Back to School? Yes, already. It’s time to organize for school. I’m sure this brings mixed feelings. For me, this is the first year that I am not setting up a classroom and preparing for a new bunch of kindergarteners. This year I’m enjoying spending time with my own children. In years past, my back to school organizing meant getting my classroom ready, but since my own children are not school-aged yet I haven’t had to get things organized at home. However, I am constantly looking for new ways to keep school things organized for myself in the future and for my clients.
There are so many things that come along with back to school: school supplies, lunches, backpacks, important papers, the list goes on. It can get a little overwhelming. Planning ahead and getting your home ready for everything that comes along with school-aged children can make for a smooth ride this school year. And the best part? I’ve done some of the work for you. Keep reading for pictures and inspiration to get every area of your home ready for back to school.
Drop Zone
This “drop zone” can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. The important thing is that you have some type of organized storage.
Having a place for important papers that come home from school or need returned to school is also important. Again, find a system that works for your family. It can be as simple as a stacked organizer where each child has a slot, or a clipboard for each child like pictured above. The Container Store has some great options for this.
Lunches
I don’t know about you, but I learned quickly that packing lunches can be time consuming and a drag if it’s not organized. Before, I packed a lunch for my boys for the babysitter, a lunch for myself, and sometimes a lunch for my husband. Running all over the kitchen to different areas was time consuming and it was the last thing I wanted to do every night before bed.
That was until I came up with a better system for our family. Creating a lunch packing station. I know it sounds redundant but you have to find what works best for your family. If you are packing all the lunches you may find that keeping all the lunch boxes, pantry type items (bread, peanut butter, whatever it is) together is easier. Organizing the refrigerator is also important. Create a basket with all of the fruit (already portioned if possible), and another with yogurt, cheese, or any other side items. Then you can easily open the refrigerator and grab one thing from each basket. This may mean more time on Sunday preparing for the week, but I promise it will be worth it when your late night lunch packing time takes just minutes.
Clothes
Amanda says
Love this article. Never know what to do with my kids memories!
simplifyinstyle says
So glad you enjoyed it! Check back in September. I will be blogging all month long about paper organization and will have even more tips on what to do with all of the artwork and other papers that come home from school.