With summer winding down and school approaching, it is the time when all the moms and kids are talking about — preparing for school. Stores are stocked with endless supplies and lists are sent out from schools full of needs for blue and red folders.

For many moms, this time of the year brings about a mixture of feelings. There is the wish for summer to last forever and yet at the same time, the urgent need for the routine of school. As you set out to prepare for school, here are five ways you can prepare.

5 Things You Need To Do Before The First Day of School

Have After School Snacks Ready! 

Kids come home hungry! What are some snacks you can have on hand for them? What are some snacks you can easily send with them to take the after school care? While you are out buying pencils and book bags, also pick up some good after school snack options. You will not regret stocking up on some Ziploc baggies.  These protein balls are the perfect snack to have ready when they get home. 

Homework Station

No one is a fan of homework, but having a homework station can help lessen the stress. Put together a caddy of all the supplies your kids may need for homework. Basic essentials: sharpened pencils, colored pencils, ruler, paper, markers, and crayons are generally needed. Set the caddy in an easily accessible location.  We’ve made a DIY Homework Station from Ikea & Hobby Lobby items and it’s perfect for our kids. 

Calendar

As you receive important dates from school, go ahead and enter them into your calendar. Consider syncing your phone and your husband’s so all of the dates will be entered in both. No one wants to forget a half day of school, so take the time now to enter all of these important dates.

While I don’t think that you need a certain color for everyone in the house, I do think that you need to write it all down or put it in one place that you can go-to every morning.  I still keep mine on my refrigerator, on a calendar.  It’s there for the whole family to see, every day.

School Papers Plan

You are about to enter into the time when there is a constant flow of papers piling onto your counters. Decide now what homework organizing system you will use. Will you file the papers? Keep them in a binder? Come up with a plan and explain it to your kids as well. From day one, use your plan and soon it will become second nature.

Meals

As school and sports kick into gear, mealtimes can become hectic. This is a great time to consider preparing some freezer meals or  one-pan meals for your family.  I suggest stocking up on some paper plates for rushed meals.
Tip: Every week, when you make your meals, double one meal.  Freeze them and save these meals for when you are in a rush.  If you know that you will be busy that day, thaw it out & cook it for dinner.
Or make one of these slow-cooker meals (I love using my crockpot, because I can just get it ready in the morning & by dinner time, it’s good to go): 

While these preparations will not completely eliminate the stress of back to school, they will help ease the process. What other areas do you like to prepare for back to school?   Share your tips on our Facebook page. 

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