It’s that time again. Are you celebrating or crying? Either way, we don’t judge.

Whether you’re buying tissues or wine, or both, we know this time of year can be stressful and we’re here to give you a roadmap! I have had kids in school for the last 13 years and this is what I do, every year, to keep it all together.

1. Calendars and Schedules

When I feel overwhelmed, I need to organize my brain first. That’s why calendars are number one on this list.

Print the calendars for each of your kids’ schools and put them somewhere visible (for me, its the fridge).
Screenshot them on your phone and save them to an album titled “Reference”. This is also a great place to store insurance cards.
Send the calendar to your husband and any other family members, nanny, etc who may need them.
Add all school holidays and first and last day of school to your personal calendar.
Figure out when the back to school events are and add those to your calendar.
Get the sports, practice, and performance schedules. Follow all the steps above for those schedules.
Make sure the rest of the family is filled in.

2. Transportation + Childcare

How is your child getting to school? If it’s the bus, check the bus routes, get the bus number, confirm the times and bus stops. Download the transportation app if there is one. If your child is a car rider, make sure you know when car rider lines begin and end, and start discussing car pool. If your child needs before or after school care, get that lined up now. Make sure the rest of the family is filled in.

3. School Supplies

I am so thankful that my school offers pre-packaged supplies. Everything you need for the school year in one bundle, delivered their classroom. Amazing. Please remember that these school supplies are typically used by the whole class, not just your child. If you want your child to have cute personal supplies, purchase those seperately. Don’t forget backpacks, lunch boxes, and personal hygiene items.

4. Breakfast + Lunch

I do not have the mental capacity to decide every meal for every person in my house every single day. Just typing that was exhausting. So, every year I sit down with my kids and we brainstorm. 10 ideas for breakfast. 10 ideas for lunches. Then each week I ask them to pick a couple from the list for me to purchase with groceries. For the most part, they are responsible for making their own lunches, and we make them breakfast each morning. Don’t forget to add cash to the lunch account!

5. Clothing + Personal Items

School shopping is an annual tradition for us and we look forward to it every year! This is when we get all the fun new outfits and shoes, but we’re also replacing bras, undies, socks, bathroom products, and anything else they need.

Before you shop, and I cannot stress this enough, declutter and take inventory. Before you shop. Are you hearing me? Before.

Clear out the closet of the old clothes that don’t fit them, are no longer “cool”, have stains, etc.
Clear out the old shoes, socks, undies, everything that is no longer usable.
Clear out the bathroom of all the old products or products that are no longer serving their purpose.

Then take inventory.
How many jeans do they have? How many do they actually need? Socks? Shoes? Shirts? Hoodies?

Use this inventory to make your shopping list.

DO NOT SHOP before you do this. That is how you end up with FAR more clutter than you bargained for. Trust me. Follow the plan.

I like to take the kids shopping individually. Its special mom and me time and we have so much fun! We always grab lunch and maybe a boba or starbucks. Once we return home we do a fashion show for the rest of the family and then clothes are washed and put away, immediately.

6. Get Ready

In the week leading up to school starting, do the following:

Laundry (wash, dry, and put away)
Prep backpacks
Check calendars and schedules again
Discuss the morning routine with the kids
Plan breakfast and lunches (and shop for the ingredients)

You are ready! Have an amazing school year!

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!