Tips for Back to School Season

Back to school season is here, and school supply lists have taken over almost every store in town. Seeing those lists remind us that it’s also time to start thinking about morning routines, packing lunches, paperwork, practice schedules…you know the drill. There might be a lot to plan for, but don’t stress. These five simple tips will help make your life easier and get your kids off to a great start!

Clean out kids’ closets

• Before you even think about back to school shopping…Know what you need to buy and what not to. Start three piles: trash, donate, and keep. Throw away the worn-out clothes, and donate the ones that don’t fit anymore.

Enforce earlier bedtimes

• Start putting kids to bed earlier before school even starts, so the wake-up time won’t be as much of a shock on the first day of school. Planning ahead on the sleep schedule will hopefully save you from listening to a temper tantrum on the morning of the first day of school.

Start a supply stash

• You never know when your kid will need a poster board for a project. Don’t stress about not having the board until the night before the assignment is due. Buy several boards in bulk ahead of time, and store away for future use. 

Make a DIY lunch station

• With a little training and encouragement, most kids are probably more than capable of packing their own lunches. Try labeling multiple bins in your kitchen with lunch bags, snack items, fruits and veggies, and protein. Your kids can go to the makeshift “lunch station,” grab a bag, choose one snack item, two fruits/vegetables, and two protein options on their own. This method can be easily customized to fit your family’s lifestyle!

Create a drop-zone

• Instead of tripping over backpacks and shoes in the entryway, create a “drop-zone” for your kids to drop their stuff after getting home from school. Add a small storage unit and hooks on the wall to create designated spots for your kids to store their gear and hang their backpacks and coats.

With these back to school tips, you’ll be well-prepared and ready to tackle the upcoming school year with ease.