Summer has arrived! Time for flip-flops and swimming suits. The last thing you’re thinking about is how to get organized for school. That’s months away, right?
Meanwhile, the backpacks are tossed on the floor with papers and lunch boxes still inside. The contents are left to decompose. Perhaps you have piles like this scattered all over your house?
In August, articles will fill your feed about how to “get kids organized for school.” But what if you did something about it now? And saved time and money.
Advertising Works
Soon, back-to-school sales will flood the aisles of local stores. Advertising hits you at every turn. The advertisements convince you that your children need a brand new box of 24 sharpened pencils, colorful scissors, cute erasers, and a box of fresh crayons. (I do love new crayons.)
But I’m pretty sure the June scissors will still work in August. So before these ads beckon to you like a siren, why not spend a little time unloading the backpacks and pencil cases to see what you have?
You might find you already own most of next year’s supply list. You may also find a moldy banana.
Consume Your Consumables
Using existing inventory is a great way to save time and money. [bctt tweet=”When you reduce inventory, storage spaces have a way of organizing themselves.” username=”simplyenoughamy”]
I bet your school supply list is mostly covered by what you own. And you can place a small order for missing items. Online ordering eliminates the last-minute shopping trip and impulse buys, like new crayons. 🙂
All that being said, it’s not unreasonable to purchase one special back-to-school item. Make this item the star of school supplies and allow your kids to choose. By reusing items, you can still say yes to a special item, save money and reduce waste.
I can hear the arguments now.
“But we always buy new school supplies.”
“It’s a fun family shopping trip to Target.”
I get it but I disagree.
My friend, there are some important lessons here. Going through the backpack together teaches your kids about saving money. And how to reduce waste and care for our planet. Plus, you can still do something fun to celebrate back-to-school with the time and money you just saved! But not shopping.
How to Get Organized
Pick a day for this task when the kids are home and everyone has recovered from the end of school. Make a big breakfast and tackle this early in the day when everyone is fresh. Chores first, WIFI code second. 🙂
- Clear the kitchen table or another flat surface for this project.
- Backpack – Have kids empty the entire backpack. Wash in the washing machine. Check tags for cleaning instructions. Use baking soda to remove odors. Hang dry and you are ready for August. No, you do not need a new backpack every year.
- Gym Clothes – Wash gym clothes immediately. Check the size. Set them aside with a small towel, bar of soap, and deodorant. You are ready for next year! I know, kids rarely shower. But after slipping in goose-poop, my son was happy to have soap and a towel for emergencies.
Folders – Empty and set aside folders that can be re-labeled and re-used. We use the same color each year for a specific subject. (Math-blue, English-red, Science-yellow) As a visual learner, color-coding helps my son stay organized and makes re-using easy.- School Papers – Recycle all the papers. Yes, throw them away. Ask your student what they’d like to keep. Respect their decision. Here is how I handle Kids’ Art.
- Pencil Case – Empty the pencil case or box. Wipe down cloth cases or use soap and water on plastic boxes. Have your student test pens, highlighters, and markers. Sharpen pencils as needed.
- Lunch Box and Water Bottle – Clean and dry both items thoroughly. Run your water bottle through the dishwasher or use vinegar to remove bacteria. Stay healthy with a clean water bottle.
Re-Use and Repurpose
What did you find in the pile? Any hand-me-downs to pass on to a sibling? Remember new isn’t always better.
Repack the backpacks and you’re ready for August.
Now, go enjoy some summer fun!
Leave a Reply