What helps the school year go more smoothly?

The kids are responsible for getting their backpacks ready before going to bed, and making sure they have all their homework, books, permission slips, etc in there, and that it is zipped up and ready to just grab and go in the morning. We sometimes need to remind them to do this, but as it becomes part of the nighttime routine it gets easier and easier!

My boys pick out their clothes the night before, and always check what the weather will be like to plan for it, as well as if they have gym or not. It makes getting dressed in the morning much easier!

Prepare lunches the night before. I have a fruit bowl and baskets with healthy snacks, so the kids can help prepare their lunches, too. If they help with preparation, they're more likely to eat it, too.

My kids also charge up their chromebooks after school/after homework so they are packed up fully charged for the next day.

I have my son put out his clothes for the next day the night before it makes it quicker in the morning to get ready for school.

I make a list of meal ideas for lunches. I scour fun kids food instagram pages for ideas so it is not the same old thing every day. I also buy fun things for lunch ahead of time (bento, silicone cups, crinkle cutters, food picks, lunch notes etc).

Start a routine a week before. In my house summer is a free for all. So, it is important we starr getting in better bedtime/wake up habits before the first day!

Start the bedtime routine a few weeks before school starts to get them back on a schedule

My daughter's going into 1st grade, and at this point she still has a hard time remembering if she's supposed to give or turn in something to her teacher on a certain day. So anytime she needs to do this, I make sure she has it in her hands as she's walking into school.

We like to make a weekly lunch menu. My son can then help making healthy choices to add to the menu. That way he knows what he's eating every day. My son doesn't like change, so this makes him less anxious about going to school.

Stock up on name labels! I love Mabel Labels for clothes, bentos, water bottles and masks.

For us, it's all about snacks and backpacks. Everynight before bed, we check that their backpack is packed, ready to go. Lunches packed and in the fridge ready to grab. Healthy snacks are a priority since study show that snacking increases information retention. To be more eco-friendly we bought reuseable snack containers, our favorite are banana savers, they keep their bananas from getting crushed or bruised (increasing the likelyhood of them eating them). We make sure to pack at least 2 snacks in every backpack.

We have a charge station always set up. Everything (except mom and dad's phones) get plugged in there by 8pm. As kids get older I'm sure we will revisit that time.

My youngest son is not a great breakfast eater and doesn't like many breakfast foods. So he and I plan what he will eat for breakfast the night before so I can have it ready, because items like baked ziti and tuna hoagies are not uncommon for his breakfast!

Before bed, we put shoes and coats near the door. Keeps us from losing precious time searching for that single mission shoe.

shop early, pack bookbags school supplies ,bath at night wash up morning

At LEAST 30 minutes of preparation each night at the same time- laying out clothes and shoes, packing any book bags or gym bags, packing snacks or lunches, getting any papers signed or money collected for lunches or events- everything will flow more smoothly in the mornings.

Run dishwasher when I go up to bed so I know there will be clean dishes for breakfast and that my smaller kids will be able to reach the needed dishes.

Your attitude determines your child’s attitude. Try to keep things positive snd use this year as a learning experience and an opportunity to teach them flexibility! 💗

We have a designated spot in the house for school library books to be kept so they don't get lost when they are at home. When the kids are finished reading the book, they go back to the spot and are ready for their weekly return date.

my granddaughter has her clothes picked out for the whole week its so easy like that then she has her bookbag ready next to the door with all her snacks me & her make her lunch put in the fridge and she put out a apple or banana on the table next to the door out the door we go its so much better like this stay safe all

Due to Covid-19, we keep extra masks in the car.

I have a weekly calendar filled in with each kiddos specials and lessons. It is color coded for each child so she knows when she needs gym shoes or library vooks

This will seem odd, but I always portioned school supplies. Took gallon size bags with 3 notebooks, a pack of pens, and pencils, and glue sticks in it. I usually made 12 and would give them one a month.

I make lunches the night before. I set up the coffee machine so I just press on. I also have their clothes ready.

We have a weekly dry erase calendar hanging by the door so everyone can easily check for after school activities, practices, social plans, appointments, etc each day as they come and go- everyone in the family is color coded so they can see their specific obligations easily.

I always give the teacher a nice little gift for the first day! I plan it early so I am not last minute printing/shopping. One of my favorites is a printable that says "Welcome back to the grind" and I add a coffee gift card to it!

Routine, routine, routine, can't stress having a good routine enough to make the week go by smoothly!

Definitely packing lunch and laying clothes out the night before.

I always have the cups, plates, utensils and non refrigerated items on the table for breakfast the night before. It definitely saves some time in the morning.

I put items that we will need or use for the next day in the car the night before.( i.e. umbrella, hat, sports equipment, etc.) This allows us to be ready to go and not worry about leaving anything behind.

The most important thing is to be organized and to also stick to a schedule during the school week. Getting to bed on time every night, preparing lunches the night before, selecting outfits the night before too.