A row of yellow pencilsIf you are anything like us, your days have probably become a bit “laid back” over the summer. With Back to School day on the horizon, here are my tips to get back into a routine with minimal effort, all ready to start this new school year as your most organised yet!

1 Get some sleep!

School days start early, which means we all have to start earlier too. Use the last week before the new term to transition bedtimes and wake-up times back to the school day routine.  Starting the evening routine 15 minutes early each night will help your family edge towards their new bedtimes.  Start waking up earlier too, in preparation for those early morning starts.

yellow alarm clock on a white duvet

2 Evening prep

You’ve heard it all before, but a few minutes of preparation the night before saves a lot of stress in the morning. Pack school lunches, lay out clothes, check the diary and gather everything needed for the following day (swimming bag, sports kit, music lessons, signed permission slips…). Get the children involved too by giving them their own age-appropriate responsibilities to organise their school day the night before.

3 Weekly checklist

Plan an hour each weekend to prepare for the week ahead. I use my weekly checklist each Sunday to set me up for a More Organised week.

4 School uniform

Double-check that you have all the school uniform ready (washed, ironed, labelled) and that it all fits. Work out a laundry routine to keep it that way through the term.

5 Form a new habit!

Get into the habit of always putting your keys / phone / bag in the same place when you get home. That way you will know where to find them in the morning, and avoid last minute panics. While you are at it, pop the children’s packed school bags by the front door too, and in the morning you’ll be good to go!

6 Mission control

Place a small blackboard, whiteboard or pinboard by the front door for reminders, or set up a “Mission Control” to keep your family super-organised!

More Organised - Mission Control www.moreorganised.com

7 Check the car

Check that your car is organised, clean and roadworthy. Are the children’s car seats safe, clean and the appropriate size? If you are going to a new school, check the quickest route… what time will you need to leave? Do a practice run if necessary. Where will you park? Will you need change to pay for parking?

8 After-school activities

Have you organised after-school activities? Check that you have registered and paid for any classes, and written them on the family calendar. As well as scheduling the time for the activity itself, it can also be helpful to mark on your calendar or to-do list when you need to prepare for that class, at least until everyone is back in the swing of things for the new term. (For example, washing netball kit, cleaning football boots. practicing piano or preparing badge work for Cubs/Brownies).

Supplies for back to school including schoolbag notebook and pencils

9 Charge your phone

Check that your camera or phone is charged and ready for those cute “First Day Back at School” photos.

10 Start a back to school tradition

Start a new family tradition and plan a “Back to School” treat for the day before the new term starts. It could be a family movie, supper at your favourite restaurant, or a simple trip to the park for some back to school photos. Whatever you decide, make it a celebration to look back on new summer memories, and look forward to a successful year ahead!

What are you doing to get ready for the new school year?  Please share – I’d love to hear from you!

Letter board with words "Too cool for school" next to a pot of yellow pencils