5 Areas to Organize for Back to School
August 8, 2024
It feels early to think about this but the fact is August is here and my kid will be heading back to school at the end of the month. Here are the 5 areas to tidy up to get ready for back to school:
Clothing
Comparing to adults, kids clothes are easy to declutter because there just aren’t the same types of emotional attachments to their clothes so the decision is usually fairly easy.
First, does it fit? Because that is the most important thing. No matter how wonderful a garment is, if it doesn’t fit anymore, there is no reason to keep it.
Second, is it comfortable? I can only speak from my own experience but my kid will not wear anything if he finds it uncomfortable.
Third, is it still in good condition? This one is more for my standards than my kid. I will repair and mend an item if it passes the fit and comfort test but some items are simply beyond repair so it’s time to let them go even if it still fits.
School Supplies
Some schools will provide a supplies list but even without a list, it’s important to go through what you have. For this category (like every other category) you’ll want to gather everything into one spot. Leave out anything that is off limits as school supplies. Next, go through every item and let go of anything that is broken or no longer useable. Test your pens and markers for ink. Inspect what you have to see what If you have too much of one item, think about what is the right amount and then choose your favourites.
Make a list for anything you’ll need to buy before school starts so you don’t end up buying too much in a last minute panic.
Documents
This can be worksheets, permission slips, parent info, notices, homework - there are lots of different kinds of paper documents that kids bring home. Look around your kitchen, living room, bedrooms, inside backpacks and gather everything. It’s likely all going into the recycling bin but do take the 5 minutes to go through it quickly so you can have a fresh start before the school year starts.
If all the documents were scattered all over your home, it’s time to set up a spot for all the papers from school. I recommend using a magazine file as they take up minimal space, offer vertical storage and can hide the visual clutter easily. If you already have a spot, you get gold stars!
I often will use these Tjena Magazine Files from Ikea in Client sessions. They are very affordably priced at 2 for $6.99.
To-Go Food and Drink Containers
This will include everything from water bottles, food storage containers, bento boxes, sandwich bags, lunch bags, travel utensils - basically anything you use to bring food and drinks to consume outside of your home. Check if everything is still in good condition and if it suits your current needs because as kids grow, so does their appetite, which means you’ll need larger containers.
Drop Zone
When everyone gets home, where does the handbags and backpacks go? If there isn’t a clear answer, it’s time to set up a drop zone. The goal of a drop zone is to have a spot to drop off all the things you bring in when coming home. A drop zone can be part of an entryway or inside of a mud room but the key is to keep it simple so it’s easy to drop off your things on the way in and to pick it up on the way out. Consider adding some hooks on the walls or using bins under benches or inside of closets so everything will have a spot.
Having these 5 areas organized will have many benefits including helping your day run a bit smoother and reduce the stress and overwhelm caused by clutter. I hope you found these tips helpful and wish you a joyful school year ahead!