Fall Organization Tips for Parents

Fall Organization Tips for Parents

August 05, 2024

As a mom of three, fall can hit me like a freight train. If that’s what’s happened to you so far, I have some hard-learned advice to share. Here are my tips for staying on top of everything as we settle into the school year rhythm.

1. Create a Lunch Assembly Station

Mornings are busy enough, so why not streamline the process? Set up a dedicated station where you can quickly pack lunches. I like to keep everything in one spot—containers, snacks, sandwich bags—so I can assemble lunches in minutes. This also helps with getting the kids out the door faster, along with charged iPads and backpacks ready to go.

Pantry at our Luxury Spec Home Build project

2. Simplify Meal Planning

Meal planning has saved me so much time and stress. Each week, I create a simple meal plan and post it where everyone can see it. We stick to a routine, which makes grocery shopping easier and cuts out any last-minute dinner decisions. The kids know what’s coming, and I avoid the endless "What’s for dinner?" questions. This approach keeps things simple and stress-free.

3. Stock Up on Health Essentials

Back-to-school is also back-to-germs. I always keep vitamins on hand and encourage the kids to drink plenty of water and eat foods that support their immune systems. A little extra focus on gut health and hydration can make a big difference. I also remind them to use hand sanitizer at school to cut down on the inevitable colds.

4. Hold Off on the Back-to-School Shopping Rush

Before buying fall clothes, we go through the kids' current clothes to see what still fits. Then, once the school year is in full swing and the weather begins to change, I find better deals for the items they do need. It’s an approach that works well and keeps the shopping simple. It also gives my kids a chance to see which fall styles they really like.

5. Lay Out a Week’s Worth of Outfits

A game-changer for us, especially when the kids were younger, has been laying out a full week of clothes on Sunday night. The kids pick their outfits for Monday through Friday, and we’re all set for the week. This avoids the last-minute scramble in the mornings and cuts down on digging through laundry piles or needing to do emergency laundry during the week.

Laundry room at our Luxury Spec Home Build project

6. Set Up a Breakfast Bar

Breakfast doesn’t need to be a headache. I set up a self-serve breakfast bar with easy options like cereal, fresh fruit, protein bars, and oatmeal. There’s coffee and tea for the adults, and juice in the fridge. The kids can grab what they want, and it takes one more task off my plate in the mornings. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.

Breakfast bar at our Hollywood Regency Residence project

7. Organize After-School Snacks

Just like breakfast, after-school snacks can be organized ahead of time. I set up a snack station where the kids can grab what they want after school. Sometimes I even make a list of what's in the fridge, so they know their options. It avoids the "there’s nothing to eat" complaints, and they can help themselves while I focus on other things.

Snacks on the marble countertop at our Luxury Spec Home Build project

From packing lunches to planning meals and outfits, a little preparation goes a long way. With a few simple systems in place, your mornings and afternoons can run smoothly, leaving you with more time and energy for the important stuff. Here's to a successful school year!

Samantha Krusic