Kids Going Back to School? 

These 10 school organizing routines will help your family plan ahead and bypass those stressful morning meltdowns.

Even with solid routines in place, family mishaps still happen. One sunny morning, my daughter Emily anxiously announced she couldn’t find her school uniform jumper. I confidently sent her to check the laundry room—twice. When she still came up empty, I went to look myself, silently wondering, Why can’t my kids ever find anything on their own?

To my dismay, I couldn’t find it either.

With the clock ticking and an 89-degree day ahead, panic set in. What fate is worse than being the only kid forced to wear pants on a scorching day? My calm demeanor vanished, and I began frantically searching the house.

Right then, her older sister noticed our kindergartener, Cassie. She was fully dressed and ready to go—except her jumper was so massive it hit her ankles.

Mystery solved. After a high-speed wardrobe swap, we rushed out the door just in time.

Family life will always have its roller-coaster moments. While we can’t avoid them entirely, establishing the right organizing routines will drastically minimize the odds of a morning crisis.

10 Back-to-school organizing routines that will help your family plan ahead for the new school year and avoid stressful moments.

As a parent, it’s always a challenge to keep everything in order, but with these routines in place, you can minimize the likelihood of stressful situations arising.

1. Establish a Launching Pad.

A launching pad by the door is a perfect way to help each child remember the items they need for school every day. Place a bin or basket by the door for each family member. Place all necessary items there, like lunches, backpacks, coats, musical instruments, and sports equipment.

This will greatly minimize the chances of family members forgetting any essential items. This is especially helpful if you have children with ADHD.

2. Establish a Weekly Family Huddle.

Set aside a specific time each week, such as Saturday mornings or Sunday evenings, for a family planning meeting. Discuss the upcoming week’s activities, deadlines, and appointments, and add them to the family calendar. Planning ahead for activities that require preparation can help you stay in control and avoid unwelcome surprises.

3. Plan for Other Tasks That Need to Get Done at Home.

The family huddle can also be a good time to plan the other things that need to get done at home each week. Have your family help you decide what meals they would like to eat for the week. Create a grocery list to go along with the plan. Decide what household chores each person is responsible for completing that week.

4. Prepare For School the Night Before.

Have each family member spend 10-15 minutes before bedtime getting organized for the next school day. This includes laying out outfits, packing school items, gathering after-school supplies and snacks, and making lunches. This routine can make the mornings run more smoothly and prevent items from being forgotten.

5. Go Through Your Child’s Backpack at the Same Time Every Day.

Set a specific time to check your child’s backpack daily, preferably when they are doing their homework. Take action on any paperwork that needs to be signed or completed immediately.

6. Create a Family Command Center.

A bulletin board can serve as the family calendar and display weekly household chore charts, schedules, and other important documents. Use hanging wall pockets or small bins to assign mailboxes to each child for their paperwork.

7. Designate a Separate Place for Completed School and Artwork.

As the year progresses, there is a simple way to organize the monsoon of school paperwork that comes home with your child each day. Just toss everything into a conveniently located paperwork bin. Periodically go through the bin and toss all past schoolwork, keeping any artwork and other keepsake items.

Make it a summer project to have your kids go through their keepsake school artwork at the end of the year. For instructions on how to create a school keepsake tote that each child can self-manage with minimal supervision, read my other article: “The Simplest Way to Organize School Paperwork and Keepsakes.”

8. Establish a Homework Routine.

Designate a specific time and place for homework each day. Ensure the study area is well-stocked with supplies like pencils, pens, paper, and a quiet atmosphere conducive to concentration.

9. What Other School Organizing Routines Can You Establish?

Forming helpful family routines, such as doing homework and household chores at the same time every day, and having set bath and bedtimes, can help both you and your child feel more in control. Routines give a sense of security and predictability that make our lives feel less chaotic.