How to Organize for Stress-Free Back to School Mornings

Now that the kids are back in school and many parents are returning to the office, mornings can be hectic. With everyone trying to eat breakfast, make lunches and gather their items for the day, there is little time left over. Wouldn’t it be great to organize everyone to create stress-free back to school mornings? That’s where systems and organization can be a big help.

Declutter

Having too many items around creates havoc when you’re rushing to get out the door. Declutter areas where you and your children are trying to get ready in the morning. Put away items to keep and toss items you no longer need or want. If you have a lot of items you’d like to get rid of, contact 123JUNK!

To prevent clutter from building up, create drop bins for trash and items that need to be put away. Create one bin for each person that they can take to their rooms at the end of each day.

Create a Command Center

Dedicate one space as your home’s Command Center, and outfit it with anything required for last-minute preparation. Stock it with a clock, pens and pencils, the weekly schedule, a calendar, paper pads, safety pins, Band-Aids, stapler, ruler, tape, erasers, and a parent’s inbox for important papers that need to be signed and returned.

Create Stress-Free Morning Zones

Create a zone for each person into which they can put items needed for the following day. It’s a great way to “grab and go” for a stress-free back to school morning routine. Install cubbies near the front door for bookbags and briefcases. Dedicate a section of the kitchen counter or island for lunch preparation. Place non-perishable lunch items into marked bins, and refrigerated items in one section of the appliance. Here’s how one mom does it.

Develop Stress-Free Routines and Schedules

A key to creating a stress-free morning is to not have to think about what to do. That’s where a routine comes in handy. Create a schedule for the kids of what time to get up, what grooming items to perform (making the bed, brushing teeth, combing hair, washing face, getting dressed, etc.), and what time to come to the table for breakfast. Keep in mind the ultimate schedule item of what time they must leave for school. Have clocks available in each area in order to keep track of time. For younger children, create a picture chart.

If the children are involved in making their own lunches, make a schedule for that too. Assign individual responsibilities, or take turns each week as lunch makers. If the children will be buying lunch at school, make sure they have their lunch money, or establish a school lunch account with the school.

Start the Night Before

Each evening, lay out the items that will be required for the next day. This can significantly help create a stress-free morning. Make sure homework, bookbags and jackets are in the cubbies. Lay out the outfit and shoes. Pack non-perishable items in lunch bags and lunch boxes. Get baths out of the way. And check the schedule and family calendar for any out-of-the-ordinary schedule changes.

123JUNK Loves Stress-Free Back to School Mornings

As a junk removal company, we are probably more aware than others of the chaos clutter can cause. We see it every day in our job. That’s one reason we transitioned to a paperless office! And we try to implement these tips into our own mornings to reduce stress and get our families out the door on time.

Our goal at 123JUNK is to provide home and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC with one trusted resource for junk removal. We also make it our mission to protect our environment with our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose. Our clients love that too.

When you need junk hauling, contact 123JUNK and talk to a live representative.

Check out the recent Redfin article we were
featured in: Create a Clean and Organized Home
with These 22 Tips

It’s easy for homes to become disorganized and
full of clutter. Whether you have numerous
belongings or always seem to accumulate more,
it’s easy for it to become unmanageable. If so,
consider incorporating structure into your
cleaning routine. Creating simple habits will help
you avoid the clutter and mess that always
seems to accumulate at home. Once you begin
practicing these new habits, you’ll notice how
much easier it is to create a clean and organized
home.

Read the full article here: Create a Clean and
Organized Home with These 22 Tips | Redfin