HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Feeling Unprepared for the New School Year?
Let's get you and the kiddos organized!
If virtual learning was difficult for your kids, they weren't alone. As we all anticipate the return of "normal" school, we are, admittedly, a bit out of practice. Pajamas and a bowl of cereal during social studies class? Those Zoom days are over, and those early morning alarm clocks have returned.
Ah, normal feels nice. And maybe a little tiring (but, hey, we'll take it!). Here are five big tips for making the new school year feel intentional and organized...
Set yourself up for success with these action steps:
1. PLAN YOUR WEEK BEFORE IT HAPPENS
Ever feel like life happens to you rather than you planning your life? Well, everyone learned that hard lesson in 2020. We can't control everything all the time, but we can certainly make a visual to help guide our weeks. Whether you use a shared Google calendar, a big dry-erase board, or a fun planner straight off Etsy, visualizing your schedule each week will reduce your mental load and keep your family on track.
PRO TIP: To up the ante even more, use a different color for each child or for each type of activity, and buy a pack of stickers to highlight extra important dates (you might love the stickers more than your kids will...just saying).
2. SIMPLIFY THE BACKPACK ROUTINE
Your preschooler might try to fit a favorite toy car or stuffed animal in their backpack. Your high schooler might leave old snacks unattended in their backpack all week (um, eww?). Basically, kids of all ages need a streamlined checklist to pack and maintain their school bags.
Hang a checklist of must-have backpack items near the mudroom or wherever your kids keep their school bags. If you have young children who can't read yet, make it a visual list just for them. While this list will vary depending on your child's age and school activities, you'll want to remind them to...
Pack 2-3 pens/pencils and erasers
Bring 1 notebook per class for organized notes
Bring 1 folder per class to store tangible homework
Carry a wallet with a small amount of cash (older kids)
Pack an emergency phone number list
Purge and reset their backpack every weekend
3. CHOOSE A SUPPLIES AESTHETIC
Ah…shopping for school supplies. This might be my 10 year old’s favorite thing about going back to school. For some of us, choosing new pens and pads of paper is just so relaxing - who’s with me? I know I’m not alone here ;)
Whether your kids are just starting school or about to graduate, they'll appreciate having fun, coordinated school supplies that reflect their unique personalities. As a parent, you can more easily keep track of who owns what just by looking at the colors, plus using a curated palette is actually easier on the eyes.
Be it superheroes or floral prints, your kids will feel more put together if you can help them be intentional with their supply selections. Small details and intentional choices like this have long-term affects. Your kids do notice these things!
4. have a plan for all those papers
A new school year means you’re about to be inundated with worksheets, notices, artwork, photos, report cards, and all the other “stuff” that we accumulate throughout the year.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO TOSS? EASY!
Download our new FREE guide - “ORGANIZE KIDS’ PAPERS LIKE A PRO”!
Once you know what to keep, you need to know where to put them! We have you covered there as well! Check out our new Custom Keepsake Boxes. With 28 pattern choices, a custom vinyl name, and a Memory Page for each grade…this will be as functional as it is adorable.
5. use a digital app to “keep” all of the large art pieces and things you don’t need a hard copy of
This might be the KEY to staying clutter-free this year (and every year moving forward)!
Class Keeper® Easiest School Keepsake Mobile App
This app allows you to upload unlimited images and stories to create a collection of memories for each child that you [and your kids] will cherish for a lifetime.
Here are some of the features:
Child Profiles for each child in your family. Upload a profile pic, fill in their name & birthday and personalize it with your choice of themes.
The *Keepers feature in this app is your designated placeholder to log all your favorite stories, blurbs, and tales for each child! Easily record them as they happen or in batches from the past. With the Keepers feature, you have your own library of all the darling/silly/crazy things your kid did & said!
First & Last Day Album for each grade! Simply upload the first & last day of school photos into each child’s Grade-Specific Album. Under each photo are fields to note fun facts & favorites, plus prompts & questions to gather answers that will melt you.
Easily scroll, err, swipe down memory lane! Once your first & last day photos have been added to the app, it is easy to see your child’s incredible transformation in the First & Last Day Highlight Reel. The highlight reel automatically pulls the first & last day photos you uploaded into each grade’s album into one cohesive series.
Use our exclusive link to lock in an introductory annual price, before they raise it in the next few months.
