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As the lazy days of summer wind down, it is time to look at home organization to help your child’s transition back to school a little easier. Switching from vacation mode to school routines can be a time of excitement and stress for many families. Setting up your home to support you and your child can make a significant difference.
Home Organization Tips For Back To School
Study Space
A quiet, well-lit area dedicated to studying and completing homework can eliminate distractions. Situate the dedicated study space away from electronics, televisions, and noise. Consider a desk or table with comfortable seating. Create an inviting space where your child would enjoy spending time.
School Supplies
Look around your home to see what school supplies you already have on hand before shopping for your child’s school supply list. Create a homework supply station using bins, baskets, or a drawer to store essential items like pencils, pens, paper, erasers, rulers, scissors, glue, and markers. Label the containers to allow your child to find what they need quickly.
Command Center
Keeping track of everyone and everything can be overwhelming. A command center, conveniently located in a central area of your home, can help you organize all the moving parts of a family with school-age children. Include a calendar for tracking important dates for each family member, a bulletin board for school notices, calendars, and reminders, and a whiteboard for daily to-do lists and notes. This centralized system can give you a sense of control over your family’s schedule.
Daily Routine
Routines help both children and parents. Start a daily routine by designating a regular bedtime and wake-up time before school starts. Try to ease the kids back into going to bed and waking up at the designated times at least a week before the start of school. This preparation can make the transition to the school year smoother and less stressful for everyone.
Plan a daily after-school schedule for homework, chores, activities, and relaxation with your child. Post the schedule in your command center so everyone can see it. Consistency will lead to a successful school year.
Lunch Prep Station
Packing lunches can be a hectic part of your morning. Simplify the process by setting up a preparation area. Designate a spot in the kitchen for lunch supplies, including lunch boxes, containers, thermoses, and storage bags. Stock healthy snacks and other items necessary for a nutritious lunch.
Encourage your children to help prepare their lunch. Doing so will give them a sense of responsibility and control over their choices.
Drop Zone
Another morning stressor is finding backpacks and school gear. You can eliminate the stress by creating an area for backpacks. Hooks or cubbies located where the children enter the home is a great way to corral all their items in one place.
This home organization tip ensures there is a place for everything. After completing homework, backpacks should be returned to the drop zone, ready for the next day.
Extracurricular Activities
Create a plan for managing schedules and equipment for your child’s extracurricular activities. To keep everything easily accessible, use a separate bin or bag for each activity.
Add practice times, games, and events to your family command center to avoid conflicts and ensure everyone knows what to expect.
Home organization can lead to a successful back-to-school season. Setting up a study area, organizing supplies, establishing routines, and creating systems for managing school gear and schedules will set your family up for less stress and a successful school year.
Here is to a smooth and successful start to the school year for your family!
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a new home, I can help. I have worked in the Pittsburgh real estate market for over 20 years and have a vast knowledge of the area. Contact me here, by phone at 412-848-3907, or by email at Kim.Esposito1@pittsburghmoves.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your real estate needs.
