Quite often, we rent dumpsters to schools to help with end-of-the-year clean up or to prepare for an upcoming term. Not too long ago, we made a delivery to a school in Norwood, PA and it reminded us just how stressful this time of year can be for parents and students alike.
To help ease the anxiety of “back to school,” we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you juggle those varying schedules seamlessly. The sum of our advice? Don’t get stressed, get organized.
1. Make lunch easy.
You want to give your kids a nutritious lunch, but you also need to make it to school and work on time. Make it easier on yourself by stocking up on healthier side options to accompany a sandwich. Rather than making an entire meal, throw together a sandwich and grab some yogurt or fruit out of the fridge.
2. Get into a laundry routine.
School uniforms can sometimes be a nightmare. It seems like constant washing, folding, ironing. The laundry piles up and then you’re scrambling to get it done. Come up with a routine that works for you. For example, we like to iron shirts for the week on Sundays then hang them up. It really cuts hassle out of the morning.
3. Less house work, more homework.
Don’t get stressed if the kitchen floors haven’t been mopped. You can scale your normal cleaning routines down while you’re busy and catch up when you have extra time. Instead, channel that energy into getting your kids on an effective homework and studying routine.
4. Don’t forget breakfast!
There’s a reason breakfast is called the most important meal of the day, and that’s especially true for kids in school who eat on a schedule. A bowl of cereal is a quick but filling breakfast. On days when you’re really running late, grab a banana and a granola bar to eat in the car.
5. Label, label, label.
Don’t you hate buying expensive school necessities, only for them to go missing at the most inopportune times? It’s worth it to write your child’s name in his or her sweater, lunchbox, books, and other accessories. That way, it’s more difficult for classmates to mistake those items for their own.
Best of luck for the upcoming school year! We hope these tips help!