11 Sep Go Back-to-School Stress Free!

Getting back into a school routine after those lazy summer days can be stressful if you are unorganized. But we’ve put together a few tips to make your mornings a little easier this school year.

 Self-Serve Snack Station

Set aside a container in the pantry or fridge full of healthy after school snacks that your kids can grab themselves when they get home from school. Their hunger will be satisfied, but their appetite won’t be ruined when dinner comes.

 Dedicate a Space for Homework

Have a place where your kids can spread out and have a clutter-free area to work in. Pack a mobile supply caddy with essentials like pencils, notebook paper, post-its, and a calculator. When the kids finish their homework they can easily put all of the supplies in the caddy and clear the space.

Family Planning

It’s amazing how fast your calendar fills up as soon as school starts back. Between field trips, parent-teacher conferences, sports practice, music lessons, and school programs it can be easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A simple solution is to post a family calendar with all of the activities for each family member color coded. White board calendars are usually best because you can easily edit and stay organized.

Touch Papers Once

Make an effort to only touch papers once. If it needs to be signed – sign in! If it needs to be put on the calendar – put it on there! This is an easy way to make sure you don’t miss deadlines and papers don’t accumulate on the kitchen counter when school starts back.

Raise Responsible Kids

Make a checklist for your child to work through each morning. Include things like: make your bed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, grab your lunch and backpack. That way you know everyone will be ready without you having to look over their shoulder. It’s an easy way to have more time to get yourself ready in the mornings, without having to wake up an hour earlier!

The Keys to Organizing

Now your kids are perfectly organized and ready for school…but you can’t find the keys! We’ve all been there, but there is such an easy solution! Install a key holder right by the door so you are not scrambling to find the keys when you are already 5 minutes late getting out the door.

Mornings are so much more peaceful when you and your kids are organized. And good mornings make for great days!