It’s that time of year again! Summer is ending, and kids are getting ready to return to school. This can be a stressful and chaotic time for many families. Lazy days and summer vacations are cast away, allowing more rigid schedules and school activities. Preparing your home in this season of transition can save you tons of time, allowing you to focus on the things that matter.

Creating an exclusive study zone is one of the easiest ways to prepare your home for back to school. Your house doesn’t need an actual “office space” to do so; you can make a study zone in any cozy nook! What was once a play zone in the summer can easily be remade into a creative study area. 

Another way to prep the home is to create a designated area for your kids to drop their bags. If you don’t have a mud bench, you can include some hooks near the front door, garage door, or perhaps in their study area. 

School lunch can be another point of stress for both kids and parents. Do you pack lunch or send them to school with some money to buy lunch? Packing lunch is usually more cost-effective and healthier, but it can be time-consuming if you don’t create a system. Set a menu ahead of time for the week, and be sure to get your children involved! When they have a hand in making their lunch, they’ll be keener to eat it. 

On this same note, it’s a great time to clean your pantry! Remove any old or expired food and stock up on items that will make for quick breakfasts, lunches, and snacks during the school year.

Do you ever look around your home midway through the school year and wonder where all this paper came from?! Before the school year begins, create a spot for paperwork and assignments. This can be included in your child’s study space or in a separate place to clear that area. Create a habit of going through these papers every other month to clear out what you no longer need to keep. 

Now, you can sigh in relief as your kids return to school! It’s an exciting time of year that doesn’t need to be stressful. Enjoy the journey!