When it comes to getting ready for back to school most people focus on getting all the supplies off the school list, finding the right outfits for the fall, and getting back into a routine. Sure, that’s part of it, but without a properly functioning home, the start of the school year can be complete and utter madness. That’s why it’s best to get organized sooner rather than later. Check out these tips listed below on how to make sure your house is in tip-top shape for back to school.
Clean and Declutter
There is absolutely nothing more stressful than starting the school year off in a messy house. You can’t find anything, everyone is tripping over stuff, and to be quite honest it weighs on you emotionally. To keep the stress to a minimum, especially during this time of year, it’s best to clean and declutter the entire house. Make it a family project and get everyone to pitch in to clean up. You can make it fun by turning on some music and even having a reward at the end like a family movie night with pizza and other snacks.
Go Through the Kids’ Closets
Before you start shopping for clothes and shoes it’s best to purge what the kids already have. Remove any items that are too small, worn out, or they simply don’t wear. You may just find that they have things in their closet that are in mint condition which means you can save money during your shopping trip.
Clean Bedrooms
Disorganization at the start of the school year is enough to stress anyone out. A child who can’t find their clothes, shoes, pencils or paper is a cranky child which results in a cranky parent. You don’t want this type of vibe at the start of the year, so clean up the children’s rooms. If they’re old enough, have them pitch in. When everything has a place, it’s a lot easier to manage on the day to day.
Get Organizational Items
After cleaning your children’s rooms you may notice that there are some items they need to stay organized. Your teenager might need a new bookshelf to hold their books, your preschooler might need cubbies to keep her toys in, or your preteen might need plastic containers to store their school supplies in.
Create a Study Station
When homework assignments start coming in you want your kids to have a quiet and well-equipped space to study in. Whether this is a designated area in their bedrooms or a central area like the living room or kitchen, be sure that there are comfortable seats, a table or desk, plenty of lighting, and a place to store their studying supplies like paper, pens, and highlighters. You can also post a calendar and dry erase board in the area as a common area for posting important school papers or upcoming events.
Get the Kitchen in Order
If your kids are like most then after coming home from school the first place they run is to the kitchen to prepare a snack. You’ll want to make sure that your kitchen is not only clean and fully stocked but that you have the right appliances. Having a microwave, toaster oven, or blender available for your older children to prepare their own snacks saves you a headache. If you’re in need of such appliances but can’t afford it now, there are lines of credit or rent-to-own contracts where you can pay monthly for kitchen appliances.
Beef Up Security
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to make sure that your house is safe and secure. If you have older children who walk home after school, you want to know that they’re safe in the house. Not to mention, with increased internet use during the school year, you want to make sure your kids are protected when browsing. Consider having a smart security system installed with cameras for easy access and protection for your kids. You might also add virus protection and security features to the tech devices as well.
There is a lot of work to get done with just a few days until the school year starts, but it’s all for the greater good. Once everything is clean, organized, and in its place, the household can run more efficiently and the start of the school year won’t be so intimidating.