Back to School Organization

It’s hard to believe that it is already time to start getting organized for another school year. Organization is helpful for any family but when you have a large family or are a foster family with kids coming and going it is even more important! I have put together some of my favorite organization ideas and tips to help you prepare your house for back to school.

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#1 Homework Station

Homework can be a stressful time for kids and parents. Setting up a homework station that works for your family can help with some of that stress. Remember not all kids work in the same way. Some will do well in a quiet environment and some may need to work alone because they struggle to ignore distractions. If your kiddo works better with music allow them to use earbuds while working. If you have a child that does need a quiet place, try a mobile homework station or their own personal study station where they can work anywhere that is free from distractions. Just remember homework stations can come in many forms and you might even have more than one. It doesn’t matter what you chose as long as kids know where to find supplies needed and it becomes a part of their after school routine.

If you don’t have a lot of space, a homework caddy is a great idea for you.

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I love the idea of using an Ikea Cart to create a homework station. We have one of these is our dining room. It is helpful because we can roll it around the house when needed and the kids always know where to find what they need.

• Find out more at Life’s Carousel
• Another idea from Smashed Peas and Carrots

#2 Family Command Center

The amount of paper that is sent home daily can become overwhelming. We have 6 kids at 4 different schools. We had to find a way to keep track of everything before I lost my mind and their important papers. We tried a few different ideas before we found one that really worked for us. Command centers come in all shapes and sizes. You just have to decide what key components you need to help you stay organized. Here are some ideas for you to try.

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• If you have the space, this is a great idea from Delightful Order.
• OR if you have less space, try something like this.

#3 Clothes Organization System

Mornings in our house are not always so great. Trying to get six kids dressed and ready for school can be a challenge. Additionally, our son hates getting up for school and due to sensory processing disorder, he hates getting dressed. We have found that organizing clothes for the week helps eliminate a little of the stress of our morning that is best referred to as organized chaos.

#4 Lunch and Snack Station

Setting up a lunch and snack station, allows children to make their own food choices, fosters independence and helps our large family run smoother. Check out these ideas and find one that works for your family.

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#5 Routines, Schedules & Checklists

Organization ideas like the ones above are great but are pointless without a routine in place. If you don’t develop a consistent routine that everyone is familiar with all of your hard work will be for nothing and you will find yourself right back where you started…running around like a mama losing her mind and maybe a field trip permission slip.

Schedules, visual and written, can help kids remember what they should be doing and helps provide structure and independence. Checklists can also help kids independently complete tasks. Simply print a checklist and put it in a frame and you have a dry erase board checklist that can be used everyday.

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I hope these ideas help you have a great school year. Leave a comment and let me know how it goes. If you have any ideas that you use feel free to share.