By Kelly Corkery
I recently read an article about organizing for back to school. One of the suggestions was related to shifting your schedule from long summer nights to early bedtimes for the kiddos.
The advice read something like a week or so before school starts, do a run-through of your morning routine, including getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing up. This would be beneficial for everyone as you’ll be able to work out any potential issues and get comfortable with the schedule. I laughed out loud. Hard.
It's a lovely concept but completely unrealistic in our household. The night before the first day of school typically consists of wired kids, bouncing with excitement in anticipation of reuniting with friends. Sure, their backpacks are loaded with school supplies, and they might have a clean outfit picked out for the morning, but there is no early bedtime or trial run-through.
Instead, we embrace the chaos of the first day of school and the challenge of sharing one bathroom as we all tumble over each other to get ready for work and school. I get it, switching from summer-mode to having a full-on schedule can be quite overwhelming so, instead of a hard stop we just keep on going about our daily lives with some modest changes.
Yes, eventually we aim for earlier bedtimes. Sure, I do some early online school supply shopping to save time and avoid other frazzled parents at Staples, but I no longer panic if they are sold out of blue double-pocket duotangs. My kids, and their teachers, will survive.
This article went on to talk about the latest in back-to-school clothing trends and to do your shopping early for best selection and to avoid disappointment. Hard stop. Anything new is a privilege and not a requirement when returning for the school year. Instead, let’s normalize second hand shopping and hand me downs. Thrift shops and local buy nothing groups are an incredible source of gently used clothing and shoes in excellent condition. Might I suggest checking out Thrifty Christies in Head of Jeddore and Piper and Max in Porters Lake? Additionally, I’ve scored school supplies at the Salvation Army, brand new in packages.
Something that I like to do as an organizer, typically on a rare rainy summer Sunday afternoon, is to do a quick sweep of my kid’s closet/dressers. I make a pile of any outgrown clothes to pass down or donate. I get my kids involved with the process because, with all the sunshine and lake water, it’s shocking how much they can grow over the summer months! Also, it teaches them the process, so as they get older, I hold out the hope that they can eventually do it all by themselves. Fingers crossed.
I also take time to go through any leftover supplies that they brought home from the last day of school. Ideally, I recommend doing this at the beginning of summer (be sure to check lunch bags too or you might have an unwelcome surprise months later!) Once I’ve gone through everything and taken an inventory, I can fill in the holes with new purchases if necessary. Or go on the hunt for second hand.
Affordability and cost of living is something that impacts many families—back to school purchases can be a significant financial strain. Consider donating school supplies and pre-packed snacks to your local school.
In closing, certainly, it’s important to organize for back to school but can we please ease up on the “shoulds” and enjoy summer for as long as possible?