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For those with school-aged children, the end of summer generally signifies the end of more casual schedules. I haven’t gone back to school in a long time—don’t ask how long!—but I remember the exhilaration of the first day. Purchasing new school supplies, fresh clothing, and ultimately racing out the door on that first morning. Back to school is always a whirlwind—inescapable!
I know that once you find out a fantastic strategy to keep your house tidy for the school year, it will be a lot easier to get back into the groove of things.
Finally, if you’re not ripping your hair out and can prevent any last-minute panic, we’ve done our job—here are some of the best back-to-school suggestions;
The Task List
Make a priority list to save your sanity from trying to recall everything you need to accomplish. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish before school starts, such as any school supplies you need to buy and any activities with impending registration deadlines. Then write another list of everything else you can think of to make the next few months easier for yourself and your family.
Inventory and Organization
Begin with a blank slate; it will be much easier to maintain it that way. Papers, jackets, backpacks, shoes, and sweaty sports gear will build up—but if you have a dedicated location for everything, you’ve just improved your organizing odds. Also, before purchasing any new school supplies or clothing for your children, check to see what they currently have. In the spirit of decluttering, get rid of anything that is damaged, severely worn out, too tiny (unless it is suitable for hand-me-downs), or discolored beyond repair.
Next, write a list of exactly what your children require and try your best to keep to it. Schools will also occasionally give a list of required materials for the upcoming school year, making your work a bit easier. When you go shopping with a list, you’re more likely to buy only what’s on it, which saves you money—bonus! Alternatively, you may wait a week after school begins and get everything when it’s marked down (#smart).
High-Contact Areas Should Be Sanitized
Hand cleaning and sanitizing high-touch areas have been top priorities in recent years. With the start of the new school year, it’s critical to boost the sanitizing routine, especially if your children are returning to school. Throughout the day, our hands wind up touching a lot of things. Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, handles, and any other location you know your family often contacts.
I’m sure we’ve all become accustomed to cleaning face masks, so this is just a kind reminder to make sure your child has a clean one on hand every day. It’s advisable to keep at least five face masks on hand so that you can wash them at the end of the school week. They should be cleaned separately from other clothes in hot water with ordinary laundry detergent or vinegar.
Obtain a Calendar
Hang a magnetic dry-erase calendar in your kitchen if you haven’t already to keep track of everyone’s activities. Use a different color marker for each member of the family so you can tell who is doing what at a glance. When you arrange piano lessons, ice skating practice, or receive information about field excursions or bake sales, put them on the calendar right away. I also recommend purchasing a 12-month calendar to keep track of events in subsequent months and moving them to the dry-erase calendar.
The Homework Area
It’s critical for kids to have their own study place, especially as they get older and have more homework—and I’m not talking about at the dining room table (I say that to preserve the sanity of parents, too)! If they have space in their bedroom for a desk, that’s great. Otherwise, a family room, living room, or office (preferably one without a television) will suffice. If the desk lacks drawers or shelves, consider placing an organizer on top of it. And, if you have the space, a bookshelf is a great addition because it adds extra storage space with the capacity to expand!
Our obsession for pegboards has no boundaries, and the same goes for over desks.
They’re fantastic for adding extra storage space for tiny goods such as pens, paintbrushes, and pencils. Desk lights may even be hung from them! Take it a step further by painting it in your child’s preferred color.
Encourage your children to take responsibility for keeping their homework spaces nice and tidy. Giving children the tools they need to organize their artwork, projects, and report cards will help to reduce clutter around the house. Create color-coded files for each child’s schoolwork, mementos, and vital paperwork for super-organized parents. This also makes coursework easier to discover, and at the conclusion of the school year, it can be simply sifted through to choose what is preserved and what is discarded.
Cleaning the Closets
It’s amazing how quickly the front hall closet becomes a dumping ground for… well, everything. Here’s how I keep ours clean and organized. There you have it—space for coats and bags! If you have a big hallway or mudroom, you can even build cubbies with hooks for jackets and bags as well as storage for shoes, musical instruments, and sports equipment. To keep toys and books tidy, you may also use labeled plastic boxes or baskets, or create a separate shelf exclusively for school materials. If your children have a designated area for everything, chances are they will utilize it more frequently, and you will no longer trip over their belongings.
Take up chores as a family.
Make everyone in your home a team member by including them in duties and organizing. This will also help youngsters develop a sense of responsibility for their families. Begin with easier activities for the youngest and more difficult chores for the older children. In order to promote involvement, include prizes for finishing duties.
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