Back to School: Home Organization Station

by Lisa on August 1st, 2020 at 8:29 PM

Back to School Tips – Plain & Simple –

This time of year you see all the brightly colored back to school supplies. You start to crave the schedule yet hate to see summer end. Maybe you start thinking, “this year is going to be the year I get organized. All I need to do is create the perfect homework station, with the perfect supplies and everything will be perfect.” THIS YEAR, being organized at home is more important than ever!

As a professional organizer, I am sorry to tell you that even with the best organized area – it will not be perfect. Instead of spending time trying to create the perfect area, read below for some plain & simple tips.

1. First Things First – Clear Your Calendar!

The first 2 weeks of school can be crazy – especially if you have multiple kids in different schools, and if your students are working with blended schedules or learning remotely full-time. Find out if your schools are having orientation meetings or online options for parents. You are trying to juggle fall activities, new schedules, early bed times & homework. This is not a time to try to schedule anything extra for yourself – – this is a time to say no. Look at your calendar now & guard it carefully. If you can, say no to any non-essential commitments!

Having a great calendar is a good thing. I use a digital calendar. Every family member has a color & I can see what everyone is doing. I used to use a paper calendar but it got to be too complicated to manage for our family. However, on particularly crazy weeks, I do tend to write out who has what on a chalkboard that is in our kitchen.

2. Create a few Simple Systems –

If you don’t have a system or any expectations, then the kids won’t know what to do.

If your children are learning remotely, setting up a schedule is essential.Designate an area in your home for online learning. Set ground rules for how they will take care of that area, and what will/will not be acceptable to do in that area.
Designate a hook (or cubby) for the backpack (put their name on their hook). They don’t need to be fancy hooks. A back of a door or right inside the door works great. Find a spot that will be easy for kids to reach.
Many of us get paralyzed by Pinterest and don’t do anything because we want our homes and systems to be adorable and cute. That’s not necessary– set up something that works for your family and don’t get bogged down by having to have everything picture-perfect.
The kids should hang their coats etc. in this same area. It needs to be easy.

3. Eat Snacks –

Everyone is much happier if they have a full belly. If your child is learning remotely, set specific times for snack breaks. If your child is attending school, I highly suggest emptying backpacks after everyone has had a snack & a little time to decompress. Snack time is a great way for children to transition or have a little relaxation. Simple snacks such as hummus, pretzels, carrots, pickles, oranges, nuts and apples are good choices. Older kids might want something more substantial, like a burrito or quesadilla for a snack.

No matter what your schedule, don’t forget to do some snack & meal planning so you are not constantly going through the drive-through. A well-stocked pantry & freezer is a necessary back to school component.

4. Establish a Homework Area –

No matter how our kids attend school this fall, there will be homework! Setting up a homework area is different for EVERY family & every child. I have had children who need to do homework at the kitchen table while I get dinner ready & some do it quietly in their room. I have had children who lay on the floor, sit on a couch or at a desk. I set up what I thought was the “Perfect Homework Station” for my first child and it never worked for him – – he preferred the kitchen table. I had to be realistic, so I invested in 3 well-stocked caddies for each of my children. These caddies held their markers, pencils, scissors, and tape for their homework needs. These could travel & become “instant” homework stations. Sometimes homework is even done on the go & in the car so if that is you, be prepared and get yourself a bag with all the necessary homework supplies.

See other SpringfieldMoms readers’ suggestions for getting your home ready for homework.

5. Designate where papers go

This is probably the MOST important decision you will ever make! The sooner you can get a handle on the school papers, the better! A system for this depends on your home set up & lifestyle. I have had many systems over the years. I have tried to be flexible with the seasons of my life.

Papers are either trash, treasure or to do –

Trash – (or recycling bin)

Flyers about activities you are not interested in
Information you don’t need
Child’s papers you don’t want to save
Graded worksheets

Treasures –

Special writings/art work
Report Cards

Grab a file folder or a magazine holder
Label it with child’s name
Put all treasures in the box. I recommend this box/file folder be located near where your family enters the house or the “hub” of the house. It can be wherever, there are no rules – it just needs to be one spot.

To Do –

Homework – that’s easy, they do the homework & send it back to school
Papers to review or sign

I keep a stash of cash so I can sign & send back permission slips quickly
I keep a folder labeled “dates to calendar” just in case there are events I need to mark on my calendar. I take this folder with me in the car so if I have time to kill while waiting to pick up my kids, I can put these events on my calendar
Some papers involve finding out more info like what t-shirt they want to order for the spirit wear order – these papers get taped to our back door we go in & out of regularly – – I do this because it drives me CRAZY and it is the only thing on the door so I try to get what I need ASAP so I can return it to school.