Back to School Zones

The back to school season can be exciting and overwhelming. There are new schedules to manage, supplies to purchase and sometimes new schools to navigate. As parents we want to set up our kids for success and that begins at home.

Figuring out what works for your family takes time plus some trial and error. Creating spaces and routines at the start will only help you build habits that serve your family and get school days started well. Incorporate these zones + tricks to help your day run a little more smoothly.

Hooks on their level

Backpacks + coats can live here at the end of the day.

Have your kids prep their bags the night before.

Command Center

In a central location like the kitchen or mudroom, install a calendar plus bulletin board for fliers, reminders, extracurricular information, invites, and reference items. Creating a landing spot for these items minimizes the need to always check your phone or computer for info.

Incorporate a folder or wall file for each child or school to keep items separate.

Lunch Zone

Build their independence with a lunch packing zone on their level - either a cabinet or drawers with lunchbox, bento boxes/bags, thermos’, cutlery, napkins, water bottles.

Keep a basket or a few of snacks or grab and go items that can be included.

Backstock

Designate a drawer or bin with backstock school supplies to pull from throughout the year with pencils, pens, highlighters, markers, extra notebooks, paper, etc.

HOMEWORK

Determine where homework will be completed and keep organized supplies on hand - either in a drawer nearby or in a divided lazy susan. Include pencils, sharpeners, erasers, highlighters, colored pencils, and glue sticks.

Checklists

Have the kids create their own checklists to hang in their room, next to their backpack or by the door to remind them of prep needed in the evenings and mornings. Sometimes when we are tired, it’s helpful to have visual reminders. Use pictures with younger children.

Paper Keepsake Box

Art is usually prolific in the younger years, or we just want to remember their interests at a particular age (lots of unicorns or Spiderman drawings!). Create a keepsake box for each child with folders for each school year. As art, report cards, school photos, or awards come home, add them to your child’s keepsake box. Learn how to make your own here.

When you have a home and routine that match your family’s current season, your day runs more smoothly. Your future self will thank you for setting these up now.

Simple Meal Planning: Monthly + Theme Nights

I love to organize, but cooking is not my jam. As kids have gotten older and school evenings have become busier, I find it even more challenging. Over the years I have tried many systems to help ease food prep from weekly meal planning before a grocery shop, minimalist meal plan (basically the same thing every week) or meal prepping on the weekend for the week ahead. Here is what has been working best for us over the last year:

Monthly Meal Planning

• Doing this weekly made it seem like I was always planning meals, but simplifying down to once a month helps me look at the monthly schedule as a whole.

• We take into account what events and activities are happening.

• We can be intentional about planning our eating out.

• We can incorporate the more involved recipes we love into the weekends. (Plus this usually provides at least a night of leftovers)

• I keep a list of family favorites and then add in some takeout/eating out, leftover nights and new recipes.

• Monthly Meal Planner Here.

Theme Nights

We don’t necessarily eat the same things every week, but we stick to these themes to inspire our monthly meal plan.

Monday Pasta Night: spaghetti with meat sauce or meatballs, tortellini or ravioli, lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, or penne with marinara, with a side of garlic bread and either a salad, fruit or roasted vegetables.

Taco Tuesday: soft or hard shell beef tacos, chicken chimichangas, quesadillas, chicken tortilla soup, taco bowls, or loaded nachos

Wednesday: Triple S: soup, salad, sammie - potato soup, chili, chicken noodle or tomato soup. French bread oven sandwich, grilled cheese, italian sub, ham and cheese sliders or even burgers + hot dogs.

Thursday: Easy Peasy: leftovers, freezer meal, breakfast for dinner, baked potatoes, Rotisserie chicken or snacky supper tray

Friday: Pizza night - either takeout, Naan/bagel/english muffin MYO pizza, frozen pizza, calzones or stromboli

Saturday/Sunday: Grille, Bake or Roast dinner with an occasional Eat Out night

Streamlining this process for busy seasons of life can minimize the decision fatigue of meal prepping. Hope this helps!