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Life is anything but simple, amiright? Schedules are hectic, routines are disheveled, relationships sticky and difficult to navigate, organization goes awry, shopping is endless, I could go on and on. In a quest for a simpler life, I am doing my best daily to streamline as much as I can to make things easier on my family and me during this chapter of our lives. I realize there is a time for spontaneity, but the realism of that with a three year old and a grade schooler is few and far between right! Right now, in this life, we need as many simple routines as possible. When I think about what those routines are, and where in my life I need systems, school days are close to the top of the list. Sure, in the summer, routines pretty much fly out the window (a time for spontaneity maybe?), but that all comes to a screeching halt when it’s time again to have backpacks prepared, lunches ready, outfits clean, homework signed, shoes near, you get the idea. So I was inspired to create a Simple Life Guide for this crazy time of year for many people, in the US or abroad. At the time of this post, my little has been back to school for a week already, but I realize that is not the case for much of the country (or world? I really don’t know yearly school schedules outside of the continental US!) I hope with a little intention and a lot of rest, the start of the school year is good to you. But perhaps this will help. Here is my Simple Life Guide for Back to School.
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Sunday Routine
Have a Sunday routine. I know Sundays are for rest and relaxation, and I totally agree. But there are things that need to be taken care of long before Monday morning arrives. And to be honest, I don’t want to think about the following school week on Saturday! Here is a list of a few things we do on Sunday nights to ensure a smooth start to the week:
Pick out clothes for the week-I have been doing this for myself for years (just take a look at the notebook I keep at my end table where I (used to) jot down my outfits-kidding/not kidding). But when our oldest started school, we needed the same system for her. We were not about to argue over what outfit, shoes, or hair bow to wear the morning of. On Sundays, TOGETHER, we select 5 outfits, making sure we consider the weather, Gym day, and any other special occasions. Then, SHE chooses which outfit to wear which day, and lines it up in the closet accordingly. In the morning, she wakes up, grabs her outfit, and no fuss is made!
A few other small things we ensure on Sundays is that all homework, signed papers, water bottle, lunch box and bags are where they belong. This is really a (quick) double check since we have a place for those (see Step 2 and 3)!
2. Meal Plan
Yes, planning for weekly meals is certainly important, but I try to do that year round. The difference for the school year is that now I am also planning for lunches. Some students eat lunch at school and more power to them! The planning is already done. In that case, make sure to have the snacks and water bottles ready and on hand. Our kiddo doesn’t eat school lunches (lengthy post for another time!), so I prepare for her lunch when I make the weekly grocery list. I make sure to include all lunch, snack, and drink items before and put them in a place where SHE can then assemble her lunch in the morning. **Side note** This is new for us this year. In grades K-1, I made her lunch. But now, everything is stored within her reach, a checklist is on the cabinet door for her reference, and she loves the responsibility! And I just got 7 minutes back in my morning routine! PTL!!
3. A Place for Bags and Boxes
A MAJOR headache saver is having a place for backpacks and lunch boxes. We don’t have a mudroom, so a hall bench was incorporated into our living room design. This helps immensely with not only backpacks, but diaper bags and purses alike! E’s lunch box is stored in the cabinet with her lunch food options, so it’s right there ready to go when she needs it the next day. ALSO, she has the responsibility to put her ice packs away, her spoon and straw in the dishwasher along with her lunchbox when she gets home from school (her after-school routine). Again, more responsibility on her, less on me! Win/Win.
4. A Place for Paperwork
As a former educator, I know that paperwork is the first thing to get lost in a backpack (or trash can, dog/little brother’s mouth, car, bus, or let’s be honest, the good ‘ole countertop) at the end of a long school day. To keep from mysteriously losing this precious paperwork, give it a place. Most schools have a folder system, but if yours doesn’t, make one! Have one folder for aaaaall the paperwork and you can sift through it in the afternoon or evening when you get home from your life, because I know you have one! Seriously, though do it. It takes minutes, seconds even, and it will make for much less hassle when time is of the essence! Once paperwork comes home, maybe have a place on the countertop, a hanging file holder on the wall, a clip magnet on the fridge. Whatever it is, designate the space and don’t put anything else there! And really, because I think it’s worth emphasizing, check your students papers. I know it seems tedious, and at times redundant, but that is such a small thing to show your child that you care about their school day (translate=you care about them!). Also, it gives you something to chat about at the dinner table!
5. Mini Supply Store
Create a mini “supply store” in a known location. This designation can be used for things that will aid in writing notes to the teacher or bus driver, sending out a letter in the mail, doing homework, or restocking anything that has run out at school. I recently read Emily Ley’s The Simplified Life from this Simple Life Guide post, that she GOT RID OF HER JUNK DRAWER!! Whaaaaa?!? I mean she doesn’t remove it (obviously), but she repurposed that drawer for more of a function instead of housing random junk that you never can find anyway. I know it sounds crazy, but she explains why ingeniously in that book! In response, I (sort of) reinvented our junk drawer to look more like a supply drawer. This has pens, pencils, clips, notepads, and tape for all the things. I also have a place at my personal desk where E can go to grab other supplies she needs (paper, scissors, glue) for bigger projects and other assignments. Of course, we have to be reminded that those supplies are for school purposes only and not creative whimsy (she has another stash for that), as well as to let me know when something runs out to abstain from what I am loosely coining “the frantics”.
There you have it! If even one of these tips help make your back to school transition a little smoother, I have done my job! Blessings on a safe and fun school year this year.
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