I am not quite ready for back-to-school mode yet. Maybe because we’ve had a busy summer or haven’t done as much swimming as usual, but I am just not ready. However, regardless of my feelings, that time is here. The stores have had their tax-free shopping weekend, my teacher friends are heading back, and it is almost time. Now how to get ready for it?

Start the Back-to-School Morning Routine

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If you are like most families, the routine has slipped a bit in the summer. It is hard to feel like bed when it isn’t even really dark out. The easiest way I’ve found to help get people used to the new bedtime is to get up earlier. I know I never wanted to go to bed at 9:30 (that is ridiculous!), but when my alarm started going off at 5:15 am, suddenly the next night a 9:30 bedtime looked good. So start the routine by getting the kids used to getting up. Back up the time from when they need to leave the house to make sure there is time for everything they need to get done.

If you homeschool, you have more flexibility on your back-to-school routine since the kids only need to travel to the kitchen or schoolroom, but it is a good idea for everyone to get back into a more structured routine. Plus there will be co-op days and field trips when you will need to get out the door at a certain time.

My youngest really needed the routine, and she thrived on having her personal schedule with all her chores and when everything needed to be done. The other kids were just fine with a less comprehensive list, just working off my master schedule (I’m a list/Excel nerd).

But the point is to have a routine that works for your family. Each year I would re-work the routine. Some years it was to accommodate a new baby’s schedule, other years it was a teen’s need for the car to go to work. Every year has its own challenges, so take some time before the school semester starts to get your morning routine mapped out.

If you feel like you need extra help with figuring out your routine, I highly recommend Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Mornings course. I really got a lot of insight for my routines from it.

Figure Out Your Evening Routine

Once you have your morning plan in place, figure out your evening routine. Your back-to-school evening routine will need to account for everything that needs to be done to help the next morning go smoothly. Do kids need lunch packed? Money? Signed permission slips? One of the most important time-savers is to lay out clothes the night before, including shoes. That will save the last minute hunt for one shoe, any shoe, just one that matches one of the others.

The next thing to prepare will be the backpack, everything that needs to go back to school should be in the backpack the night before, and placed somewhere for when your kids are ready to walk out the door. I remember times that we did not do this on homeschool co-op days, we were inevitably running late scrambling for books, supplies, and handouts for classes. Young children will need help to pack their bags, especially since they need the weight distributed, but let them do as much of the packing as they can. As they get a bit older, you will just have to do a quick check.

At the start of the year, make sure that you have transferred all the school activities onto the family master calendar. That way you can look at the calendar the night before and make sure all those permission slips are handled or the kids have a decent outfit for picture day. It is also a good idea to check the calendar before you go shopping to make sure any upcoming events don’t take you by surprise.

Have a Designated Spot for Each Child’s Stuff

Once you have the backpacks filled, what happens to it? You could have a spot for backpacks right by the door. If you choose to hang them make sure the hangers are anchored securely. Those bags can get heavy! Or you might choose to have each child keep theirs in their bedroom. Look at your needs and space, but pick a spot and make sure it is used.

For a while, my kids hung their backpacks on the backs of the kitchen chairs. That way they were ready to grab as soon as they had breakfast. Of course, we had a few tipped over chairs from the weight of the bags…and the aesthetics of the kitchen were a bit of a mess, but it worked for us.

And then there is the “other stuff”; instruments, gym or sports bags, lunches, etc. Where are these going so nothing gets left behind? At least for the first few weeks, it may help to have a checklist by the door so everyone can make sure they have all their stuff. And mom, it is important for the kids to realize that this is their stuff. Not yours. Teach them young that they are responsible for their stuff, this will be a characteristic they need to be successful.

Have a Designated Spot for Paperwork

School paperwork can be the bane of any parent’s existence. So here are a few tips for dealing with the mess.

• • Have the kids empty the backpacks every night. Go through and sign, file, put events on the calendar, and toss trash.
  • For papers that are needed for a later date, have a cute basket or an organizer. One set I have liked is the stackable desk organizer. If you have wall space, I love the one pictured below.
  • Remember to look through your papers at least weekly.
  • For homeschooling, we used our organizer for the kids to put assignments in. That way I would be aware of items that needed grading.  I love this clear one because it makes it easy to see if you have items in the slots.

Organize Study Spaces and Supplies

For years, our study space has been the kitchen table. Every year for back-to-school I would weed out the bookshelves, organize supplies, and prep for the new year. Now that I am down to one in school, I am doing less buying and more weeding (yay!).

As the kids got older, they tended to find what space worked for them. Some liked the sofa to be near people and yet not bothered by them. Some studied in their room, either at the desk or on their bed. Our main group study and instruction area, however, was always the kitchen. Which meant the kitchen was always a bit messy with books and paperwork.

My youngest had her desk in the kitchen so I would be available to help her if she needed it. However, last year she barely used the desk, preferring to take her work to her room. This summer she decided to move her desk to her room, because everyone had been using the desk as a convenient dumping ground for stuff. Now that the desk is gone, we are forced to find actual homes for items. I highly recommend getting rid of places that people can just dump stuff. Our kitchen looks more open, the desk is being used for studying, and my daughter loves having all her books and study materials in her own space.

Do What Works for Your Family

The best preparation for back-to-school is to figure out what spaces, routines, and plans work best for your family. This may change from year to year (and probably will). So take a deep breath and enjoy your back-to-school planning.