3 Things You Can Do to Make Back-to-School Less Stressful
Lazy summer days are coming to an end, and a new school year is just around the corner! Are you ready for this?
Back-to-school season can be a stressful time for many families. But, there are a few things you can do around your home to get organized and make this time of year a little more manageable.
1. Create a Lunch Prep Zone
Mornings are hectic enough, so save yourself the time and energy of running around your kitchen preparing lunch for the kids. Give their water bottles, thermoses, lunchboxes, and other lunch necessities a readily accessible zone in your kitchen. Assigning a cabinet or drawer for these items can help lunch prep run much more smoothly! If your kids are able to prepare their own lunches (bonus!), make sure these items are within their reach.
2. Be Ready for Incoming Papers
Kids bring home a lot of paper during the school year, including artwork, homework assignments, and forms for parents to sign. Set up a system for sorting and processing these items as they enter your house, rather than letting them pile up. A family command center, complete with vertical file sorters, will help you stay on top of the deluge. (Check out this Studio512 clip of Sara Fritsch sharing her tips for dealing with kids’ papers and artwork!)
3. Set Up a Drop Zone
A drop zone is a designated spot for all the things you “drop” when you walk into your home: backpacks, jackets, shoes, keys, etc. If you don’t already have one, now’s the time to create one! Hooks for coats and backpacks, baskets or shelves for shoes, and a spot to place your keys will help make mornings a breeze. If you can combine your drop zone and your command center, even better! This article from Organizing Moms has several good tips for how to set up the perfect drop zone for your family.
What are your best tips for getting organized during back-to-school season? Share with us in the comments!
(And if you need some extra organizing support in your home, check out our hands-on organizing service.)