It’s that time of year again! Summer is coming to an end and kids are getting ready to go back to school. This can be a stressful and chaotic time for a lot of families. Lazy days and summer vacations are cast away, making room for more rigid schedules and school activities. However, preparing your home can save you tons of time, allowing you to focus on the things that really matter.
One of the easiest ways to prepare your home for back to school is to createan exclusive study zone. Your home doesn’t need an actual “office space” to do so; you can create a study zone in any cozy nook! What was once a play zone in the summer can easily be remade into a creative study area. Kids are often reluctant to study or do homework, so don’t hesitate to make the space more colorful and fun! Think outside of the ‘desk.’ Hang a little cork or dry erase board with some words of inspiration for your kids!
Another way to prep the home is to create a designated area for your kids todrop their bags. This will create a good habit so that your home doesn’t turn into chaos! You can include some hooks near the front door or perhaps include this in with their study area. Just be sure your kids create a habit of dropping bags where they aremeantto be, rather than randomly all over the house.
School lunchcan be another point of stress for both kids and parents. Do you pack lunch or send them to school with some money to buy lunch? It’s usually more cost-effective and healthier to pack lunch, but it can be time-consuming if you don’t create a system. Set a menu ahead of time for the week and be sure to get your children involved! When they have a hand in creating their own lunch, they’ll be more keen to eat it.
On this same note, it’s a great time now toclean out your pantry! Get rid of any old snacks or expired foods and stock up on items that will make for quick breakfasts, lunches, and snacks during the school year. Consider foods that will be good on-the-go as you hop from meetings and after school activities to playdates and more!
Do you ever look around your home midway through the school year and wonder,where the heck did all of this paper come from?!From completed assignments and textbooks to paintings, permission slips, and more, your home may start to feel like a busy law office! Before the school year starts,create a spot for paperwork and assignments. This can be included in your child’s study space, or in a separate spot to keep that area clear. Create a habit to go through these papers every other month to clear out what you no longer need to keep.
Now, you can breathe a sigh of relief as your kids head back to school! It’s an exciting time of year that doesn’t need to be stressful. Enjoy the journey!
