. With the family scheduling app Cozi, you can share calendars, schedules, lists, even recipes with all members of your family. One thing you won’t have to worry about adding to that list is lunch. When you sign up with Yay Lunch, you’ll never have to worry about school lunch again!
6. COVID-19 precautions to take at home
As Back to School opens the door to a lot of new and fun activities, you might be wary about how to keep your children protected during this pandemic. Dr. Liz Stuart, a professor of mental health at Johns Hopkins and mother of two states that parents should, “Think through what you do have control over and what you can do yourself. Try to minimize unnecessary exposure. Think of school as an essential activity.” At home, you can lower your family’s exposure by avoiding large gatherings and regularly cleaning high-touch areas like light switches, phones, car keys, etc.
7. Make a family hydration station
What’s the thing your kids forget most before stepping out the door? Is it their water bottle? If so, you can make it easier for them by making a water bottle holder with an old magazine holder you have laying around the house. Simply turn the holder on its back and stack your family’s bottles vertically. Then place this holder in your kid's cubby area for easy access.
8. Avoid those first day of school jitters
If your children tend to get a little nervous before the first day of school or starting at a new school, check to see if your school has an open house you can attend. This way you can familiarize them with their walk to class, their desk, and of course, the playground. Taking a quick tour will help ease any pre-school stress your kids might have prior to the first day.
Now that you’ve got lunch covered plus some tips and tricks, you can make Back to School as seamless as possible for your family. You got this!
