Back to School Tips: How to Stay in Routine & Keep Your Family Organized.

Here Are Some Helpful Tips You Can Follow:

1. Establish a Consistent Morning Routine Mornings can be hectic, but starting the day with a predictable routine can set a positive tone for everyone. Create a checklist for the kids to follow that includes getting dressed, brushing teeth, packing backpacks, and having breakfast. Consistency is key—stick to the same order of tasks every morning so that it becomes second nature.

2. Create a Family Calendar One of the best ways to keep everyone organized is to maintain a family calendar. Whether you use a physical calendar on the wall or a shared digital one, make sure to include school events, extracurricular activities, project deadlines, and family commitments. Color-coding for each family member can make it even easier to see who needs to be where and when. This has helped my own family stay organized and not have events sneak up on us!

3. Set Up a Homework Station Designate a specific area in your home as the homework station. This space should be free of distractions and stocked with all the necessary supplies, like pencils, paper, and a computer or tablet. Encourage your child to start their homework at the same time each day, turning it into a habit that will help them stay on top of assignments. We like to also have a tray that our kids will use to empty their papers from that day into. These include graded assignments, forms to be signed, important information, etc. I then use an expandable folder to divide these papers into after the kids go to bed. This helps me not miss anything they are doing in school and helps me stay organized.

4. Plan Lunches and Outfits the Night Before Mornings are a lot less stressful when you eliminate decision-making. Imagine saving an extra ten minutes each morning! Encourage your kids to lay out their clothes and pack their lunches the night before. This not only saves time in the morning but also ensures that they have everything they need, reducing the chance of forgotten items.

5. Set Up a Drop Zone Create a designated drop zone near the entrance of your home where backpacks, shoes, jackets, and other school essentials can be stored. This way, everything is in one place, making it easy for your kids to grab what they need on their way out the door. No more scrambling around looking for missing items!

6. Review and Adjust Weekly Take some time each week to review how things are going. Are there any areas where the routine is breaking down? Do your kids need more time for homework, or are they struggling to get out the door on time? Use this review to adjust the routine as needed to keep things running smoothly. It is OKAY to change or adjust your routine if it's just not working for your family!

7. Prioritize Family Time With all the hustle and bustle of the school year, it’s important to make time for family. Whether it’s a weekly game night, a weekend outing, or just a daily check-in at dinner, these moments help keep everyone connected and grounded, making it easier to handle the demands of school and activities. Something my family likes to do is have a movie night together every Friday evening. We will go to the store and choose our favorite movie snack, then choose a movie together. I will also make it a priority to pause for at least 10 minutes each evening and devote my full attention to my family. I'll play with my kids (without my cell phone nearby to distract me), I'll ask intentional and specific questions about my husband's day and about our kids' day, etc.

8. Stay Positive and Flexible Despite your best efforts, there will be days when things don’t go as planned. It’s important to stay positive and be flexible. Adjust your routine as needed and remind your kids (and yourself) that it’s okay to have an off day. What matters most is that you get back on track.

By following these tips, you can help your family stay organized, reduce stress, and enjoy a successful school year. Remember, the key to a smooth routine is consistency!