Get Ready For Back-To-School In Five Steps

Sadly, beach time is over and this means it’s time for Back-To-School madness!  The process can be overwhelming for many children and parents, though often more so for the parents.  In my work, I’ve witnessed many families dispose of paperwork and unwanted items simply by stuffing them into bins, and storing them out of sight in the attic or the basement.  Eventually, these bins pile up and the next thing you know, your once empty storage spaces are filled to the ceiling.

To de-stress and make your life easier, here are five ways to handle Back-To-School time.

1. Declutter

Before you begin putting away all of the previous school year’s drawings, art projects, etc., determine whether or not they are one-of-many similar pieces that your child has made.  Do you need to save them all?  Children’s toys are another strong example of this.  How often are they being played with?  If the answer is rarely or never, donate them.  Same goes for clothing.

To make this process smoother and faster, it can be a good idea to involve your child.  You will be surprised at how much more kids are willing to throw away if they are making the choices.  Mothers tend to collect outdated possessions of their children for sentimental value.  Showing your child that it is okay to let go of possessions is a good lesson for them to learn.  It is also beneficial to involve children because it makes kids feel as though their opinions matter.  They are actively participating in the process of organizing their belongings.  In my experience, parents and children who team together when decluttering are more successful in the long run than parents who manage their children’s rooms alone.

If there are still many items you would like to keep but you have limited storage space, taking a picture and storing the image on your computer is both convenient and comforting.  Most people have a backup system and with appropriate folder labeling, your chances of losing the image are extremely low.

2. Organize

Organize the desk, playroom, arts corner, etc., in such a way that your child will find their supplies easily.  For this, I suggest working closely with each child.  I am sure some parents think that it will take them twice as long if their kids are in the way, but the truth is, by consulting with your child, you will be able to design an organizing system that is easy to use and maintain by your child.  I believe in building positive habits that encourage independence and self-sufficiency.

3. Reuse

When you are cleaning out desks, set aside all the materials that can be reused for the new school year.  I have discovered stacks of paper hidden under many drawings, after I’ve been shopping throughout the previous school year periodically for that precise type of paper.  Same goes for pencils, pens and all other school-related materials.

4. Make A List and Shop Smart

After assessing what you have and can reuse, make a list of all the basic things you might need.  Here is a helpful list detailing which basic supplies are usually required according to a child’s age from RealSimple.com.

If possible, wait to purchase special items/supplies specific to your child’s grade, as the school might require a particular brand, author, etc.  If you already know what’s needed, go ahead and make the purchase.

Often when you buy paper and office supplies, you are paying more for the particular brand name than the actual product.  You could save a lot of money (especially if you have more than one child) by purchasing the store brand legal pads, paper, pens, notebooks, etc.  Keep in mind that kids rarely view their school supplies as precious possessions, thus they don’t particularly care if their binder, for example, gets scratched, bent or destroyed faster than you expected.  Do not waste money on expensive things – stick to basics.

Big stores, like Staples, have many sales going on from computers and tablets to lunch totes and flash cards.  You can even shop by grade on their website.

Usually parents buy new clothes and shoes at the beginning of the school year and most stores take advantage of these sales by raising their prices.  My suggestions is this: Purchase a few outfits.  Then, in October, shop more when the prices of clothing and shoes are not only back to normal but are on sale!  If you are looking to save even more money, plan a day at the Outlets.

And last but not least, buy a backpack.  Buying a good backpack for your child is important; it has to hold everything throughout the school year and therefore, it needs to have strong support and durability.  Note: LL Bean and Lands’ End are brands that are worth investing the extra $20 or $30 because they offer a lifetime backpack warranty.  You can send your child’s pack back for strap replacements, zipper malfunctions, etc. and it is done absolutely FREE of charge, including shipping costs!

5. Reach Out

When families with children relocate to a new town, they are usually eager to learn more about the local school system.  Do not be afraid to reach out to other families in your child’s grade or to look online for the town’s Yahoo or Facebook group pages.  If you are feeling unsure about the driving route to your child’s new school, I strongly suggest practicing the route a few times before the school year starts.  Make sure to loop around side streets to better understand the surrounding area and get to know the flow of morning traffic.

Everyone has a different mode of preparation that works for their family.  If you are already using these five steps, congratulations!  You are one step closer to being a more organized and relaxed person.  If you find yourself having trouble going through some of these steps, we are always here to lend a hand!  Master The Time Concierge works with families and children of various ages.  We help with organization of the home or office any time of year, as well as helping to complete shopping for the items you need.  Feel free to contact us at 617-642-9918 or email us at info@masterthetime.com.

Happy New School Year!

~ Pavlina Atanasova @ Master The Time Concierge

Pavlina Atanasova started Master The Time Concierge in 2013 after working with clients for over 8 years as a personal assistant and home manager. She wanted to help more people to enjoy their free time or simply to be more focused at their work, rather than worrying daily for all the little details. She offers a variety of services, such as running errands, personal assistance, office help, home management, professional organizing, etc. She values the relationships with her clients and she’s always going out of her way to make sure they are happy with the end result.