Back to School Checklist

My kids start school in less than two weeks! I really am in denial, but also know it is time to get everything ready, so I have created a back to school check list.

3 Weeks Before School

  [] Go through your kids closets, take out clothes that are too small or too worn out.  Create a donation and a throw away pile.

  [] Check your school supplies.  Do you have any left over from last year?  Get a list ready and then start watching the ads.  If you shop around you will be able to find great sales and often even free items at stores like Office Max and Staples.

  [] Clean out your In-Box.  Do you have a place you keep school papers?  If not this is a great time to get some sort of bin/file system for all those papers that will soon be coming.  I love the Power of Mom's MOM Organizational system.  If you have a box- clean out any extra papers, ready to start fresh for the new school year.

2 Weeks Before School
  [] Clothes Shopping- now that you know what your kids have grown out of, replace the wardrobe basics.   Don't forget socks and shoes!

  [] School supplies- if you do not have a list from your teacher yet, just buy a few of the basics you know you will need and wait for the list.  This is also a great time to buy any markers, crayons, pens, etc. you may want in your home during the year as prices won't be this low again until next school year.

1 Week Before School
  [] Plan lunches- if your kids buy, sit down with your kids and look at the school menus to see which days they want to buy, or begin planning lunches to pack.

       You can check out my Easy School Lunch Ideas posts:

Easy School Lunch Ideas-Click here! 

I'm Not Martha School Lunch Ideas-Click Here!

[] Plan any back to school pictures/interviews you want to do- browse through Pinterest or what you did previous years so you don't forget to document the new school year.

The weekend before School
  [] Have one last summer fun day!  Something fun on your bucket list you didn't do?  Or how about a Yes Day!  We have made it our tradition to have our Yes Day a few days before school starts.

 Click here to find out the Yes Day Rules

The night before school
  [] Set out first day outfits, backpacks, lunch supplies (that can be set out the night before), school supplies, and camera

  [] First day tradition supplies- do you have your kids hold a sign on the first day or hold some type of memento?  Print out your sign, get things ready.  You don't want to have to rush the next morning.

The First Day
   [] Set your Alarm!  No more sleeping in summer days.  Plus remember the first day everything always takes longer, so plan for extra time.

   [] Take some pictures!  Don't forget those first day of school pictures.

   [] Cheer/celebrate and maybe even cry a little-- it's a new school year with all it's ups and downs, enjoy the time and realize how quickly it all goes.


So ready or not, here school comes!  What is on your back to school checklist?