5 Tips for Getting Organized for the School Year
Start the School Year Off Right
The new school year can often feel like a fresh start. It's a wonderful opportunity to press re-set, establish new habits and routines, and delegate new responsibilities to your kids. Children thrive on routine- and many adults do, too! This month I'll be sharing my tips for getting organized for the school year. The majority of the advice applies to adults too, so even if you don't have children in school, you'll want to read on. There are some gems in here.
1. Before you go shopping, review your child's clothes
Let go of items that no longer fit, aren't in good condition, or they simply never choose to wear. This will help you to see what clothing your kids have, and use that to inform which (if any) additional pieces they need.
I encourage you to involve your child in this process because it helps to establish the habit of regularly reviewing their belongings to see what is still useful to them, and it instills the idea that we don't need to keep things forever, and that letting go of things is part of life. Being involved in making these decisions helps children to feel stronger, more in control of their belongings, and more independent, which will help them later in life.
2. Review the school supplies you have before buying more
Just like with the clothes, see what you have and can be used again. In the age of one-click ordering, it is often more convenient to spend 15 minutes putting together an Amazon cart than it is to gather your existing supplies and take stock of them.
But the "convenience" of easily buying items you already own can be very expensive and inconvenient in the long run. It can lead to excess items in your house, which often makes it more and more difficult to be able to find the things you need. All this clutter causes stress, both visually and in the inability to find what you're looking for. And when you can't find what you're looking for, it's easy to hop on Amazon and order another one. And so the problem compounds and the cycle continues. And on top of all that, it has a big environmental impact. (Ok, I'm realizing that was a bit of a tangent from the original topic of school supplies, but it's all true, so I'm going to leave it in there :))
3. Delegate responsibilities to your kids
What are you doing for your kids that they could be doing for themselves? Could they be setting out their clothes the night before? Washing their own laundry? Cleaning out their backpack daily or weekly? Making their lunches the night before? I started packing my own lunch in first grade, and I didn't think anything of it- it was just part of my routine. These responsibilities help kids learn valuable life skills, build their work ethic, and shows them that they have skills that are needed to help the household function, which boosts their confidence. And it helps lighten the parents' load!
4. Establish a “drop zone” for backpacks, jackets, shoes
Hooks or cubbies near the front door or garage door can be a good spot. But you don't necessarily have to buy any new organizing items to establish a "Drop Zone". You just need to establish a home and routine for these items, so they don't end up strewn about, and are easy to find the next morning. Our front door opens directly into the living room and it doesn't make sense for the space to have hooks there, so we established the routine that my three year old son immediately takes off his shoes by the door and tucks them under the couch, then takes off his backpack and hat and hangs them over the back of his (adorably tiny) desk chair in the corner of the living room, and his lunch box goes on the kitchen table. It took a week or so for the habit to stick, and there are definitely times I have to remind him, but most days he has it down.
5. Create a place for the kid paperwork
The notes home, the permission slips, the completed assignments and artwork all needs a place to land, otherwise it often ends up everywhere. This can be as simple as a letter tray or basket in a designated location where your child knows to place his papers while cleaning out his backpack, to be sorted/purged later.
Want to Really Set Your Kid Up for Success in Life? Have Them Do Chores.
I loved this article from Southern Living. Something I often discuss with overwhelmed clients is delegating. It doesn't all have to fall on you, Mom and Dad! Most pre-teens and teens can do their own laundry, make their own lunch, wash the dishes, and so on. Younger kids can help, too. One of my 3 year old's weekly jobs is to open up the new package of TP and stack the rolls into our hallway cabinet. And he LOVES it! Getting your kids more involved in the household duties not only makes your life easier, it's setting your kiddos up for success!
Back to School Organizing Special!
Room Service Home Organizing is offering a Back to School Special: New clients receive 25% OFF their first 5 hours when you follow Room Service Home Organizing and Re-Design on Facebook.
Whether you need systems for making the morning rush out the door go smoother, solutions for taming all the paperwork and art projects the kiddos bring home, help getting the kids' rooms in order, or any other organizing challenges you might have, I'm here to help! Let’s make a plan, take action, and get you to your organizing goals!