23 BEST Back to School Organization Tips For Moms
Head into the school year feeling prepared and organized with these back to school organization tips for busy moms.
Have the transition back to school be a breeze with these 35 invaluable tips to help moms tackle the back-to-school rush.
Back to School Organization Tips
Today I’m sharing some effective back to school organization ideas for busy moms.
Establish Routines
Summer usually brings flexibility, later nights and throwing routines out the window. But as we approach Fall, and the start of the school year, make sure you transition back into your routines.
Set regular bedtimes, meal times, and study times to create structure and stability for your children. Create a morning routine, after-school routine and an evening routine to help children transition easier from home and school.
Shop for school supplies
Start school shopping early. Purchase durable backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and school supplies to minimize the need for replacements throughout the year.I like to shop early to take advantage of better deals and have more options.
My kids’ school started partnering with 1st day of school supplies, a company that shops for you based on the exact school supply list provided by your teacher and school. I put my kids’ supply order during the current school year in May, for the following year and grade. It’s such a great program, check your kid’s school to see if it’s available for your school too.
Buy extra school supplies for home and during the school year when supplies start to run out and the school asks for more to be sent in (yes, this actually does happen).
Plan for After-School Activities
Often times, start of school also means start of after-school extracurricular activities and sports. And they can sneak up on you if you are not prepared. Look ahead in your calendar now and start planning out the drop off’s, pick ups, practices, sports and purchase all the hear needed for those activities.
If you are a working parent, make sure you have planned ahead for after-school care for your child. All these details sneak up on us so quickly.
Designate a Family Command Center
Having a designated area in your home for storing backpacks, lunch boxes, and important papers to avoid last-minute scrambles. In our home we use our drop area. Each child has their own hook to hang their backpack, sweatshirt and a drawer for shoes, books, projects.
Everything stays and is stored in the drop zone. It helps so much with not losing important school papers, homework, and keeps everything organized.
Prep the Night Before
Make sure your child’s backpack is packed with a water bottle, needed homework, & sweatshirt the night before to minimize morning chaos.
During my “closing shift” I reset the kitchen and make sure bags are ready to go for the next day. In my Sunday Reset Day I meal prep sandwiches and fruit for the week, which make packing lunches a breeze.
Have a Sunday Reset Routine
Spend a couple hours on Sunday or Sunday night getting everything ready for the upcoming week. If the week feels stressful and chaotic, I can guarantee having a Sunday Reset Routine will help eliminate most of that stress.
On Sunday I have my kids’ pick out all of their school clothes for the week and put them in their “clothes hanger”. This saves us so much time throughout the week and eliminates the arguments and crying around what to wear.
Meal Prep & Lunch Prep
Plan and prepare easy meals and school lunches in advance to save time during busy weekdays and ensure your family eats healthily. Plan out meals for the week ahead to streamline grocery shopping and meal preparation.
I switched to online grocery shopping almost 7 years ago and it has been the best thing I ever did for my large busy family. Research shows that you save 52 hours per year when you shop online instead of going in to the grocery store. As a busy family of four kids, I can definitely use every “extra” minute I can get.
Have a Self-Serve Breakfast Station
School mornings are busy for mom too, and it’s important to teach our kids to be independent. I set out lots of breakfast items that my kids can serve and help themselves to.
This allows me extra time in the morning to finish getting ready or tackle a few household tasks before heading out the door for the day.
Use Chore Charts
If you let the chores and child responsibility slip during the summer, you will want to print out a new chore chart, or a kids daily checklist. Start the new school year off right and keep your school age children on task during those busy mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
Create a Family Calendar
Utilize a shared calendar, either digital or physical, to keep track of important dates, deadlines, and events for each family member.
Set Up a Homework Station
Have a designated spot where all homework, permission slips, etc can go so the items do not get lost. A homework caddy is the perfect homework station. A rolling cart gives you freedom to take the cart from one room to another.
Clean Out Closets
Get ready and organized for school by cleaning out your kids closets. Purging clothes that don’t fit anymore or your child doesn’t want to wear. I hate keeping clothes I “want” my kids to wear, but also knowing they will never actually wear said clothing. Do yourself a favor and just donate it now.
Buy and use a hanging clothes organizer and have your kids pick out their clothes for the week ahead of time on Sunday during your Reset Routine. This one task will be game changing in your busy school week.
Create Efficient Laundry Routines
Get out of laundry prison and eliminate the piles of laundry by using these 8 laundry hacks.
As a busy mom of four kids, I was done with the piles of never-ending laundry. I spent some time create a laundry routine that works for me, my family and the season we are in (lots of kids + sports) and it has been game changing.
Laundry can consume your entire week if you don’t stay on top of it. Which is why I swear by doing one load of laundry per day.
To manage the sports laundry, I have a “sports” basket in my laundry room that my kids put their sports uniforms in to keep them separate from their regular daily laundry.
For more tips to create a laundry routine that works for you…
7 Genius Time-Saving Laundry Hacks for busy moms
Have a few go-to outfits for mom
between parent-teacher conferences, back to school night, sports games, and volunteering in the classroom, it is always helpful to have a few go-to outfits picked out for you so you feel cute and confident.
Set Up a Filing System
Establish a filing system for important documents such as school forms, medical records, and academic achievements.
I recently created Keep Sake Boxes for each of my four kids and I wish I had done it sooner! So easy to file away the important keep sake items that come home throughout the school year.
Organize & Stock your Car
As a family of four active and young kids, once school starts I feel we live in our car. To make the school year and after school activities so much easier, I like to pack my car with all of the essential items we will need.
I like to make sure my car is packed with snacks, school supplies to work on homework in the car, sports equipment & sports clothes, a first aid kit, a towel, and extra clothes.
For a complete list of what I pack in my car and how I keep my “mom car” organized and cleaned (even with four kids) go here.
As a busy mom who lives in her car, having the right car essential products have made all the difference in the world. Here a few of my must have items that I always have stocked in my car.
Utilize Technology
Explore apps and online tools designed to streamline organization, such as digital calendars, meal planners, and chore trackers.
Sync with Teachers
Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers to stay informed about assignments, progress, and upcoming events.
Encourage Independence
Teach your children age-appropriate skills such as packing their own lunches and organizing their belongings.
Schedule Downtime
Prioritize downtime and relaxation to prevent burnout for both you and your children.
Stay Flexible
Remain adaptable and open to changes in routines and schedules as the school year progresses.
Limit Distractions
Minimize distractions during study and homework time by establishing clear guidelines for screen time and electronic devices.
This has been a huge focus in our household lately. Technology and devices can be so helpful, but can also be hard to manage if clear rules and boundaries are not set up front.
Create a Family Vision Board
Collaborate with your children to create a vision board outlining their goals and aspirations for the school year.
Back to school organization tips Recap
Whether you have older kids in high school or elementary school children, the start of the school year is an emotional time for the whole family. So it’s a good idea to plan ahead, and use these 23 organization tips in your arsenal, so you can navigate the back-to-school season with confidence and ease.
By prioritizing organization, communication, and self-care, you can set the stage for a successful and enjoyable school year for both you and your children. Embrace the opportunity for growth, learning, and memorable experiences, and make this school year one to remember!
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