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August 27, 2012 by: Shell

6 Back to School Organization Tips

back to school tips

Today marks the start of a new school year for my family. No more lazy days of summer where my boys practically lived in their swim trunks and whatever shirt they happened to throw on just to get themselves to the beach or the pool. They need to actually be dressed appropriately, get to school on time, and arrive at school with everything they need.

Here are a few ways we are headed back to school a little more organized this year:

school backpacks

1. Backpacks: Backpacks have a basket by the door where they go. Where my thumb is pointing? That’s where I put my boys’ names: Clearly visible if you go to grab the backpack by one of the straps, but not visible if they have their backpacks on. This is my stranger-danger mama paranoia coming out: no one can see their name on their backpack and call out for them.  If the back is black or another dark color, try a silver Sharpie to write their name- worked great on mine!

school clothes

2. Clothes: I found a hanging closet organizer with five shelves that I’m using to plan my boys’ outfits this year.  Top, bottom, underwear, and socks for each boy for each day.   With my three, sometimes I get confused as to who wore what when, not to mention the mad dash that can happen in the mornings as we try to find an outfit for each. This organizer should get us set for the week. My plan is to put a new outfit into the spaces as I empty them out: that way, I know they are having their clothes rotated and not just wearing the same five outfits over and over. But if time doesn’t allow for that, I’ll refill on the weekends.  I plan to get another of these for their soccer clothes: Give each boy a shelf for their practice clothes, one for all their shinguards and socks, and another for their uniforms.  I found my shelf organizer at Walmart for $7.

school snacks

3.  School Snacks:  Fill a Rubbermaid/Tupperware/etc. tub with school snacks. If you buy something that needs to be separated into smaller containers(like the pretzels one of my boys requested), you can fill them all at once and then store in the container. My boys can have their pick of what they’d like for a snack, easily found all in one place.   I do want to find an even bigger container to store more snacks, as I find on sale, and keep the smaller one where my boys can reach it.

school lunches

4. Meal planning: Dinner is always easier around here if I meal plan for the week.  I usually plan 4 meals a week, knowing that sometimes something will come up and we end up grabbing something quick or out in town or that we can have leftovers.  My two youngest always pack their lunches, but my oldest somethings buys.  I mark that he needs a lunch on this small calendar on our fridge.  Small magnetic weekly calendars can be found in the $1 section of Target or Michaels.

school paperwork

5.  Paperwork: I have one plastic folder for each of my boys, for whatever paperwork they bring home.  While a lot of it overlaps for my two in the same school, I like to have it divided by child so that if I’m looking at Christmastime for the “about me” the kindergarten teacher sent home at the start of the year, I only have to sort through the papers in one folder instead of through a whole pile of papers.

school calendar

6. Calendar: I need a planner that can fit in my purse so I always have it with me. I mark off days off, early release days, special events at school, soccer practice, my schedule and my husband’s, so it’s all in one place.

What do you do to stay organized for back to school?

Whatever hatred saves the number.

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Comments

  1. Making It Work Mom says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:50 am

    We have the snack cupboard. Everything is out of the box and put into bins ready to grab and go. We also strategized some breakfast options because my girls are horrible at eating in the morning. Backpacks have a spot by the front door. I am still trying to figure out a way to keep their papers organized that they bring home. Not quite sure what to do with those. We start school tomorrow. We are ready, but not as ready as I would like to be!

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:22 pm

      We keep breakfast very simple here. Either cereal or waffles and then fruit and milk. I’m thinking of maybe making a big batch of waffles early in the week and then having the boys toast them instead of making them each morning. But, we’ll see. 

  2. Kmama says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:09 am

    I love the shelf organizer for the closet!  What a fabulous idea.  I might steal that one…even though I always get the kids clothes ready at night and take them downstairs for dressing in the a.m., this might lend a little more responsibility for Buddy.

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:23 pm

      Super easy and cheap to do that one! 

  3. Barbara says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:19 am

    These are some great tips, even for someone organized-adverse like me!

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      I really suck at organization- but this is my attempt to do better this year!

  4. Angel says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:22 am

    I have to give credit to the elementary schools in our area. The teachers have a folder with a velcro seal that they send home with the kids every evening filled with papers. Unless they have homework the folders come in on Friday and are sent back on Monday, having to be signed by one of us to let her know we saw the contents.

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      Ours do something similar- the folders I have at home are just for where I store those papers so I can find them later!

  5. Jessica says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Love these tips because they are doable. I hate when I read organizational tips that involve building an addition onto the house and color coding the whole room.

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:25 pm

      No big-budget ideas here. Just simple tips!

  6. ilene says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:32 am

    Love the school snack bin  idea!!!!  And meal planning.  I really have to get back into that routine.  Thank you for the great tips! 

  7. Julie says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:55 am

    That’s a good idea for a snack bin – never thought of that.  However makes a lot of sense.

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:25 pm

      Makes mornings easier! And I can see what we have very easily.

  8. JDaniel4's Mom says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I have a sticker with JDaniel’s name on the top of his backpack. I have stranger issues too. I love your snack stash.

    Please think about linking this post to my Back to School Traditions link up!

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:25 pm

      Will check it out! I remember linking last year. 🙂 

  9. adrienne says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I’m impressed! I’m trying to be better at all of the above this year! I love that closet hanger, I think I’m going to get something like that. You should link this to #BTSBash, girl! 🙂

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      I am in love with the closet organizer. 🙂 

  10. Ali from Daughter-in-Law Diaries says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I love the closet organizer, and have thought about doing that every year. Thanks for the inspiration to make it happen!
    My rule is that every night I clear off the counters so that nothing builds up. I start every day fresh and I never feel overwhelmed since everything is in its place.

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      Go get one! 🙂 I wish I hadn’t put it off. So easy.

  11. Jackie says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:36 am

    I really need to do something to be more organized this school year! I need to get the big clip magnets off of the fridge and use folders or something to keep all those papers together!

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:28 pm

      Ashley has an idea for papers over on hers today! 

  12. Ashley {@} My Front Porch Swing says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Love these ideas! I try to implement as many things as possible! We do binders for the papers, I plan out and prep snacks for the week ahead, and get my 1st grader’s clothes ready for the week. (The 3 year old is a diva and picks her own). We also have a space in the garage we are prepping right now for backpacks/shoes/etc. The easier to get them out the door, the better!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:09 am

      I need to try your binder idea!

  13. Jen says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:05 am

    I so love these tips but I had to admit, I am a bit jealous of your organization.  I need to get some of your organizational juice. 

    • Shell says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:29 pm

      I’m usually a total mess when it comes to organizing, so I’m trying to get into better habits this year!

  14. Helene says

    August 27, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    My MIL bought me one of those Family Planner Calendars which has really come in handy.  It has a space for each family member’s name so I can write their activity in their space for each day.  Totally works now that we’re involved with soccer, dance and karate!!

    And I love the clothes organizer idea!!!!  That is one thing we struggle with is picking outfits for every day at the last minute!  I’m totally gonna start organizing their clothes at the beginning of the week!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:10 am

      I had one like that last year and it was awesome- but that company closed. Ugh.

  15. Katie E says

    August 27, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Great tips! I definitely need to set up a snack bin like that. It would be a big help this year. I’m trying a google calendar for the family this year since we’re all on gmail, including the kids. But I still have a big wall calendar and have added a couple other things this year. I struggle so much with organization!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:10 am

      I guess mine will all be on gmail soon enough! Eek!

  16. Jennifer says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    I love the clothes organizer idea. I think it is good to have all of that in one spot so they know right where to go every morning. Plus if you have socks in there you aren’t searching for a pair every day. Plus we have certain clothes for certain days, like spirit shirts on Friday. If you have them organized then they know right where to go and what to wear. I’ll have to see if I can find a place to put one of those.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:11 am

      That’s my favorite things we are doing this year. This morning, my oldest went right to it and got dressed before he even came downstairs. And no scramble for socks!

      • Jennifer says

        August 28, 2012 at 9:13 am

        The socks drive me insane. Last night Cady picked out all of her outfits for the rest of the week based on her school schedule (e.g., what day PE is on). I was thrilled. I hope it is the start of a trend.

  17. Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Great tips.  I need to get some type of paperwork system in place.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

      So much paperwork comes home!

  18. Born27 says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:24 pm

     I am still trying to figure out a way to keep their papers organized that they bring home. Not quite sure what to do with those.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

      Here’s another idea for that: http://www.myfrontporchswing.com/creating-school-binders-to-reduce-clutter

  19. Amber says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    What is this organized word that you speak of? 😉 I do try to stay organized, but a lot of times papers are all over the place. I’m really bad at organization, I admit that.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:13 am

      I am horrible at it. Which is why I’m trying to do better this year. 

  20. Mary @ A Teachable Mom says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    Great ideas! I love the snack container and will do that immediately. I also love the closet hanger/organizer and will make my way to Wal-Mart before your readers snatch them all up! Biggest thing I do to stay organized is to go through paperwork from school immediately and enter dates into my phone calendar and make sure everything is laid out/put in backpacks the night before. We don’t start school until next week, so I have a few more days to get this gear. Thanks for great ideas!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:13 am

      A calendar is a lifesaver! Yes, go get the closet organizer! It’s making things so much easier around here!

  21. Loukia says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I love these helpful ideas – thansk for sharing! Now, I just want school to start already… as much I love summer and being home (for most of the summer) with my boys, I think we are all craving routine again!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:14 am

      I was a little sad for it to end, but it’s better to be back in routines.

  22. Teresa (Embracing the Spectrum) says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    Good tips!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:14 am

      Thanks!

  23. Angie says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    I should do a snack bin. Both boys have to take a snack to school (lunch isn’t until 12:30) so it would be better to put some aside rather than have them all disappear at home before they make it to school!

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:14 am

      That’s my thought, too. We have other snacks for at home, but they can’t take something from the bin except for school.

  24. Kate F. (@katefineske) says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    We love our days of the week cloths sorters (which are very similar to yours!). We also use Manilla folders as “Homework folders” and put anything important in them (such as the weeks spelling words, etc.). My organizational tool I can’t live with out? –> Our electronic syncing family calendars. Seriously, I would be LOST with out them (I know… sad!)

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:15 am

      I can’t wait til we get to that point!

  25. Jen {at} take2mommy says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Great ideas! I only have 2 kids so organizing isn’t so tough. But they do have full schedules after school…Monday is soccer practice for #2, Tuesday is religion for #1, Wednesday is baseball practice, Saturday is religion, baseball games, soccer games, etc! I gotta put all that on a shared iCal calendar that both my huz and I can access from our iPhones. I’d be dead without it.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:15 am

      Sounds like you are busy, too!

  26. Tammy says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:15 am

    I started using my google calendar on my phone for home, work and school. It helps to have everything in one place.

    School clothes picked out the night before, lunches made the night before…showers the night before. None of us are morning people so it helps to have it all done the night before at our house.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:19 am

      We do showers/baths the night before as well- though I always wait on lunches. Tried the night before and then my boys ended up waking up and eating their ready-made lunches for breakfast. LOL

  27. momof12 says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:10 am

    I’m really not that organized. I have a master calendar with all family activities on it. That helps a little. I just turned over the mentor/tutoring part of the Dog Walker’s education to Teach. I guess the smartest thing I do is delegate. Crafty takes the little girls through the shower and bedtime routine and Sport takes Curly. We do homework together and it’s not strange for me to be giving a spelling test to one kid, listening to another read, while checking a math paper at the same time. Maybe if I were more organized I could plan a little better, but right now I just survive on multi-tasking.
    Sandy

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Helps that you are able to delegate. Mine aren’t really at that age quite yet!

  28. secret mom thoughts says

    August 28, 2012 at 7:33 am

    Great tips. I am definitely filling the small bags of pretzels once.

    • Shell says

      August 28, 2012 at 9:20 am

      So much easier to just be able to grab a bag! I’m trying to do better at buying in bulk and prepackaging rather than buying the individual packs.

  29. AnnMarie says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Love these ideas! I strive each year to be more organized. I’m definitely doing the folder idea. I have the closet organizer and need to start using them again. My only organizational thing I do is have all the stuff for lunches in the cabinet above where I make them. I need to do more. Thanks for inspiring me!

  30. Stephanie M says

    September 3, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    I love these!  You are so handy to have around! ;]

Trackbacks

  1. A Rough Morning and Some Perspective says:
    September 11, 2012 at 7:01 am

    […] despite all our efforts towards being better organized this school year, nothing seemed to go […]

  2. Weekend Wrap Up says:
    September 17, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    […] year is in full swing, whether we’re ready or not, and Shell has a quick & easy list of 6 Back to School Organization Tips. I especially love the one about writing names on the back of the backpacks – easy to […]

  3. 3 Smart Ideas for Back to School says:
    August 5, 2013 at 7:02 am

    […] Last year, I was on a mission to get (and stay!) more organized during the school year. And it worked! Check out  6 back to school organization tips. […]

  4. Get Ready for Back to School! | A Grande Life says:
    August 19, 2013 at 7:10 am

    […] 6 Great Back to School Organization Tips by Things I Can’t Say […]

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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