Back-to-School Made Simple: Organizing Tips to Make Your Year Less Stressful
- Mar 22, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 7
It’s somewhere between the last pool day and the first bus stop, it hits you—school is starting again. That means permission slips, lost shoes, and the return of the “What’s for lunch?” question on repeat. But it doesn’t have to feel like a mad dash every morning.
My boys will both be in high school this year. As an organizer and a parent, and through a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned what helps make for a less stressful school year at any age.
With a little planning and some smart organizing systems, you can turn back-to-school season into something smoother, calmer, and maybe even… enjoyable. Here’s how to get your home and your kids ready for the year ahead.
Prep Thay Pays Off
Make Sure They Have What They Need
Before you run out and buy everything in the school supply aisle, take a moment to see what you already have. Is last year’s backpack still in great shape? Give it a quick clean—hand wash or toss it in the tub with a little mild detergent and let it air dry. Lunchboxes and water bottles? A quick scrub or dishwasher run, and they’re good to go.
When it comes to supplies, resist the “stock up” mentality. Yes, those shiny bins of $1 notebooks at Target are tempting, but unless you have the space to store them neatly, skip the full-on school supply store. Stick to what’s on the school list and what you know your kids will actually use. If you run out mid-year, Amazon and Target are only a few clicks away.
Pro tip: Create a small “school supplies refill” bin at home with basics like pencils, glue sticks, and lined paper. It doesn’t have to be huge—just enough to avoid last-minute panic.
Do a Closet Sweep
Nothing slows down a morning faster than a child staring into an overflowing closet claiming they have “nothing to wear.” A week or two before school starts, have your kids go through their clothes with you. (Don’t forget jackets and shoes that may be kept in other places.) Pull out anything that doesn’t fit, is worn out, or—let’s be honest—they’re never going to wear. A little closet organization means one less obstacle in the morning.
Donate, hand down, or toss what you can. This is also a great time to make a short list of anything they genuinely need: new sneakers, a jacket, or maybe a couple of school-appropriate tops.
Pro tip: If your mornings are especially rushed, try creating outfits weekly on Sunday. Hang them together in the closet or place them in labeled bins—one for each day. No decisions needed at 7 a.m.
Build Good Habits Now
There are two habits we built with our kids that have really paid off for us:
Getting up early. Earlier than necessary. We never have the mad, screaming dash for the door, or me having to sign them in late. Now that they’re teenagers, they’re a little more prone to sleeping in, but still get up and are ready on time.
Pro Tip: Get them used to using an alarm clock. My kids' phones aren’t allowed in their rooms at night, so they each have a clock they’re responsible for setting. I’m the backup if they forget or hit snooze.
Teaching them to be self-sufficient. Have them pack their own snacks or lunches. When they’re older, teach them to do laundry. That doesn’t mean we never do anything for them, but teaching them to be responsible for themselves will make adjustments easier on them in the long run, and less stressful for us as parents (especially with one going off to college next year!)
Pro Tip: Decide what’s important to your family and start building those habits no matter what age your kids are. Consider their age and capabilities. And stick with it - good habits aren’t built overnight!
Systems to Save Your Sanity
Here’s where the magic really happens. Having a few organizing systems in place keeps the morning chaos under control and makes the rest of the year more manageable.
Morning and Afternoon Routines
Morning routines can help start the day on the right foot. It lets your kids know what to expect, gives them some autonomy, and gives you a few extra minutes for coffee.
Pack lunches and snacks (or do this the night before)
Make sure all necessary papers are packed
Ask them what’s going on today. Having them think about the upcoming day will help them remember if they need their gym shoes or a last-minute review for a quiz
If your kids are anything like mine, at the end of the day, they just want to walk in the door and dump their stuff, then dump themselves on the couch. To keep chaos in check, set up a quick, easy afternoon routine to get everything in its place, then give them time to wind down.
Put lunchboxes, water bottles, and food containers in the kitchen
Unpack any papers that need a parent's attention or are no longer needed and put them in a designated place (see Command Center)
Landing Area
Whether you have a proper mudroom or a basket by the door, have a place for their stuff to land. You avoid tripping over shoes and backpacks when you come in the door, and they know where they are the next morning.
Have one spot (somewhere in their entry path) for backpacks, sports gear, instruments, and shoes. Hooks, cubbies, or a bench with baskets work wonders. The key is that everything has a home.
If you have multiple kids, give each one their own hook and bin so there’s no confusion. This isn’t just about neatness—it saves you from the “Where’s my cleats?!” scramble five minutes before you have to leave.
Command Center
The amount of paper that comes home from school is…a lot. As they get older, the paper turns into (hundreds) of emails. Create a system for your kids and yourself to make sure all of the permission slips get signed, and you're not out buying green hair spray for spirit week at 11 pm.
Create a command center for all of the papers and to-dos. Think of this as mission control for your family. Whether it’s a wall-mounted system or a corner of your kitchen counter, create a command center for all of the papers and to-dos. This is where incoming and outgoing papers, schedules, and calendars go.
Include:
A family calendar (digital or paper)
An inbox or vertical file holder for school papers
Pens and markers for signatures and notes
A document box or small tub to collect papers and art projects you want to keep
Homework Zone
Whether it's a desk in their room or the kitchen table, have a distraction-free area for homework. Let them know you’re available for help if needed. This may mean telling them to Google it because you have no idea how to multiply fractions. Being available to help doesn’t mean doing it for them, but helping them figure out how to find the answer.
If you have a dedicated desk area, use organizers to house extra supplies within arm's reach. No desk? Use a small caddy or rolling cart for multi-use spaces that can be put away when homework is done.
Lunch and Snack Prep Station
Whether you’re making lunches for them or they’re packing their own, a little setup in the kitchen goes a long way. Create a “lunch zone” in your pantry and fridge with grab-and-go options: pre-portioned snacks, cut fruit, string cheese, wraps, and drinks. Keep Ziploc bags, food storage, and water bottles in a place they can reach.
Don’t Forget the Fun Stuff
Back-to-school isn’t all logistics and checklists—it’s also a fresh start. Find a way to make it special:
Plan a “first day” breakfast with their favorite pancakes or smoothies
Snap those classic front-door photos (yes, even if they groan)
Slip a silly or encouraging note into their lunchbox
These little traditions create moments they’ll remember long after they’ve forgotten what brand of pencils you bought.
Last, But Not Least
Take care of your teachers. While I know it's appreciated, they probably don't need another personalized mug. What they do need are supplies and your support. Answer notes and emails, ask how you can help, and volunteer at school if you can. To all of the teachers, THANK YOU!
Back-to-school season will always be busy, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating routines and spaces that work for your family. A little prep now—paired with a few smart organizing systems—can make the difference between rushed, stressful mornings and a calm(ish) start to your day.
If you want more time to enjoy those end-of-summer pool days, we can help declutter and set up your back-to-school systems. Contact us here.
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