As summer winds down and the back-to-school season approaches, it's easy for some household tasks to fall behind while you're out enjoying the sun. But with the school year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to get organized and ease your family into the new routines. Here are eight things you can do to prepare before the kids head back to school:
1. CREATE A FAMILY COMMAND CENTER:
Set up a centralized area in your home to keep everyone on the same page. Equip it with a large dry-erase or chalkboard calendar, hanging wall file holders, a basket for pens and paper, and some magnets. Add coat hooks and maybe a family photo to personalize it. Don’t forget to print out the school calendar from the school’s website and keep it handy.
2. ORGANIZE YOUR LAUNDRY SYSTEM:
Take a moment to organize your laundry room/area. Add baskets, shelves, hanging rods or whatever else you need to stay organized. Stock up on all your laundry essentials, including detergent and fabric softener. In my home, once the kids return to school, there is a never-ending pile of dirty clothes, and I always find out we are low on laundry cleaning essentials late at night when I go to put a load into the washer.
3. TAKE A CLOTHING INVENTORY:
August is prime time for back-to-school clothing sales. Before you head out, go through your kids' closets and eliminate everything they have outgrown. Once you can see what the kids have, you will better understand what you need to buy for back to school. Don't pass up the sales on jackets and pants, either. I know it's hard to buy warm clothes in this Inland Empire heat, but I always get great deals on jackets in August. The best part about this is that they are hanging in the closet and ready for those cool September nights that are just around the corner.
4. ORGANIZE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
Create a binder for essential documents like immunization records. Then, as you're filling out those emergency forms and field trip papers this year, you will love having all that information at your fingertips. If your child has an IEP or a 504, ensure those documents are organized and re-familiarize yourself with those goals and accommodations.
 BONUS TIP |
This is a great time to review your family's emergency plan, including contact information and pickup arrangements. Make sure the kids know what to do in case of an emergency, whether they're at school, home, or elsewhere. Don't forget to create a secret family codeword with a rule that they only go with someone, including extended family and friends, if they know the family codeword. This can also be helpful with the rise in scammer AI calls.
5. PLAN YOUR MEALS:
Meal planning for those first few exhausting weeks of school is essential to helping your household run smoothly. Consider some freezer/slow cooker meals for dinner the first week. Packaging up fruit for lunches for the whole week, stocking up on lunchbox essentials or filling your fridge with snacks will help keep packing lunches a breeze. Also, don't forget to plan some quick and easy breakfast options for those hectic mornings. My family LOVES smoothies for breakfast in the morning. They are fast and easy to make, convenient for taking "on the go," and healthy. We add kale, protein powder and chia seeds with our fruit and yogurt for a delicious breakfast that I feel good about the kids drinking.
6. RE-ESTABLISH MORNING ROUTINES:
Start getting the kids back on a school sleep/wake schedule at least two weeks before school starts. It might be tough, but it will make the first week of school much easier when everyone is already adjusted to the new routine.
7. TAKE CARE OF CAR MAINTENANCE:
The new school year kicks off a hectic time of school carpool lines, sports practices, music lessons, etc. ... and that means more and more miles on your car with less time to have it serviced. Don't wait; get your vehicle into the shop now, and you can check this task off your to-do list.
8. SCHEDULE "ME" TIME:
After a busy summer, it’s important to carve out some time just for yourself. Plan a day to do something you enjoy before the school year begins because, once that first bell rings, your time will be in high demand!
