Does anyone else remember that old Staples back to school commercial, set to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”? A gleeful father is filling a shopping cart with back to school supplies, while his less-than-thrilled children look on? I still laugh out loud when I see it. I love Back to School time! Fresh school supplies, new clothes and shoes. A new classroom and new things to learn makes this time of year feel like New Year”s more than January 1st!
Whether you think of back to school as “the most wonderful time of the year”, or long for an endless summer, the new school year is here! Here are some tips for a smooth transition from school break to first day.
- Start Early. This goes for nearly everything, from packing for a vacation to work assignments. As a reformed procrastinator, I have grown to love the feeling of preparing early. That said, I apologize this post may come too late to help those of you who go back to school in early August! If you are like our family and still have weeks until the first day, now is the time to find those supply lists! One of the benefits of last year is that it is easier than ever to order what we need for curbside pick up or delivery. Making a fun tradition of back to school shopping each year (in store or online) by adding a treat or special lunch can take some of the work out of this chore!
- Make Room. Now is a great time for a fresh start! Take the time to weed out those summer art projects and piles that may have accumulated during the summer before school shopping. It helps to keep it from feeling overwhelming to have all those supplies and clothes coming in (is it me, or have school supply lists gotten crazy long??).
- Don’t forget to edit those closets and dresser drawers! If there are clothes in there that haven’t been worn much all summer, chances are good they won’t ever be. (This happens to us every year. Right when I buy the kids a wardrobe of cute items, a friend will graciously and unexpectedly give us a bag of hand-me-downs that my children love and prefer to what I bought. Happily, I have friends who are thrilled to get our outgrown clothes!) And then there are the clothes that got TOO much love! Paint stained, mud stained, worn out and outgrown clothing can go before summer officially ends. Donate these items even if they are stained, most places will recycle fabric that cant be sold.
- Shop Your Home. Organizing any school an art supplies into one place. This makes it easy to assess what you have that can be used or reused. It also creates one place where your family can look to replenish things they may need throughout the school year.
- Prepare a Homework Station. Have a homework area/supply center ready to go. Rolling carts are a practical, cost effective way to store learning supplies for each child. I started using these during remote learning for our younger children, and it has become part of the routine to take out the homework cart. It is kept stocked with everything they might need for homework or random art projects they want to do.
- Create a “Launch Area/Drop Zone”. Having an accessible, one-stop area for kids (and adults, for that matter!!) to grab and go on the way out the door is a huge time saver! Also, keeping a designated spot for papers to be returned, library books, sports bags takes away the question “where is my…?” since that is where all school related things can live when not in use. Storing shoes, coats and backpacks and in one spot makes it quicker to get out the door. One can also be set up for adults with keys, sunglasses, umbrellas, hand sanitizer, etc.
Wishing everyone a very happy new school year! Feeling overwhelmed with getting your family organized and setting up the systems to make your home work for you? Message me to set up an in-home or virtual conversation about your organization goals!
Looking for organization help, and are you in the Fairfield, CT area? Go to minimalisbliss.com to schedule a free in-home consultation.