School is almost back in session. Are you prepared for the year ahead? If you answered no, don’t worry! We’re sharing a back-to-school checklist that will help ensure your star student starts the year off on the right foot—and your sanity remains intact! Read on for tips on scheduling, meal planning, homework help and more so you and your prized pupil can enjoy a successful school year.
Back-to-school-checklist
Make this year the best one yet with these smart yet simple organization ideas!
Set up a family calendar
Keep it in a central location for easy access. Be sure to mark important school dates (e.g., tests, sports practices, teacher work days, etc.), as well as extracurricular activities and other upcoming events (e.g., business trips, weddings, etc.), so you’ll know what’s on the agenda at a glance. If you don’t want to rely on a paper or whiteboard calendar, opt for Google or a calendar app!
Make space for school “stuff”
Organize your entryway, mudroom or wherever the lunch bags and backpacks get deposited after the school day. Think wall hooks, shelves, cubbies, a bench for taking off shoes and any other storage solutions that will help keep the space looking and functioning its best.
Organize the closet and drawers
Use this as an opportunity to take stock of any clothing your child might need—and to purge any garments that they have outgrown. Having well-stocked, organized spaces can save valuable time when getting ready for school (and help cut down on complaints that they have nothing to wear!).
Shop online
Fighting hordes of back-to-school shoppers can be stressful and time consuming. Make it easier on yourself by skipping the crowded stores and shopping for clothes and school supplies online instead. Bonus: This method will allow you to quickly compare products and prices across multiple retailers!
Create a homework station
Find a private, well-lit area and stock it with everything your child needs to concentrate on their school work (e.g., desk, chair, pens). Dress up the space so it’s as stylish as it is comfortable—after all, it’s part of your well-appointed home! Get additional tips for creating a dedicated homework area here.
Set up grab-and-go snacks
Snacks help keep hunger at bay during the school day, but you don’t have to be solely responsible for packing them. Instead, set up snack stations in the refrigerator and/or pantry with a variety of healthy favorites (e.g., bananas, granola bars, individual bags of pretzels) and remind your student to take a few on their way out the door each
morning.
Meal plan and prep
The start of a new school year can be hectic. But that doesn’t mean you have to hit the drive-through or forgo flavorful family dinners! Plan a delicious, nutritious and—most importantly, simple—weeknight menu and prep your ingredients ahead of time so you can put meals together with minimal effort during the school week. Get quick and easy one-pan dinner recipes.
Although there’s no way to account for every back-to-school scenario you might encounter, we hope this back to school checklist helps set the stage for a wonderful year!
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