A pro organizer shares tips for back to school
As a mom, occupational therapist, and family-based decluttering expert and home organizer (follow me @ConsciouslyClearedandContained on FB/insta), I cannot overemphasize the importance of
the before- and after-school routines
start the routine early, now even. Go directly to the source: your kids—what do THEY (each) need to do each morning before school to set themselves up for a good day; remember, what works for one may not work for all. What would a successful coming home routine look like? Get their feedback to help hold them accountable to their own systems (and tweak as needed). If they can, have them write it down to display. If they cannot, have them help take pictures of the steps. Kids are visual—having this in a prime location will be key.
I love an accessible snack station. Designate a spot where kids can grab what they want (remember: you set it up, so make your system/boundaries clear) to help pack lunch and serve themselves after school.
the entryway/drop zone
Stop clutter right at the door—don’t let it spread out all over your home!
Create a system for incoming papers that need to be reviewed (permission slips, homework, etc.) AND for special art or materials you’ll want to store for sentimental reasons. This one is HUGE! We all know far too well how overwhelming paper buildup is.
Focus on giving each kid their own spot; 1-2 hooks (max) for 1 coat/hoodie (clutter happens when all of their winter gear ends up hanging here) and a large bin to drop their backpack and accessories. Shoes live by the door, only the most regularly worn ones. Avoiding excess here helps limit confusion, poor compliance, and miscommunication.
where they do homework
Build this into the coming home routine, after a snack, drink, connection, and movement. Consistency is crucial.
Most kids do best with reduced distractions, and clutter can be a HUGE productivity killer (for all of us, but especially kids). Give them a clear workspace, with little to no background noise. Some kids may do better with parallel work (when you are working beside them, or a sibling is). Get to know what works best for your child. Do they need a fidget toy? Do they need to do parts of their work standing, or sitting on a bouncy ball, for better self-regulation?
Be sure they have supplies they need (to complete their assignments today/this week)—not a lifetime supply of pens/pencils/office supplies etc.
their bedroom
Take care to attend to their sleep hygiene and schedules so they are well rested: going to bed at the same time, no screens before bed, cool/dark room, winding down routine. Some kids need vestibular and/or proprioceptive input before bed. (See awesome examples from some pediatric OTs I follow on Instagram: @thekinected_ot, @courtneyenglish.ot, @mindfulmom.ot)
Learn their individual preferences for how to store their clothes; observe how they gather their clothes and get dressed—does it take them too long and they have a hard time making a decision? It could be decision fatigue/overstimulation because of excess—can you simplify? Are they overwhelmed and without order? Try clear zones/categories with labels. Maybe they need help to plan their outfits for the week ahead of time. Can you lower the bar, literally, to allow them to retrieve their clothes independently?
A big takeaway is that while all kids go to school, there are so many dynamic and creative ways to ensure that YOUR kid (each individual one!) has a positive, engaged experience—we personalize as much as possible. Just like in home organization, when a child is struggling, we tweak the system, we finetune the routine, we reevaluate and problem solve.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Delegate what you can. Give kids age-appropriate responsibilities when it comes to helping start/end each day, I love this list: https://www.thespruce.com/age-appropriate-chore-charts-1900357. (Remember, we are asking our children for participation, not perfection.)
Favorite Resources for Parents:
“Create an Optimal Home Environment” with Lorena Seidel, a Montessori teacher, Social Emotional Learning consultant, and a positive discipline educator, via episode 478 of the Mindful Parenting Podcast with Hunter Clarke-Fields (~45 minutes)
Imagine your kids’ routines being simple and smooth because you took time, energy, and consideration to structure your home environment to facilitate their independence and confidence. The podcast description spoke to me as an organizer, an occupational therapist, and a busy mom. It delivered 10000%.
“The Montessori Child: A Parent's Guide to Raising Capable Children with Creative Minds and Compassionate Hearts (The Parents' Guide to Montessori Book 3),” by Educators Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike
I admit I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on my list because the baby and toddler books were on point and game-changing for our family. A helpful resource in all of these guides are the practical life skills that we can teach our kids at each age/stage. These books are phenomenal resources for parenting!
Favorite Back to School Books:
Let’s teach our kids to be kind and celebrate diversity. Here are some of our family favorites:
Bodies Are Cool, Tyler Feder
Milo Imagines the World, Matt de la Peña
12 Days of Kindness, Irene Latham
Same, Same But Different, Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Excerpts of this were featured here: ttps://newcastle.macaronikid.com/articles/66c87847b789de37bc423559/top-tips-to-make-back-to-school-as-easy-as-123 — this is a great resource for parents of kids in our neighborhood!
I know I’m ready AF for the routines and stability school brings. My family thrives on routines; it’s one of the biggest gifts we give each other. We aren’t perfect, we allow room for flexibility and spontaneity, but my wife and I show up as better partners and parents when we collaborate and conquer daily routines—and we notice fewer tantrums and easier transitions with our child. Win-win-win!