Ready, Set, School! A Parent's Guide for Back-to-School Organizing
Back to school already? “Yes, yay!” or, “Yes, ugh!”. Either way, preparing for it is critical to a smooth transition for everyone involved.
The back-to-school season can be a whirlwind of emotions and tasks, but with a well-thought-out organization plan, you can ease the transition and set your children up for success. In this blog post, I'll guide you through essential steps to organize your kids and their spaces for the upcoming school year. While this prep can vary largely based on your child’s age, these tips will help everyone get started.
Closets and Drawers
I'm probably starting with the thing most parents dread the most. Opening kids’ closets and drawers to organize clothing! I highly encourage involving your child in this process first, to incorporate their input, and second, especially for those with older kids, so that they understand you’re not trying to be nosy. Please, respect their boundaries! By being organized and thoughtful when resetting your child's closet for the new school year, you'll make the morning routine smoother and help them feel prepared and confident as they return to school.
Sort and declutter: Start by going through your child's clothes and removing anything that no longer fits or is worn out. Donate or pass on items that others can use.
Start a shopping list: Include names of stores/ brands and write down the sizes you’ll need to buy to replenish the closet. Remember that you may have to size up more if you’re going to buy clothes for the entire year, all the way until next summer. Make a list of essential clothing items your child will need for the new school year, including everyday wear, sports attire, and outerwear. Invest in versatile basics like solid color t-shirts, comfortable jeans, leggings, and skirts that can be mixed and matched easily. Don't forget footwear - purchase new shoes if necessary, including school shoes and any shoes needed for extra-curricular activities.
Organize by type: When arranging clothes in the closet, group similar items together, such as shirts, pants, dresses, and jackets, to make it easier for your child to find what they need. If you can manage it, only put out clothes for the Fall and store away the clothes for Winter and Spring. Then you can refresh the closet later in the year and remove any outgrown or unused items.
Set up a donation box/bag: As the school year progresses, have a designated box in the closet for clothes your child has outgrown or no longer wears. This will help you stay organized and ready for the next closet reset.
Workspace
A well-organized study space can enhance concentration and productivity.
Declutter drawers, shelves, and the desk: Remove things like pens, markers, chargers, etc., that no longer work or are no longer needed. Re-home special assignments/art from the previous year in an “important assignments box” or save them digitally. Clean out binders and re-label with the subjects for the upcoming year.
Ensure the desk lamp is adequate for all times of the day.
If you have older children who mainly work on devices, check that the Wifi is reliable in the spot chosen for the workspace. Also, ensure the power strip for the table is in good condition and check that there is a set of essential chargers.
Make a list of supplies that need to be purchased.
Food, Glorious Food
Doing these two things can save time and money!
Create a list of favorite breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks: Next to the items, write down the approximate prep+cook time. If you’d like to go further, you can write down the staples needed for these dishes. This list will be a lifesaver when you’re juggling your family commitments.
Stock the pantry with staples: While a well-organized pantry is desirable all year round, it’s instrumental to a smooth transition for the household when kids are headed back to school because it sets the foundation for a stress-free and efficient daily routine. Keep breakfast and snacks in a designated spot with a label, and check that those items are easily accessible by your kids. Make sure you can easily identify what items need to be restocked or those not being eaten at all.
Beyond Stuff and Spaces
In addition to the actual things we need for school, and the space that stores those things, here are some organizing tips that will help as you plan the year ahead
Download the school calendar: You can do this electronically and overlay it with your work and personal calendar. You can see half days, days off, and other special days throughout the year without checking the academic calendar. This has been so helpful for me, especially when I’m planning doctor’s appointments and trips through the year. For example, most places are open on Veterean’s Day, but schools and some public offices are not. It’s a perfect day for a semi-annual dental appointment. The same goes for random half-day weeks. Planning will be much easier if you have all the information on your calendar.
Review contact information: Review the emergency contact information on file with the school and go over this with your child. Also, if you have young children, this is a good time to check if they know the cell phone numbers of people in the house or other caregivers.
Transportation: If you need to find a carpool partner, post it on the school parent interface or your local parent social media group. If there’s a bus, walk to the stop with your kids, even if they have taken it before.
Realigning rhythms: This is hard to accomplish, but I highly recommend it. If you can, transition to the school schedule for sleep and meal times the week before school opens. This will also help you streamline morning prep, establish routines and foster open communication about what is working. The first week of school is always a time of stress and excitement. Allowing the family’s rhythm that extra week to adjust means you’re not screaming at the kids to wake up, they’re not upset and groggy, and, fingers crossed, everyone can leave home happy and on time.
Taking the time to organize in this way will set a positive tone for the entire school year. Creating a well-equipped and clutter-free environment and establishing routines will help your children embark on their educational journey with confidence and enthusiasm. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way, so let's get ready, set, and conquer the new school year together!
