While there is much excitement surrounding the back-to-school season, this can often be a stressful time for a family. Back-to-school means additional shopping for items needed for the classroom and many more evenings and weekends filled with classmate birthday parties and sporting events. Sometimes it is a lot to handle!

While it is never easy to keep track of every requirement, here are a few back-to-school tips to help you keep the entire family organized.

Plan Ahead

• Make a master list of all the back-to-school items you need. Everything from required school supplies to shoes, clothes and backpacks. Each time you head out to run errands, take that list with you so you can purchase a few of the items. This will help you avoid the last-minute rush.
• Think about ways you can easily navigate the breakfast routine, especially after the fun of going back to school wears out. Make grab-and-go breakfast ahead of time that can be quickly heated up in the microwave.
• Dedicate a spot in your home where school items go and get in the habit of placing them there the night before. While it doesn’t seem like much, it will help shuffle everyone out the door – with everything they need – in time each day.
• If your after-school life is filled with activities such as scouts, dance and/or sports, prepare a menu of easy-to-cook meals. You may even want to prepare a few meals now and freeze them. Also think about easy on-the-go snacks and stock up.

Clean Out Clutter

• Before a lot of new clothes and paperwork comes in the door from this school year, take time to clear out the old clutter. If clothes don’t fit, donate them. If backpacks and lunchboxes will be replaced, discard last year’s. If you still have artwork and other loose papers from last year, store or scan them.

Organize for Your Sanity

• Moms and dads have a lot to keep track of. Think about what worked last year and what didn’t and try to improve upon the system. Take some time to look through Pinterest or Houzz to find new ways to stay organized with everything associated with your kids’ activities and events.