Now that the kids are back in school, the initial excitement of a new school year has given way to the daily routine—and the potential chaos that comes with it. As a busy family, maintaining order is key to keeping stress at bay and ensuring everyone stays on track for success. With a few strategic systems in place, you can create a smoother transition from home to school and back again. In this blog, we’ll share some practical tips on setting up zones and hubs in your home, as well as some fun and clever ideas to keep your morning and evening routines running smoothly.
Maintain an Organized Supply Station
An organized school supply station is a game-changer for busy families, providing a central spot where kids can easily access everything they need for their homework and projects. Start by designating a specific area in your home, whether it’s a shelf, a cart, or a set of drawers, dedicated solely to the back stock of school supplies. Use clear bins or labeled containers to sort items like pencils, markers, glue sticks, and various paper, making it easy for kids to find what they need and return items when they're done.
To keep the station functional throughout the school year, establish a routine of weekly check-ins to restock essentials and tidy up. By involving your kids in maintaining the supply station, you not only teach them responsibility but also ensure that their work spaces remain clutter-free, making homework time less stressful and more productive. As the school year progresses, some supplies may no longer be needed, while others may become essential. Take note of these changes and adjust your supply station accordingly.
This homework hub is brought to you by our Home School mom Jasmene! She has 2 girls left out of her
5 at-home learning.
Here's what Jasmene had to say about their space, "It’s messy right now…but real life is messy right?! This is the girls' school room. This includes craft projects and music books.
Our routine: We wake up, read scriptures, and have family prayer. The girls are generally done by about 11. We have lunch. Then they get to read and practice music. They do their daily chores. We try and do one field trip a week; to the zoo, a hike, or the library.
I use the todyapp to help me assign chores: https://todyapp.com/
This app has lightened my mental load on dealing with who has done what and when it was done."
Establish a Designated Homework Hub
Creating a designated homework hub in your home can significantly enhance your child's focus and productivity during study time. Choose a quiet, comfortable spot—whether it’s a corner of the living room, a desk in their bedroom, or even a section of the kitchen table—where your child can work on assignments without distractions. Equip the area with a few essential supplies and chargers for electronic devices, and consider adding a calendar to help track due dates and upcoming projects. To make the space even more inviting, let your child personalize their homework hub with favorite colors, inspiring quotes, or small decorations.
By establishing this dedicated space, you not only help your child develop a consistent study routine but also create a clear boundary between work and play, making the transition from home to schoolwork smoother and more effective. Establish a consistent homework routine that includes a set time and place for study. Encourage your kids to follow this routine daily to build good habits and reduce procrastination. After homework is done, take a few minutes to reset the homework hub- or teach your kids to! You can work together to put away completed assignments, clear off any clutter or trash, and ensure that everything is ready for the next day. This small step makes a big difference in keeping the area productive and helps your children learn orderliness and gain a sense of comfort from this daily routine.
This dropzone is from our newest Personal Assistant/Organizer on the team Alisa. Her daughter knows just where to put her things when she gets home from school!
This dropzone is from Megan on the team. She has 4 kids...one off at college and the other 3 still at home. She also fosters children so if they are school-aged, they follow suit. Backpacks by the door and her paper management system. She has a folder for each kid. When there are papers or invites ect that come home she puts them in their folder so she knows where to find them when she needs them.
Reassess Your Drop Zone
The drop zone is the designated spot where kids unload their shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes and water bottles as soon as they walk in the door. With the school year in full swing, it’s essential to reassess your drop zone to ensure it’s keeping up with your family’s needs- because it’s really easy for this space to become a dumping ground! If your current drop zone isn’t working—perhaps it’s too small, too cluttered, or simply not being used as intended—it might be time for a refresh. Consider relocating the drop zone to a larger or more convenient area, like a corner of the entryway, a hallway nook, or even a section of the mudroom or kitchen.
If space is limited, use vertical storage solutions like wall-mounted hooks for backpacks and jackets, along with shelves for shoes and water bottles. We love using benches with cubby storage for sitting to take off shoes and for shoe storage underneath! Incorporate labeled bins or baskets for homework and papers, making it easy to sort and store items. If the original drop zone isn’t meeting your needs, don’t hesitate to reconfigure it—sometimes a simple change, like adding more storage or rearranging the layout, can make all the difference. A well-organized drop zone helps streamline the transition from school to home, keeping your space tidy and reducing the morning scramble.
Create a Snack Hub and Lunch Prep Station
Designating a spot in your kitchen or pantry for after-school snacks and daily lunch prep can simplify your family’s routine and encourage healthy eating habits. Set up a snack station at a low, easily accessible level where kids can grab pre-portioned, nutritious snacks like fruit, granola bars, or trail mix without needing assistance. Use clear bins or baskets to keep the options organized and visible, making it easy for them to make quick choices.
In another nearby location, designate a separate area for preparing daily to-go lunches. Stock this space with essentials like reusable containers, sandwich bags, water bottles and non-perishable food items that can be easily grabbed. Having a dedicated lunch prep zone allows you to streamline the morning rush, making it easy to assemble lunches in a snap. This organization not only saves time but also promotes independence, helping kids take responsibility for their snacks and lunches while maintaining a clutter-free kitchen.
Develop Morning and Evening Routines that Stick
Establishing effective morning and evening routines can make a significant difference in how smoothly the school day begins and ends for your kids. For a positive start, create a morning ritual that motivates and energizes them. Consider setting up a “wake-up playlist” with their favorite gentle or upbeat songs (according to their personality) to kick start their day. Alternatively you could use a fun visual alarm clock that gradually lights up to mimic a sunrise. You can also introduce a “morning dance party” or a brief stretching routine to get everyone moving and enthusiastic about the day ahead.
In the evening, establish a calming wind-down routine to signal that bedtime is approaching. Dim the lights an hour before bed to create a relaxing atmosphere, and incorporate mindfulness activities such as deep breathing exercises, gentle yoga stretches, or a bedtime story that encourages relaxation. A warm bath with soothing lavender or chamomile can also help signal that it’s time to unwind.
By making these routines enjoyable and consistent, you’ll help your kids transition smoothly. If setting these routines with your kids feels challenging and they are reluctant to adopt these changes, you can always encourage routine setting by offering incentives. For example, you can create a reward system where your kids earn points for completing their routines on time. These points can be exchanged for small treats, activities or extra playtime on the weekends.
Embracing the back-to-school season can feel like navigating a whirlwind of chaos, and that's completely normal. Every family faces the challenge of juggling new routines and responsibilities, and it's okay if things get a bit out of hand. Remember, peace of mind is priceless, and a little organization can be your secret weapon in achieving it. By setting up smart systems and fun routines, you’re not just creating order and harmony in your home—you are setting an example for your children on how to manage their lives when they grow up. As you master these organizational skills, you'll find that the daily chaos becomes more manageable and the family’s overall well-being improves. And if you don’t know where to begin and you have already hit your wall of overwhelm- don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support. We’re here to help turn your chaos into calm. Here’s to a school year filled with less stress, more joy, and a home that feels like a haven.
Love from all of us,
-Felicia's Best!
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