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Get the school year off to a fantastic start with these 10 back-to-school organizing tips! From quality labels for your kids’ belongings to tricks to tackling the paper clutter, these tips will get you prepped and prepared for your more organized school year. Doesn’t it feel great to know you’re about to be the most organized mom on the block?
This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Hi, I’m Jennifer, homeschooling mother of three, blogger at The Life of Jennifer Dawn, and contributor here at 5 Minutes for Mom. As a former public school teacher and current homeschool mom, the back-to-school season is one of my favorite times of the year. This time of year–more than January–motivates me to get organized and set purposeful goals for myself and my family. And I must admit that all the freshly sharpened pencils and brand new boxes of crayons make my heart sing.
Yes, the start of a new school year is an exciting time. I know it can also be a super busy time and a little stressful as you try to figure out how to help your child succeed. One of the best ways to stay on your A-game during this hectic time of year is simply by getting organized.
If getting organized this school year is a goal you have for your family, you’re going to want to grab a cup of coffee (or tea), get cozy, and continue reading. Today we’re covering several mom hacks and tips that will help you get organized for the start of a brand new school year.
10 Tips for an Organized School Year
- Label everything!
Labeling your children’s belongings saves time and money by sparing you the expense of having to replace the items if they end up lost during the school year.
This is one of the simplest ways to get the school year off to an organized start–especially when you have Stick 2 Me to help. Stick 2 Me makes labeling your child’s school supplies and belongings a super easy task with their customized labels for kids.
And just look at how cute they are with their fun and unique illustrated designs…
By clicking through a few easy steps on the Stick 2 Me website, you can have a pack of 216 labels customized with your child’s name and favorite design on its way to you in no time at all.
It gets even better than that! These customizable labels are also waterproof, washable, and UV resistant. They are of the highest quality and much thicker than other labels I’ve used. They’re even able to go into the microwave and dishwasher. Wow! It’s doesn’t get much more durable than that. With a pack of the Stick 2 Me labels, you really can label EVERYTHING–shoes, clothing, water bottles, and more. These sticker will last the entire school year!
I even used the Stick 2 Me labels to put my daughter’s name on her dance gear. She’s at her dance studio a few times each week. As she and all of the dancers change outfits or slip out of their ballet slippers and into their tap shoes for their next class, she’ll never have any doubt on which slippers are hers out of the pile.
- Set up a lunch packing station.
Designate a cabinet or rolling cart in the kitchen as the lunch packing station. Stock it with food containers, utensils, napkins, non-perishables, and anything else you use to pack your kids’ lunches.This is a great place to keep lunchboxes. And don’t forget to include note cards and pens to write out encouraging notes to slip inside the kids’ lunchboxes. Making lunches can be one of the most overwhelming tasks for moms… so this is a key step towards your organized school year.
You can even keep a money jar in your lunch packing station for the days when the kids will be buying a lunch instead of packing one.
- Keep snack baskets handy.
Have a snack basket in the pantry for non-perishable snacks and one in the refrigerator for perishable snacks. Fill both baskets with plenty of healthy foods. This is a quick and easy way for the kids to grab an after-school snack for themselves.
It’s especially convenient if they need to snag a quick snack as they head out the door for soccer practice, dance class, or other activities.
- Create a homework station.
Set up a seating area in a quiet part of the home. Stock it with writing utensils, paper, and extra school supplies. A space that’s inviting and cozy will entice your child to sit and finish their homework before heading out to play. Keep it well lit, especially for older kids who need to sit there longer and learn how to take notes from a textbook. Your organized school year will be easier to achieve if your children have an organized homework area.
- Establish a routine.
Putting a routine in place can cut down on stress and keep the whole family on track. No more rushing around in the mornings calling out directions and struggling to get everyone dressed and ready. With a clear routine in place, everyone will know what to do next.
A morning routine makes getting out the door on those busy school mornings much less hectic. Post a visual of the steps the kids are expected to follow on the refrigerator so they’ll know exactly what’s expected of them. The morning routine should include tasks such as eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth, gathering belongings, and putting on shoes.
You’ll want to have an after-school routine in place too. This will make homework time, dinnertime, and even bedtime run much more smoothly. Great news! We have a fun printable for you to get on track with an after-school routine!
- Have a plan!
Set up a command station with a family calendar, menu plan, grocery list, and chore chart. This is a great way for the whole family to stay informed and on the same page.
A clear plan posted for all to see helps keep the whole family organized. And chore charts give everyone a role in keeping the home clean and organized.
- Set out clothes out for the week.
As you are folding the laundry and putting it away each week, set out the clothes each child will need for the school week. Keep these outfits separated from other clothes in a closet organizer labeled Monday-Friday.
Toss in bows and socks so your child will have everything they need to get ready each morning.
- Tame the paper clutter.
I’m sure every mama can attest to how quickly the papers can pile up at the beginning of the school year. Stay on top of the papers all year long by putting a system in place. Use a binder for each child to hold the school work and artwork you want to keep. You can even use the cute labels from Stick 2 Me to label the binders with each child’s name. As the years go on, these binders are sure to become a cherished keepsake.
A filing system will help you keep other papers sorted. Bonus points if you implement a color-coded system! Create files for papers that need to be filled out, signed, returned, or saved. Green folders are great for papers that need an action taken on them like signing and returning. Red folders are ideal for the papers that stop at your desk and simply need to be stored.
Go through your child’s backpack each evening to stay on top of the paper clutter. Ensure that each page makes it to the proper place.
- Have a designated spot for bags, shoes, and other items.
By having hooks for backpacks and baskets for shoes, you can keep your kids’ belongings neat and tidy. Coats, bags, shoes, and umbrellas will remain easy to grab on the way out the door each morning. And the kids will know exactly where to place these things as they come through the door each afternoon.
- Prepare the night before.
Take care of as many things as you can the night before. Prep breakfast, pack lunches and check backpacks ahead of time so your mornings are much less rushed.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Jennifer Dawn, a contributor here at 5 Minutes for Mom, and the blogger behind The Life of Jennifer Dawn.
Talk with us: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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Josh Allen says
I use it on my children’s stuff so that their things may not get exchanged in the school.
Kayla klontz says
I keep everything organized by pre planning and writing things down on my very organized calendar.
Gulchekhra Rakhmatullaeva says
We used to use Ikea drawers for keeping books and notebooks organized by the subject. And for the clothes small bins from a dollar store so that kids can find their clothes easily.
Tori says
I put hanging sweater holders in closets so that daily clothes for school are ready in the mornings to make it easier before school.
Robin Abrams says
Writing a daily reminder list and calendar on the fridge.
Denise M says
I keep my family organized by making sure I have things packed the night before – including lunches, and making sure clothes are clean for school
Irene W says
Prepare in advance and keep a list
Casey Hoad Stratton says
Excellent ideas…Gladly I do a lot of your suggestions to keep places for everything…except all of that darn 1st day paperwork..the past few years I label folders and store until I feel I no longer need the information.
Maria McLachlan says
Routine helps keep them organized and having a place for new items so they return things from where they get them.
Sally Gearhart says
My planner is my best friend these days and keeps us organized. It helps me keep track of important appointments and tasks.
Lisa bolduc says
Have a joint calandar with hubby so we both know what going on and won’t miss stuff
darci paice says
I put 3 outfits each night in a bin organized (tops, bottoms, unders and socks) together for easy morning ready to dress and a choice is made by the child!
Tiffany Rotulo says
I use a large colander that I hang on the wall. I write everything on it.
Kristie speakman says
I keep socks underwear u inform separates in o e drawer so my son can pick his own clothes and everything mixes and may hes.
Kristie says
Matches…spell check hates me
Jenny Major says
I keep organized by having a family calendar to keep us to to date
Janie says
These look like so much fun!
Jonnie says
We have a color coded white board with each persons activities and appointments
lynn clayton says
WE HAVE A FRIDGE CALENDAR SO WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING
WE ALSO HAVE A BIN BY THE DOOR THAT WE FILL NIGHTLY SO WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED IN THE MORNING
Tara Gauthier says
We use google calendar to keep track of all our activities/appointments etc, color coded by person!
Maryanne says
Shared calendar
Marc-Andre Taillefer says
We use a shared calendar.
James Galea says
It looks really great. I’m definitely going to suggest these organising tips with my friend. Thanks for sharing and keep up the nice work 🙂
Sarah says
My daughter is a talker when it comes to lunchtime at school which doesn’t leave her with a lot of time to eat. I try to pack healthy snacks and small bits and pieces of different foods that she can graze through. Thanks!
SHAYNA says
I TRY TO PREPARE EVERYTHING AHEAD OF TIME. I MAKE LUNCHES THE NIGHT BEFORE, SET OUT THE CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT DAY, THAT WAY WE DON’T HAVE TO RUSH AROUND.
Clare O'Brien says
We have a family calendar where everyone adds their individual activities!
Steph says
I like to make lists and check off items
Christina O says
Using a wall calendar.
Cassie says
I plan out dinners for two week periods and set all clothes out for on Sunday for the rest of the week. I also keep a calendar of activities on my phone. I love the idea of a lunch packing
station but if I don’t keep them on the top shelf in the pantry the kids eat most of it as snacks instead.
Charity Banman says
I have a day planner that I take everywhere with me. It has all of our activities written down so I always know what is going on and don’t double book.
Megan B says
Family calendar and prepping the night before
Wendy R. says
I use lists to try and stay organized and on top of things.
HEIDI C. says
I keep a monthly calendar in our kitchen so that we can keep track of activities and events.
Andrea Hickey says
We have an extra large calendar in the kitchen to write down appointments, birthday’s and I also meal prep on it as well.
Mary Ann Lau says
My daughter has a checklist for chores each night, which includes homework, some physical activity, feeding pets and cleaning her room. She gets points for each task and adds them up at the end of the week. Points=$.
Sunnymay says
I write dates and times for activities and events on a 2 year calendar that I carry in my purse. If there’s an address or phone number for the event, I write it in small letters on the date. I also use sticky notes to make a short list on the inside covers of my calendar for a must-get shopping list for food, clothes and beauty care items. It feels good to cross things off my ever expanding and updated lists.
ken ohl says
I must say my wife is the one that keeps us on schedule
Laurie P says
We’ve got a calendar in just about every room.
Erin McSweeney says
i always have lists going so nothing is forgotten
Edye says
lots of lists!
Jennifer Carroll says
We use a planner.
Nannypanpan says
I have totes for each kids sport supplies so they are easily found when needed for soccer/practice
Kristy Reid says
I have a family calendar on the fridge. I write down all the important events so that I know what to expect each day/week.
John Hubbard says
By being persistent
Meagan BS says
We use a shared calendar.
janine a says
we have to do lists for the week to get organized
Melissa Fowers says
I use a planner daily to keep our family organized!
Sara Perrera says
I meal plan, plan in a planner and just generally stay on top of things. I LOVE the homework station idea. I can’t tell you how many times my son gets up to hunt for a different pencil etc. Having it all in one place for him would speed up homework.time.
Melanie says
Make patterns in the morning to make sure every one leaves with what they need
Aarone Mawdsley says
shelving and labels for sure
Karley Moore says
I tag the bottom of everyone’s socks with a Sharpie marker, which works for us because we all have different initials. It makes sock sorting so much easier!
Julie Bolduc says
We try to put things back where we got them from that’s how we try to stay organized
Wanda B says
A family calendar helps tremendously!
Calvin says
We have a station for a white board for notices and calenders
Chrissy says
My husband and I have a joint google calendar that we use to make sure we know where we are supposed to be an when. We joke that if it’s not on the calendar it doesn’t happen!
Anne Derkat says
We have a big calandar on the fridge that lists everyones appointments and actictivies.
Cindy Peterson says
Weekly Meal prep so we are not running around trying to make lunches at the last moment
Anne says
A large calendar with everyone’s schedules and activities recorded each day and week. Baskets and cubbies.
Judy hunting says
I have a wipe off calendar which I update almost daily
latanya says
putting everyone’s schedule on a shared family calendar
Mari says
A central calendar in the kitchen, snack bins in the pantry and prepping what I can ahead of time.
ColleenMarie says
We keep a bog calendar in the kitchen to keep things organized.
Linda says
I keep my family organized with a calendar of activities.
Janet W. says
I keep my family organized by keeping an organized, detailed calendar!
winnie says
we have a kids calendar where they write down their own school events so they can keep track
Susan Smith says
I keep my family organized by having a calendar on our fridge to keep track of everybody’s activities and appointments!
nicky says
I use a big calendar on our fridge to keep track of everybody’s activities and appointments!
Sab Edwards says
I’m not that organized so this would help Em and I a lot lol
Deborah Caudill says
I have color coded baskets with each family member’s name on them and put toys, books and other items in each person’s basket and then they are responsible for cleaning out their basket. They also put their school items in their basket when they come in the door. I also keep another bin where they put their teacher’s notes, report cards and permission slips that need to be signed or that need my attention.
Anne Perry says
We stay organized with baskets and binders.
Vickie L Couturier says
i make lists and get everything ready the night before so the mornings ate not so crazy,,it really works for me
Nancy says
Making lists and checking items off as we do them helps keep us organized.
Angela Saver says
I keep us organized by keeping a calendar of all appointments. I also take advantage of filing so that I can go to the filing cabinet to find things quickly when something is needed.
Sara says
Preparing the night before really helps us stay on track!