After a long and colorful summer together, your kids are due back in the classroom any day now. Finally. This return to normalcy can come as a relief to both working and stay-at-home parents everywhere, but it’s not without its own challenges. With school starting just around the corner, your family faces an incredibly busy time of year as everyone gets back into their old habits. Make sure you’re ready for the transition by organizing your home strategically and start the school year with ease.
Hang up a scheduler
Once everyone has to be out of the house at, roughly, the same time, the bathroom will be prime real estate. If you expect to have any time for yourself as you get ready in the morning, you should invest in a scheduler. Take a look at these examples for inspiration. It doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as it’s clear when everyone gets to use the bathroom. Add other chores, activities, and expectations on this schedule to keep everyone organized through the week.
Make a snack drawer
Kids arrive back home after the school day starving, so they won’t be able to last until dinner without snacking. If left to their own devices, they’ll fill up on sweet or salty snacks that have no nutritional value. Don’t let them ruin their dinner. Make a self-serve snack drawer that makes it easy for your kids to grab a treat in between meals. Stock yours with granola bars, nuts, raisins, and other healthy snacks in an easy-to-reach drawer or cupboard in the kitchen.
Design a homework nook
If last year’s end of year report cards revealed less than stellar marks, it’s up to you to help them improve their grades. A personalized homework nook can help them focus on their assignments. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want, but make sure it has all the basics your kids need to succeed: enough space to spread out, the tools they need to finish assignments, and a comfortable place to sit. You should also install this homework station in a part of the house that’s quiet but easily accessible, so you can keep a close eye on them should they need help.
Tackle your finances
Between back-to-school shopping, added education costs, and field trip expenses, it’s easy to go over your budget at the start of the school year. You should build a budget that’s prepared for these expenses, making sure to include any purchases you made to create your snack drawer or homework nook. A well-made budget that puts aside 10–20% of income towards savings can help you face these expenses without worry.
If you ever find yourself in a financial bind after spending too much on necessary back-to-school supplies, the folks at MoneyKey offer convenient online payday loans. It won’t take much time to learn more about how these opportunities work or how they differ from traditional personal loans. With resources and applications available online, these lenders make it easy for busy parents to educate themselves about their options.
The fall is a busy time of year for families, so anything that can save you time will come as a huge advantage. Organize your home for success by following these tips, and your family will be ready for the start of school.