Just A Mom Trying

Summer’s almost over, and suddenly ‘back-to-school’ feels like it’s screaming at you, right? Is your house a total mess of old supplies, clothes your kids probably outgrew, and just… stuff? I totally get it. You’re probably staring at piles, trying to figure out what you even have, what size jeans they need, and what you actually need to buy. All that chaos can turn getting ready for school into a giant headache.

Why Starting Your Back-to-School Prep NOW is a Game-Changer

Let’s be real: nobody likes feeling rushed and overwhelmed, especially when it comes to getting the kids ready for school. If you wait until the last minute, you’re pretty much guaranteeing a chaotic few days. Imagine this: the kids are constantly asking, “When are we getting our stuff? When are we going shopping?” and you’re staring at piles, thinking, “Oh my gosh, how am I going to get all this done so quickly?!” That’s a recipe for stress, not a smooth transition.

But here’s the game-changer: if you start now, even just a month out, you actually have time. You can take a deep breath, really think through what you need, go through everything without feeling like you’re in a frantic race against the clock. The biggest thing here is that it’s not rushed. This also gives you plenty of leeway for when the task turns out to be a much bigger ordeal than you originally thought! Plus, when the kids are hounding you to go shopping and you’re still drowning in clutter, it’s way too easy to just throw your hands up and buy all new everything, even if you don’t need it. That means you end up spending way more money in the long run. Starting early helps you avoid those costly impulse decisions.

That means less stress for you, and a much calmer lead-up to the school year for everyone.

Where to Start: Tackle These Key Areas First!

Alright, you’re ready to dive in, but where do you even begin when it feels like “stuff” is everywhere? Focus on these common hotspots that tend to accumulate school-related clutter, and honestly, just anywhere kid stuff tends to land and pile up throughout your house!

1. The Kids’ Closets & Dressers: This is always a big one.
   • Time to go through all those clothes from last year. What still fits? What’s too small?
   • Don’t forget those “grow into” clothes you might have stashed away! Now’s the perfect time to pull them out and see if they’re ready for them.
   • Clear out anything that’s ripped, stained, or definitely outgrown to make room for new fall clothes (and see what you actually need to buy!)
2. The Backpack Graveyard: Be brave!
   • Let’s be honest, that backpack probably hasn’t been touched since the last day of school. It’s likely a treasure trove of crumpled papers, forgotten snacks (ew!), and maybe a few lurking school supplies.
   • Dump it all out! We’ll sort through everything to see what supplies can be saved and what needs to be tossed.
3. General Kid Clutter Zones (aka, The Entire House!):
   • Think about those spots where school papers, art projects, toys, and random kid-related items mysteriously gather. Maybe it’s the kitchen counter, the living room floor, or a specific bin in the hallway.
   • Do a quick sweep of these areas to gather anything that might be school-related (or just general clutter that needs to find a home) so it doesn’t get mixed in with new school gear.

Your Step-by-Step Organizing Roadmap

Ready to tackle the clutter? Don’t just dive in! The secret to actually getting things done is setting yourself up for success.

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro (aka, No Interruptions Allowed)

Before you even pull out the first item, you need to make sure you’re ready. Trust me, you don’t want to get halfway through a pile of clothes only to realize you desperately need to pee or grab a snack. So, take 10 minutes to do these quick things:

• Go to the bathroom. Seriously, do it now.
• Grab a drink. Whether it’s water, coffee, or your favorite soda, have it ready.
• Fuel up! Make sure you’ve eaten something so hunger isn’t pulling you away.
• Clear your space. Make sure you have enough room to pull stuff out, sort it, and move around without tripping.
• Lay down the law with the kids. This is crucial! Let them know you’re starting a task and they need to stay occupied (and ideally, out of your hair!) for a set amount of time. Set them up with an activity, put on a show, or bribe them with a future treat if needed!

Getting these small things out of the way will make a huge difference in your focus and productivity!

Step 2: Gather Your Tools & Create the “Dump Zone”

Now that you’re prepped, it’s time to get down to business! You’ll need a few things to make this process smooth:

• Sorting containers: Grab some empty laundry baskets, boxes, or totes. These will become your “keep,” “donate,” “trash,” and “relocate” bins.
• Notepad and pen: This is key for those “Oh, I need a new pair of size 8 shoes!” moments. You’ll be making notes of what needs to be replaced as you go.
• Your “Dump Zone”: Find one big, clear space (like the middle of the floor or the table) where you can dump absolutely everything from the area you’re organizing (the backpack, the drawer, the closet section). This might look messy at first, but it’s the only way to truly see everything you have.

Once your dump zone is ready, start pulling everything out of your chosen area and piling it up! Don’t sort yet, just get it all out so you have a blank slate.

Step 3: Sort with a Strategy (It’s Not Just “Keep or Toss” Anymore!)

Okay, everything’s in one big pile — now what? This is where your strategy comes in. As you pick up each item, don’t just think “do I keep it?” Instead, ask yourself these key questions and sort into your designated bins or piles:

• Still useful for now (Summer/Current): Does this item (like a summer shirt, a specific toy, a summer reading book) still need to stick around for the next few weeks until school starts? Put it in a “Summer Keep” pile.
• Ready for school: Is this something they’ll need as soon as school starts? (e.g., a good pair of jeans that fit, a still-good pencil case, last year’s functional lunchbox). Put these in a “School Start” pile.
• Ready for future seasons/growth: Is this something they’ll grow into, or a winter coat that’s perfectly good but just not needed yet? These go into a “Store for Later” bin. Make sure you clearly label this bin!
• Donate/Sell: Is it still in good condition but no longer fits, isn’t used, or isn’t needed by your kids? Put it in the “Donate/Sell” pile.
• Trash/Recycle: Is it broken, ripped and unmendable, stained beyond repair, or just plain garbage? Get it out!
• Relocate: Does it belong in another room or somewhere else entirely? Put it in the “Relocate” bin to deal with later.

Don’t forget your notepad! As you sort through clothes, jot down what sizes your kids actually need for the upcoming school year (e.g., “Johnny: size 8 jeans, needs 3 new shirts”). For supplies, note what’s missing or completely used up. This list will be your shopping lifesaver!

Step 4: Deal with the Piles (Don’t Delay!)

You’ve made your piles — awesome job! Now, the absolute key to success here is to deal with them immediately. Don’t let them sit and become new clutter zones.

• Start with the Trash: Grab your “Trash/Recycle” pile first and get it out of the room, into the bin, and out of your sight. This is quick, satisfying, and creates immediate clear space!
• Relocate the “Relocate” pile: Take those items that belong in other rooms and quickly put them where they go.
• Tackle “Donate/Sell”: Get these items bagged up and put them right by the door or in your car so they’re ready to go to the donation center or be listed for sale as soon as possible. Don’t let them linger!
• Put Away the “Keep” piles:
  • For “Summer Keep” items, put them back neatly where they belong for the next few weeks.
  • For “School Start” items, find a designated spot for them, Maybe it’s a specific drawer or a clear bin labeled “Back to School.”
  • For “Store for Later” items (like those winter clothes or larger sizes), make sure they go into clearly labeled storage bins in their designated long-term spot (like the top of a closet or garage).

Shop Smarter, Not Harder: What Do You REALLY Need?

Okay, you’ve done the hard work of decluttering and you’ve got your list of what’s missing. Now comes the shopping, but don’t just head to the store and grab everything new! This is where you can truly get your money’s worth and avoid overspending.

Here’s how to make smart shopping decisions:

• Think “Money’s Worth,” Not “Mass Quantity”: Resist the urge to buy 20 new shirts. Kids grow, and often they’ll wear the same few favorite outfits over and over. Instead of a huge pile of clothes that will only be worn a few times each, aim for fewer, higher-quality, versatile pieces.
• Embrace Mix & Match: When you are buying new, focus on items that can be easily mixed and matched with multiple other pieces. A few solid-colored t-shirts or versatile bottoms can create tons of different outfits, stretching your budget further.
• Prioritize Comfort & Functionality (It’s Not a Fashion Show!): This is a big one! Remember, your kids will be sitting at desks, playing on the floor, running at recess, and doing PE. Choose clothes that are comfortable, allow for easy movement, and are durable enough for everyday school life. Super fancy or restrictive outfits just aren’t practical for all those activities.
• Stagger Your Purchases: You don’t have to buy everything for the entire school year in August. Grab a couple of new things they definitely need now. Keep in mind that kids often hit a growth spurt around the holidays! You might find they need a whole new size in jeans or shirts by Christmas or the semester change. Planning for this can save you from buying clothes that are too small just a few months later.
• The Ultimate Question: “Is it a Need or a Want?”: Before anything goes into your cart (or the online checkout), ask yourself: Is this truly needed for school, or is it just a want? This simple question can save you a surprising amount of money and prevent unnecessary clutter from coming back into your organized space.

By applying these ideas to your shopping list, you’ll be able to grab exactly what your kids need without breaking the bank or overwhelming your newly organized home!

Your Reward: A Stress-Free Start to School (and a Calmer Home!)

You might be thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work!” And yes, it takes some effort upfront. But trust me, the payoff is absolutely worth it. When you take the time now to declutter and organize, you’re not just moving things around; you’re creating a ripple effect of calm and efficiency that will last long after the first school bell rings.

Imagine:

• Less Clutter, More Calm: When things have a place, your mind feels clearer. That nagging feeling of disorganization fades, leaving you less stressed and more focused.
• Easy Clean-Up, Every Day: With a system in place, it’s not just easier for you to keep things tidy — your kids will find it simpler to help too! No more wrestling with piles just to find a clean sock or a homework sheet.
• Smart Spending, Zero Waste: You’ll know exactly what you have and what you truly need. This means avoiding wasteful duplicate purchases and celebrating that feeling of getting every bit of value out of what you already own. In this economy, every dollar saved is a win!
• A Smooth Transition: Instead of scrambling at the last minute, you’ll feel prepared, confident, and ready to embrace the new school year with a sense of peace.

So, take a deep breath, grab your supplies, and tackle those back-to-school zones. You’ve got this, and a calmer, more organized school year is waiting for you!

What are your back-to-school tricks to making it work? Do you normally sort out the old before adding in? Or are you a more of go with the flow kind of gal? Let me know!