Back to School Home Organization Tips
Posted by Eric Skates on
School may be already here for some or just on the horizon for others. This school year’s beginning looks a lot different than in years past. Whether you have your children home with you every day, some days or they’re back to school full time, we have the organization hacks to keep life running smoothly in your home when life outside may not be as certain.
Bonus tip: Some of these organization tricks can also be applied to a home office if you are still working from home and in desperate need of your dining room table again.
Paper and School Supply Organization Tips
Important papers are usually the first to get shoved down deep in a backpack or slip behind the desk in that tiny crack by the wall. Instead of finding that permission slip five years from now, create an inbox just for you.
Forgot the project that’s due tomorrow, or didn’t make it to the store to pick up supplies for that last-minute homeschool activity? Create a stash of items you never know when you’ll need, but will certainly use them at some point in the year while they’re on sale, for example poster boards or stencils. It might also be a good idea to stock up on the items that are new to the back to school list this year.
School supplies don’t stay in their boxes for long, eventually, you can’t find the other forty-nine pencils you bought in the fifty pack. So finding a space-saving, yet memorable spot for all the extras is a must.
Study stations are important to reduce the fighting between siblings and distractions during homeschool or homework time. Check out this handy DIY divider to use during study time.
Routine/Schedule Organizer
Have your schedule ready to go? Practiced it with the kids? First day back and they’re moving as slow as the sleepy bear they are acting like?
Displaying the new routine in fun, colorful ways, and then directing your child to the display is an easy way to remind them.
Have a tech savvy teenager who needs help with their activities? There’s an app for that! The Cozi family organizer helps remind all your family members what activities are happening and what changes might have been made to the schedule.
Room Organizers
Following a schedule and a detailed routine, but still having trouble getting out the door? It happens, but if it keeps happening maybe it’s your unorganized kitchen, bathroom, or misplaced keys that are constantly having you running out the door five minutes later than you need to be. According to a research study, Americans spend an average total of 2.5 days a year looking for lost items.
Perhaps a command center is what you need in your home. A spot for all the important papers, information, and schedules. Plus, a front door organizer system is an option with your empty foyer. One spot for the morning rush items is your biggest help!
Home organization doesn’t have to be stressful! Try one idea at a time and see how you like it. Adjust as needed for your family and try one method at a time.
Starting school, whether in the home or outside of the home, can be daunting and stressful. So don’t force all of these new routines and projects into a small time frame.
Make it a fun project with the kids and allow them some responsibility to create a routine or organization system! They will be more likely to follow through if they help get it started.
Hopefully some of these home hacks will help keep your family organized, no matter what school might look like for your kids this year.
Just as home organization is important, so is your mortgage! EPM is here to help with that, by phone or online. You can reach us toll-free at 877-255-3554 or start your journey to homeownership online by finding a Mortgage Loan Originator in your local area.