I have a love/hate relationship with entering a new school year. I hate to see the long, laid back days of summer come to an end. But, I love the opportunity to push the reset button on our routines and get back to some structure. Our home definitely operates more smoothly when everyone knows what to expect. Here are a few ways that you can prepare for a new school year to get everyone started off on the right foot:
3 Weeks Prior to School Starting:
- Have kids try on clothes, shoes, rain jackets, winter coats, winter gear, and athletic gear. Make a list of everything that needs to be replaced.
- Box up clothes that no longer fit and donate or store.
- Order items that need to be replaced from your try-on list.
- Plan Fall school picture outfits.
2 Weeks Prior to School Starting:
- Purchase back to school teacher gifts.
- Find backpacks (how do backpacks get lost over the summer?!)
- Find and clean out lunchboxes
- Realize that you never put away all of the school papers that came home in May and sort them. Oh, is that just me??
1 Week Prior to School Starting:
- Plan First Day of School celebration (see my post here for a really simple back to school tradition).
- Restock snacks and school lunch supplies.
- Get haircuts.
- Hold a family meeting to review things like new routines, bedtime routines, chores, family goals, etc. Grab a free back to school family meeting agenda here.
Night Before School Starts
- Set out First Day celebration supplies
- Set out backpacks and lunchboxes
- Set out clothes and shoes for the first day
- Review morning routine with kids
I hope some of these tips help you feel prepared going into a new school year! I typically find that when I do the prep work ahead, things run so much more smoothly. Probably because I am calm and feel prepared! Happy first day of school!
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