For many parents, myself included, the shift from summer holiday to back to school can be a little overwhelming. 

But, with the new school year fast approaching, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves, tap into our organizational skills, and get our homes, our children —and ourselves—geared up for success.

Let’s take this back-to-school season as a fresh opportunity to declutter and reorganize. In this post, we’ll discuss 9 action items to complete before the new school year begins. 

9 Things to Do to Get Your Family Organized for Back to School

1. Clear out old textbooks to breathe new life into your child’s workspace

First things first, textbooks and old-school assignments. Give your kids’ workspace a fresh start by recycling old assignments and donating unused textbooks.

This will make room for the new learning materials of the coming year, sparking motivation and a clear mind to embrace new knowledge.

2. Refresh their wardrobe and donate outgrown clothes

Next, clothing. As our little ones keep growing, it’s important to keep their wardrobes updated. 

Donate clothes that no longer fit and make room for new uniforms or outfits. 

If your children wear uniforms to school, take the time now to label all of their belongings in advance, including hats, jackets, and bags. 

It’s easy to lose track of these items during the school year; I can’t tell you how many hats we’ve lost in the past! 

Having their items labeled will help get them quickly returned to you if misplaced.

This simple step saves you time and potentially the cost of replacing lost items during hectic school days.

This article goes more in depth about this process: How to declutter and organize your kids’ closet before school

3. Sort through the often-overlooked socks and underwear drawer

It’s surprising how often children outgrow these items or wear them out without us noticing. We might find socks that have been living with holes for far too long or underwear that’s become too tight or too loose.

Start by pulling everything out and examining each item. Check for size, comfort, wear and tear. 

Going through their wardrobe like this could also be a good time to involve your children and teach them about the importance of personal hygiene and care for their belongings.

Read this also: 5 Tips to Teach Organization to Children

4. Organize shoes to clear up space

Our kids’ shoes take quite a beating throughout the school year. Remember, comfortable feet make for happy, energetic students!

Discarding worn-out pairs and identifying shoes that no longer fit can free up a surprising amount of space. Plus, it gives you a clear idea of what new shoes your child might need for the coming school year.

Then comes the satisfying part – reorganizing the shoe storage. 

Whether you’re using a shoe rack, cubby, or designated shelf, an organized shoe space can streamline daily routines, making it easier for your child to find and put away their shoes.

5. Have the school schedule and calendar easily accessible

Once your home starts to shape up, shift your focus to the upcoming academic calendar. 

Print out your children’s school schedule, save important dates in your phone, or stick a copy on the refrigerator. 

This simple act can make a world of difference in keeping track of their activities.

6. Plan for school breaks in advance

As you get familiar with the school calendar, look ahead at the holiday periods. 

Early planning can alleviate last-minute panic, ensuring fun-filled and restful breaks for your family.

7. Create a must-have list for the new school year 

Before you even step foot into a store or start browsing online, take a moment to sit down and compile a list of items that your child absolutely needs for the upcoming school year. 

This could include essentials like notebooks, pencils, and pens, but also specialty items like calculators or art supplies, depending on your child’s grade and subjects.

But don’t stop at the list. 

It’s also crucial to cross-check this list with the supplies you already have at home. This step helps avoid unnecessary spending and also keeps clutter at bay.

Involving your children in this process can be beneficial too. 

It teaches them the value of planning, being resourceful, and making mindful purchasing decisions. 

They also get a sense of ownership and responsibility over their own school supplies.

8. Update the emergency contact list

Don’t forget to refresh your emergency contact list. It’s crucial to have all numbers up-to-date, ensuring the safety and well-being of your children.

Send this updated list to your child’s school, update it in their own phones and share it with any other care-giver that might need it. 

Wondering how to manage your child’s digital life? Give this a read: How to Manage Your Child’s Digital Life – Tips for Parents in The Digital Age

9. Experiment with new recipes for the school year

Last but not least, revamp your meal planning. Try out new recipes for the school year and add them to your rotation. 

This will not only help to simplify grocery shopping, but also ensure that your kids are getting diverse and nutritious meals each day.

As we navigate the challenges and rewards of parenthood, these back-to-school tips for parents are meant to ease the transition and start the new academic year on a high note.

Remember, back-to-school prep is not just about the physical items. It’s about setting up our families for success, making sure that our kids—and us—are ready to tackle the new school year with confidence and excitement. 

Interesting in meal prepping? I wrote more about it here. 

To recap – here are the 9 action items to tackle before the new school year: 

1. Purge old textbooks and papers.
2. Revamp the kids’ clothing closet.
3. Check socks and underwear for wear.
4. Reorganize the shoe collection.
5. Post the school schedule visibly.
6. Schedule school breaks early.
7. Compile a shopping list of essentials.
8. Refresh the emergency contact list.
9. Experiment with new meal recipes.

For more tips and tricks on back-to-school organization, home organization, lifestyle, and much more, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram. 

I regularly share useful advice, relatable stories and plenty of encouragement for the wonderful journey that is parenthood.

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