If I say the word “school” in my house right now, my kids will tell me to stop using it. Apparently, it’s a dirty word to use during your summer vacation! Regardless of her refusal to utter the word out loud, it is still an issue (pun intended) on my mind, and as a somewhat responsible parent, it is my duty to be prepared for her return to her place of education. He he. So what are the best ways to get organized for a new school year? These are my tried-and-true back-to-school basics for moms.

Choose quality equipment.

There are a plethora of amazing lunch boxes, backpacks, and food containers available on the market today. I know because I just bought two great new lunch boxes for my kids. Look for machine-washable bags to save money in the long run and dishwasher-safe and stackable containers to keep your sanity.

Make care packages.

(Your children can help you with this.) Stuff a bag with a few essential items for each child to put in their backpack. Your kindergartner may want to add a good luck charm, a photo of mom and dad, and a pack of tissues, while your teen may need a small hairbrush, lip balm, and extra ribbons. For the hair.

Plan your days.

Use whatever organization tool works for each member of the family. Place a family organizer with large squares for stickers and notes in a central area, and give your teens a student organizer made specifically for their growing needs.

Use checklists.

Going back to school can be hectic if you’re not organized, but a few minutes of planning can make the transition smooth and easy. Use handy checklists to tackle to-dos ahead of time, then sit down with your kids to discuss and plan the routine of their school days so you can start the year off on the right foot.

Master of snacks and lunches.

Healthy snacks and meals are essential for busy, growing children. Save time, add variety, and provide lunches your kids will eat by asking them to help you pack healthy school lunches. Use a school lunch planner and stock up on nutritious after-school snacks to make feeding bottomless kids a breeze.

Communicate with your family.

Create a family command station, a small, central area dedicated to keeping the lines of communication open. This place should feature the family calendar along with a nearby bulletin board for permission slips, lunch money, and more.

Create a flowchart or checklist for school mornings.

Enlist the help of your children to create it and ensure their acceptance. Add a fun item or two to your regular routine to remove the mundanity; Get dressed. Dad Hugh. Have breakfast. Pet the cat. brush teeth Prepare the backpack.

Now that you have the basics covered, you can focus on enjoying the rest of your summer!