The dog days of summer are drawing to a close, the first chill is in the air and the kids are itching to hit the books! Well maybe they’re not that excited but it is that time of year and if we’re prepared hopefully the transition from the lazy days of summer to school routine will be a smooth one!
Here are our top ten tips to help you out:
1. TO DO LISTS
Create a to do list of all of the tasks you need to take care of. For example, clothes and supply shopping, schedules – basically for everything you need to get done.
2. SORT THRU EVERYONE’S CLOTHES
Make it fun and have a fashion show so you can determine what fits and what needs to be replaced. Purge and donate all of the items that you are finished with or put them in the hand me down bin. Get out the bin of appropriate hand me downs, wash them and put them away. Make a list of what you need and stick to that list when you get to the store.
3. ESTABLISH ROUTINES
Start re-establishing your routines for bed and meal times a couple of weeks before school starts so kids have time to adjust to a more structured schedule.
4. ORGANIZE YOUR ENTRY WAY
Organize your front hall or mudroom so there is a spot for everyone’s back pack, purse, keys and cell phones. Adding hooks for every family member is a super way to keep everyone organized.
5. GET ORGANIZED THE NIGHT BEFORE
Have the kids choose their clothes before going to bed so that they just need to get up and get dressed – there is no humming and hawing about what to wear. Have the knapsacks packed and ready to go and have lunches and snacks made and ready to grab out of the fridge.
6. STAY ON TOP OF LAUNDRY
Do not let laundry get out of hand. Have one or two days of the week dedicated to do a load or two. Especially if the kids have uniforms that they wear weekly.
7. PLAN YOUR WEEKDAY LUNCHES AND DINNERS
Do a meal plan for all of your lunches, snacks and weeknight dinners to ensure that your family is eating healthy, nutritious meals.
8. STAY ON TOP OF SCHOOL PAPER
Create a system that works for your family to deal with all of the paper, art and notices that come home from school.
9. HAVE A BAG FOR EVERYTHING
Have a specific bag for every activity – swimming, soccer, ballet, library, tutoring etc. – so that you can just grab it and go. Make sure that it is restocked immediately following the activity so you’re ready to go the next week.
10. START PLANNING YOUR CHRISTMAS AND MARCH BREAK VACATIONS!
By the end of September everyone will already be needing a break from the routine but hopefully if you stay organzied your weeks will be stress-free and running smoothly…for the most part!