Back-to-school season is more than buying notebooks and pencils. It is like a second New Year. It is time to create a calm, supportive environment for your family through systems, routines, and support. There are many ways to make the transition from summer to the first weeks of school smoother. Here’s a list of 25 small but impactful ways to get ready.

Set up your landing strip in your entry.

Clear out the summer gear and make space for backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes now. You can use a bench, hooks, bins, or a simple tray for keys to have a place for all the items you use as you come and go throughout the school year.

Refresh your family calendar.

With the rush of dates coming up, it is time to update your digital or paper calendar. Now is the time to add school dates, extracurriculars, and work commitments. A visual family calendar on the wall helps communicate best. A digital calendar helps you stay in the know all the time.

Take inventory of your supplies.

Take inventory before shopping for school supplies. Gather all the supplies in a common spot for easy access, then organize.

Create two or three homework spots.

Set up stations in your dining room, your kiddo’s room, and another quiet area for your kiddos to work on their homework. Make it easy for you to move between these for questions and to ensure focus. Use a caddy or cart for required school supplies.

Gradually reset bedtimes. 

Wind down earlier in the evening every night at least 2 weeks before school starts. Gradually move bedtimes earlier over two weeks to help with the transition.

Reset screen time expectations. 

Perhaps your kiddos have had a lot of time on devices and gaming this summer. Talk as a family about after-school and weekend device expectations to prevent battles later.

Organize your pantry for healthy snacks and lunches.

Healthy choices start with intentional choices. Set up a snack and lunch station for your kiddos to create their own meals. Discuss options that everyone enjoys. Gather containers, water bottles, and lunch bags. Set up a lunch prep zone in your kitchen.

Start your meal planning for a week.

Getting back to routines means working ahead for meal planning. Talk with your family about healthy options that make getting breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the table easily. Having 3–5 easy dinners ready for that first week back makes a world of difference.

Talk through everyone’s morning routine. 

Mornings can be rough for everyone. Talk through wake-up times and then write out the steps. Add a checklist for your child to build independence.

Label, label, label.

Your label maker makes it easy! Put a label on physical items like backpacks, jackets, and water bottles. Label areas in your home like the pantry and closets. It is more likely that items are easy to find if lost and are kept in good order.

Schedule self-care for everyone.

Avoid the last-minute scramble by booking hair, manicure, and medical appointments as early as possible.

Declutter your kiddo’s closet. 

Keep what is currently fitting for your kiddo. Make it easy for them to get ready each day. Pass along to others or donate what does not fit right now.

Set up your Command Center. 

Your Command Center makes it easy to do paperwork. If you print from email, you have a place to corral that paper, as well as school forms, permission slips, and newsletters.

Build in email time.

School information comes by email.  Schedule time to sit, review, and act on what comes to you. Bookmark school websites and set filters in your email so you don’t miss anything. Have a set time each week during your Weekly Planning time to review school emails throughout the year.

Re-establish your Family Meeting. 

There is so much to communicate when school starts. Restart your family meeting with time to talk about family responsibilities and activities.

Set up backpacks for success. 

Your kiddo’s backpack is an important tool for organization. Choose a backpack, load it well and then talk about how to keep it organized. Choose a consistent drop zone near the door to reduce clutter and morning delays. Do the same for your own bags as a parent.

Practice the school route.

Do a practice run of going to school. Walk, bike, or drive the route so it feels familiar and less stressful.

Choose first day outfits. 

Kiddos feel more confident with completed decisions. Avoid the scramble with a plan (and maybe a backup option).

Talk about everyone’s school year hopes and goals.

Set the tone for the year with conversations. Your kiddos know you support their hopes and goals. You are the best coach by asking curious, open questions that encourage critical thinking. Frame situations for learning, not failing, so that your family is supported in all they do.

Review your over-the-counter medicines.

With the proximity of kids at school, lots of viruses are shared early on. Review your stock to be sure you have what you need.

Build in margin.

The first few weeks of school can be exhilarating and exhausting. Try not to overschedule those first few weeks, especially on the weekends. With so much to think about and do, your family needs rest to catch up. 

Set up your Sunday Reset.

Everyone needs a time to reset their stuff. Sundays are great for laundry, backpack cleanout, and calendar check-ins.

Put your own oxygen mask on first.

Parenting requires a lot of energy! Remember that the level of your self-care supports your best efforts. When you feel your energy drain, set a way to pause and regroup.

Chunk your back-to-school efforts.

Remember, you don’t have to do all 25 in one day. Pick 3–5 things that feel most pressing and build from there.

Back-to-school time includes lots of emotions of all sorts. Be prepared by starting early on your list and pacing yourself. You got this!

For your back-to-school checklist, click here!