From Chaos to Calm: Back to School Tips For Moms

Gearing up for the back-to-school season? These back-to-school tips for moms will help you prepare for the new school year!

The end of summer brings excitement for kids and a sense of relief for parents who are eager to get back to a consistent routine. Without planning, however, the back-to-school season can be pure chaos, particularly for busy moms. Between work, summer activities, and the daily grind of household chores, finding time to organize back-to-school activities can feel overwhelming. We have created a guide to help you transform the chaos of back-to-school season into a calm and organized routine that works for you and your family. In this article, we’ll share simple and effective back-to-school tips for moms and families.

By following these tips, you’ll be ready to tackle the new school year with confidence and ease.

Plan Ahead with a Back-to-School Checklist

One of the best ways to start getting organized for the upcoming school year is to create a back-to-school checklist. A checklist will help you keep track of everything that needs to be completed before the first day of school.  Some vital tasks to include on the checklist are back-to-school shopping and scheduling appointments (haircuts and doctor appointments).

Once you complete your checklist, create a plan for completing the tasks on the checklist.  Checking off the completed tasks on the checklist will give you a sense of accomplishment and make the process less daunting. Grab a pen and paper and start making your back-to-school checklist!

I often like to create a brain dump where I dump all of my thoughts on paper.  After I place all of my thoughts on paper, I categorize the items on the list and make a plan to address the tasks.

 

Buy School Supplies

One essential task on every mom’s back-to-school checklist is purchasing school supplies. Before the first day of school, make sure to purchase school supplies that your child will need for the upcoming school year. Schools often include on their website a list of supplies for each grade level. Many states now have tax-free back-to-school shopping days which helps save families money so be sure to check to see if your state has tax-free shopping days.

Once you have purchased all the necessary supplies, label everything with your child’s name to ensure they do not get lost or mixed up with other student’s belongings.

Tip: Check your child’s bookbag on the last day of school.  Some teachers return supplies that were not used and can be used for the upcoming year.

Also, set aside time to go through your child’s clothes, sorting through their clothes and shoes.

First, take everything out of the closet and dresser drawers and sort items into piles based on what still fits and is in good condition and what needs to be replaced. This will give you a good idea of what you need to purchase.

Next, make a shopping list based on what your child needs. Don’t forget to take into account any dress code requirements for your child’s school. If you’re on a budget, prioritize items that will get the most wear, like comfortable shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits, or basics like solid color t-shirts and leggings.

If your child’s clothes and shoes are still in good condition feel free to skip this step!

Schedule Doctor and Dentist Appointments

Also include on your checklist, appointments for your child if necessary. Review their immunization record, depending on their new grade they may need updated shots.

By taking care of these appointments ahead of time, you’ll avoid the stress of trying to squeeze in appointments during the school year. Remember how busy life can get.

Re-Establish or Create Routines

A few weeks before the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to begin re-establishing routines. If you don’t have routines don’t stress (take this time to create new routines for your family).

Children have been on summer break which has come with a lot of free time (well-deserved free time) that often does not include many routines or structure. Getting them back into the swing of things before school starts allows for less stress for you and the kids.  Slowly working their way back into the routines and allows you to make adjustments as needed.

The easiest routine I always start a week before school is reimplementing their school bedtime. Remember that sleep is a vital component of a successful school day!

Some other routines to consider are:

Morning routine

When waking each weekday, have a plan.  As a mom, I have to wake up before my kids. This may seem counterintuitive but waking up even 15-30 minutes before your children can allow you to experience the calm before the chaos.

You can use this time to meditate, exercise, read, or simply get dressed before the kids wake up.  These moments set the tone for your morning and day.

Next, have a plan for when the kids wake up.  Do you want them to eat breakfast first, getting dressed last or will they first get dressed eating breakfast after?  Will they eat breakfast at school and only need to complete their hygiene routines?

The order of how you complete your morning activities should work for you and your family.

It’s also important to time your morning routine to ensure you will have enough time for your kids to arrive at school on time.  In addition, take into consideration the time that you will need to commute to work.

This article details how to set your morning up for success!

Tip: A good rule of thumb is to hold off on your technology in the morning.  It’s amazing that even when I plan to be on my phone for just five minutes, that time will go by so quickly and before I know it 30 minutes have passed.

Night Routine:

Night routines can make or break your mornings.  In the afternoon, take a few minutes before bed to set out your clothes for the next day, pack your bookbags, and prep breakfast. Doing these tasks the night before can save you time in the morning and minimize stress knowing that when you wake up, important tasks that need to be completed are done! Always strive to:

• Prep lunches
• Lay out tomorrow’s clothes
• Clean the kitchen

Tip: Depending on their age have your children help with the night routine.  This teaches them responsibility and makes the process go by quicker.

Homework routine

The dreaded word homework is another routine that will need consideration.  Find a space and set a time for your children to complete their homework each weekday.

Creating a dedicated homework space not only helps your child focus but also helps them establish a routine. They’ll know that when they sit down in their homework area, it’s time to work.

During homework time, I also try to check their folders for any papers to read and sign.  Our kitchen works out great as our homework space.

Having them in the same room also allows me to help them if needed on their homework.

Plan Your Meals

Speaking of dinners, deciding what’s on the menu on the whim can be stressful, especially at the beginning of the school year.

By planning your meals, you can save time and reduce stress, a win-win for all.

Create a weekly meal plan. Start by identifying meals you’ll need to prepare each day. Then, write a list of the ingredients you’ll need for each meal and take stock of what you already have on hand.

Happy Mom Hacks has great ideas for back-to-school snack and dinner ideas.

Next, pick a day to place a grocery order or physically go grocery shopping.  The extra planning will make your evenings go so much smoother!

 

Final Thoughts For Back To School Organization Tips For Moms 

Mastering back-to-school organization as a busy mom may seem stressful, but with the right approach, it can be a simple process. By following these practical back-to-school tips for moms, you can welcome the back-to-school season with ease.

Remember to stay flexible and give yourself grace as you navigate the busy weeks ahead. I would love to hear how you conquer the back-to-school season.  Drop your back-to-school tips for moms in the comments.

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