The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist: Simplify Your Life and Make the Transition Easier
As I sit at my desk, I can see the school posters on the wall in front of me. They remind me of the upcoming milestone in my youngest child's life - starting kindergarten. I anticipated an emotional transition for my daughter and myself, but I never expected the long to-do list that came with homeschooling for the first time.
Although my two older children attended traditional kindergarten classes, we have decided to homeschool my youngest this year. I want her kindergarten experience to be just as special as my older children's. With the first day of school quickly approaching, I have ordered homeschool material and am preparing for what our new routine will look like.
To simplify our lives and make this school year easier, I have created a back-to-school checklist. I was inspired by my mom friends who were struggling to keep track of their pre-school tasks. Since I have gone through this process with my older children, I hope that sharing my checklist will be helpful to others. It has certainly helped me stay organized and minimize stress during this preparation period.
1. Create new routines for the whole family
Incorporating routines into our daily lives can be incredibly beneficial in minimizing chaos and reducing stress. As I prepare for the upcoming school year, I am actively integrating new routines into our schedule. By setting alarms, we can effectively track and manage our day-to-day tasks. While we already have established morning and bedtime routines, I have decided to add a lesson routine to our homeschooling schedule. To ensure that our new routine is effective, I have researched and consulted with other homeschooling moms to develop a schedule that works best for us. I have also added this routine to my calendar, which allows me to stay on task and plan additional activities when needed. Additionally, to keep us on track during our bedtime routine, I use alarms on my phone. Although sports schedules may occasionally affect our routine, having a guideline in place helps us stay focused and avoid distractions.
2. Create a family calendar center
I came across a fantastic idea on Pinterest that I absolutely love! Previously, I used to manually keep track of my family's schedules by my fridge, but now I use an app called Cozi (which I am not sponsored by, but highly recommend). The app is versatile, as everyone in the family can use it and you can color code each individual's schedule. It is also accessible 24/7 since it's on your phone. This app has been extremely useful for school events, practices, games, and even day-to-day adult schedules. With Cozi, I can keep track of my grocery list, recipes, and add them to the calendar and shopping list as needed. The app can also alert other family members about important events. Additionally, I've created a family command center to organize all the school forms and important papers. Since I'll be spending more time teaching my youngest, I've moved it from my fridge to my desk in the office.
3. Create a lunch station in the kitchen and a homework station in the child’s room.
When my son was in kindergarten, preparing his lunch box was always a hassle. However, now that he's in fifth grade in a public school, he doesn't need to carry his lunch as frequently. Nonetheless, I like to keep everything organized, just in case. So, I've set up some convenient stations in our kitchen. At the container station, I've gathered all the supplies required to pack his lunch, such as containers, bottles, and sandwich bags. The kids' dishes are neatly arranged in a lower cabinet drawer. Additionally, my daughter can access all the dishes she requires for her lunch effortlessly. Furthermore, I've allocated an entire shelf in our refrigerator for the kids' food and drinks, while the bottom pantry shelf is stocked with snacks and other dry goods. I strive to ensure that everything they need is readily available. If you plan on packing your child's lunch every day, having a plan in place is beneficial. While working on your weekly meal plan, take some time to consider what you will include in each lunch box. I have a Pinterest board comprising of approved lunch choices that the kids can pick themselves. This makes shopping easier and takes some of the stress out of your daily routine while keeping the kids involved. Another excellent way to help your children stay organized is to create a homework station in their room. You could assemble a simple homework caddy with all the supplies they may need or create a larger workstation with additional storage for books and papers. My son's bed has a built-in desk, so I purchased a little drawer set to hold his pencils and other supplies, and it has made a big difference! Meanwhile, my daughter has her station in the office with me.
4. Shop for clothes and shoes
When preparing to shop for my children, I make it a point to first assess their current wardrobe. This entails going through their clothes and shoes to determine which ones are still in good condition and can be used for the new school year. By doing this, I am able to get a clear picture of the items that need to be purchased.
Our shopping list usually comprises the basic necessities such as underwear, socks, pants, t-shirts, a few dressy shirts, and a pair of shoes. These items are essential for any child's wardrobe, and I always make sure to get them first.
Through the years, I have learned some valuable lessons when it comes to shopping for my kids. For instance, I have found that going solo is the best way to avoid disagreements over clothing choices. Additionally, I steer clear of shopping during tax-free weekends, as the large crowds can be quite overwhelming and not worth the small amount saved.
When it comes to shopping, I have found that going online is a great way to save time and money. This is because it allows me to find the sizes I need quickly and easily, without having to wait in long lines. Shopping online has undoubtedly made the process of buying clothing for my kids a lot more convenient and stress-free.
5. Purchase school supplies
When I was a child, back-to-school shopping was always exciting for me. However, as an adult, I don't anticipate it as much. Perhaps it's because the supplies aren't as enjoyable, or maybe it's due to their scarcity. Nowadays, some schools provide the option to buy all the necessary supplies in advance and have them delivered to the school on the first day, which I find extremely convenient. Whenever this option is available, I always take advantage of it, and this year was no exception. I was able to check off this task from my to-do list as soon as school let out, and now my primary focus is on obtaining the supplies required for homeschooling.
6. Read books to prepare your child for the start of school
It has come to my attention that most of the checklists related to the back-to-school season that are available online tend to focus solely on the planning and organizational aspects. However, I strongly believe that it's imperative to ensure that first-time students are emotionally ready for this significant milestone before their first day of school. A straightforward approach to achieving this is by reading books about school and taking advantage of this opportunity to address any questions, concerns, or doubts they may have.
⭐ With that said, here are a few of our favorite books that are perfect for young children who are gearing up for a new school year:
1 – What Should Danny Do? School Day, 2 – We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, 3 – The Kissing Hand.
7. Prepare for the first day of school and make it special for your kids
One way to help your kids overcome the anxiety of their first day of school is to make it special for them and show your support.
⭐ Here are some easy ways to do this:
Prepare a special gift to give them on the first day of school.
Conduct a first day of school interview with your child.
Start a nice first day of school tradition with your kids.
Here are five more things to add to your back-to-school checklist:
8. Sign up for fall sports and after-school clubs: Don't miss the enrollment period for sports and clubs, and make sure you have any necessary equipment on your shopping list.
9. Create a system for storing school memories: You'll want to keep papers, drawings, and projects from throughout the school year, so it's important to stay organized. I like to take pictures of artwork and compile them in a picture book at the end of the year.
10. Set up an after-school snack station: If your child is always hungry after school, create a designated area for healthy snacks they enjoy.
11. Buy labels for school supplies: Many items will need to be labeled with your child's name, so make sure to have quality labels on hand.My go to has been Bright Star Labels. They stick to anything and everything and you can get them to match your child's personality.
12. Attend school events: These events can help ease anxiety and give your child more confidence before the first day of school. Take advantage of opportunities to meet teachers and classmates.
I hope this list helps make your back-to-school preparations smoother. If you have any additional tips to share, please let me know. Best of luck to you and your children for a great school year!