Back to School
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sorry Santa – but it’s back to school time! Organizers tend to embrace this time because it’s inherently friendly towards order and structure – two things we love! Here are a few tips to get your crew ready for class to be back in session.
It’s the perfect time to review everything in your children’s closet. Go through and assess everything all the way down to socks (toddler moms – you may need some bribes here to get the little ones to try on anything you’re unsure of). For anything that doesn’t fit either donate, or tuck away in a labeled bin for younger siblings or friends. Make a list of items that need to be replaced so you can focus when Old Navy inevitably has a major sale over the next few weeks. Getting kids dressed for school is hard enough (Opinions! Drama!) – make the mornings just a tiny bit easier on yourself and know that when you come to a magical agreement on what to wear… at least you’ll know it fits!
As excited as we are for back to school, we know it can also mean the start of runny noses and other bugs; check to make sure your children’s Motrin didn’t expire in 2012 and make a list of other essentials to stock up on like Kleenex, hand sanitizer and band aids.
Like you did with clothes, take stock of your lunch boxes and other lunch gear – make sure each item has a matching lid and/or whatever it needs to function properly; discard anything missing key parts and see if you need a restock on items that will make life easier when you’re packing your 100th PB&J in a few weeks.
Everything. Must. Be. Labeled. Order some now so you are ready to go! Check out inchbug.com for some cute options that stand up to dishwashers and frequent use.
Create a system now so that when the paperwork starts coming home you have a designated place to take action on it, easily see reminders, etc. If something is an easy sign and return – do it right away before adding it to a pile never to be heard from again. Vertical sorters such as wall pockets work well to keep piles at bay.