Home Prep for Back-to-School Success
Sure, it’s still hot as blazes outside, but the start of the school year is just around the corner, bringing with it a familiar whirlwind of chaos — early mornings, missing homework, misplaced backpacks, and frenzied breakfast scrambles. Don’t sweat it! A little thoughtful organization around the house now can make everyone’s transition back to school a whole lot smoother.
Outline the New Routine
A good game plan is well-thought-out. Start with outlining your new morning routine and work through the rest of the day. Then, create and display a simple checklist for morning and bedtime routines to streamline the daily hustle. Even kids who aren’t reading yet will understand pictures. Rehearse it with the kids and adjust the timing as needed.
The biggest question: How much time will your family need to wake up and get to school on time? With longer days and a looser schedule, chances are your kids wake up later in summer. Ease into the school routine by adjusting kids’ bedtimes gradually — try increments of 10 minutes earlier each night.
Organize Your Entryway
Adding coat hooks and a shoe rack at a child-appropriate height encourages kids (and adults) to take responsibility for their belongings and prevents tripping hazards. Add labeled hooks or cubbies for each child’s backpack, jackets, and sports gear. Have a shoe rack nearby, and baskets or bins to store hats and gloves.
Set Up a Homework Zone
A dedicated homework area helps kids focus and fosters creativity. Set up a cozy corner with good lighting, a comfy chair, and essential school supplies at the ready. Personalize the space with a whiteboard and fun posters to keep kids inspired. Ensure the area is quiet and distraction-free. (No phones allowed!)
Get More School Supplies Than You Need
Never get caught off guard by last-minute projects again. Stock up on extra basic supplies like printer ink, notebooks, and art supplies now. Store them in a dedicated area and clearly label drawers or bins with categories such as pens, pencils, glue, and paper to make finding what you need simple.
Organize the Pantry
Make it easy for you (even better, your kids) to make breakfast and pack lunches by organizing pantry shelves with reusable containers, water bottles, and clearly labeled snack bins. Designate a lower shelf for kid-friendly snacks and breakfast foods to foster independence.
Make a Family Command Center
Create a central calendar — digital or wall-mounted — to track important school dates, appointments, and family activities. Color-code it to help family members keep up with their responsibilities and events. Consider adding a bulletin board or magnetic board nearby to quickly pin permission slips, school flyers, or important reminders.
Check Emergency Kits
Check expiration dates on all your first-aid and emergency supplies, restocking as needed. Make sure your emergency kit includes essentials such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, allergy medication, pain relievers, and basic first-aid instructions. Store it in an easily accessible spot.
Conduct a Closet Purge
Donate summer clothes that no longer fit and consider storing out-of-season clothes in labeled bins or vacuum bags to keep closets tidy and make room for seasonal items. Include your kids in the process so they can understand how to manage their belongings responsibly. Have children try on their school uniforms or favorite school clothes to ensure they still fit and determine if they need any new items.
Encourage Good Sleep Habits
Better sleep means smoother mornings and a greater capacity to learn at school. Keep electronic devices out of bedrooms by establishing a charging station elsewhere. Establish a consistent bedtime routine that includes calming, screen-free activities such as reading or quiet conversation.
Truthfully, no matter how well you prepare, there will always be some level of chaos at the outset of a new school year. So, do what you can to prepare and savor the last few days of summer with the kids, because there will only be so many!
Celebrate the end of summer together with a family movie night.
