{"id":474,"date":"2016-08-12T10:00:29","date_gmt":"2016-08-12T10:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/?p=474"},"modified":"2016-08-22T16:45:20","modified_gmt":"2016-08-22T16:45:20","slug":"9-tips-back-school-home-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/9-tips-back-school-home-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep calm and try these 9 tips for back-to-school home preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Back-to-school season is here, but whether it&#8217;s a cause for celebration or despair depends on who you ask. The end of summer offers a great opportunity to get your home ready for the new school year, and these easy tips for back-to-school season will have you ready in no time!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-478 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-ready.jpg\" alt=\"Dry-erase board calendar as one of the best tips for back-to-school planning\" width=\"820\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-ready.jpg 820w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-ready-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-ready-768x375.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>1. Keep a calendar<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>One of the best tips for back-to-school organization is to keep your schedule organized. Once school\u2019s back in session this can be one of the biggest challenges you face. The more kids you have, the more complicated it gets! A great tip for back-to-school is to have an <a href=\"http:\/\/tatertotsandjello.com\/2016\/08\/diy-back-school-calendar-system.html\">up-to-date calendar<\/a> will help everything else fall into place. Oversized dry-erase calendars are the best because they have more room to write and you can reuse them every month!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-480 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-7.jpg\" alt=\"Organized toy bins and shelves for books in a back-to-school-ready home.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-7-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-7-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2. De-clutter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Your home is about to house an endless supply of books, backpacks, clothing, homework, hand-outs and who knows what else. Before the school year starts, go through all your closets and storage areas. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cleanandscentsible.com\/2015\/08\/how-to-declutter-kids-rooms-the-six-week-decluttering-challenge.html\">Organize<\/a> what you need, and donate what you don&#8217;t. You&#8217;ll be glad you did!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-479\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-2.jpg\" alt=\"A snack station with bins for back-to-school season.\" width=\"820\" height=\"366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-2.jpg 820w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-2-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-2-768x343.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>3. Make a snack station<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Set aside a drawer and a section of your fridge for healthy snacks\u2014things like fruits, vegetables, granola, cereal bars and\u00a0fruit juice. That way, snacks for school and healthy after-school treats are always <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sunnydayfamily.com\/2016\/05\/easy-snacks-for-kids.html\">easy to grab<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-481\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-3.jpg\" alt=\"Backpacks on hooks with chalkboards above in back-to-school-ready home.\" width=\"820\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-3.jpg 820w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-3-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-3-768x347.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>4. Create a system for backpacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>What parent hasn&#8217;t been frustrated by kids who immediately dump everything on the floor when they get home from school? Devise a better system for backpacks, like adding <a href=\"https:\/\/imbatmom.com\/2013\/03\/06\/the-backpack-wall\/\">cubbies or extra hooks<\/a> near your front door. That way, coats, shoes and backpacks are always neatly organized in the same area.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-482\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-4.jpg\" alt=\"A hanging closet organizer for back-to-school clothes each day of the week.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-4-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-4-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5. Plan kids&#8217; clothing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>You and your kids can plan a week&#8217;s worth of clothing ahead of time. Getting it all laid out at the beginning of the week\u2014tip: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodhousekeeping.com\/home\/organizing\/tips\/g2358\/back-to-school-prep\/?slide=3\">hanging closet organizers<\/a> are great for this\u2014will take the drama out of picking an outfit each morning.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-483\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-8.jpg\" alt=\"A back-to-school lunchbox station with supplies.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-8-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-8-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>6. Make a lunchbox station<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Similar to the snack station mentioned above, the idea is to make <a href=\"http:\/\/howdoesshe.com\/simplify-the-lunch-box-routine-with-these-5-great-ideas\/\">lunchbox-packing<\/a> a lot simpler. Set aside some cupboard space for things you routinely need for school lunches,\u00a0and keep essential sandwich-making supplies together in the fridge. Also, it helps to prepare lunches the night before, and why not make it a fun project by having your kids help out?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-484\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-5.jpg\" alt=\"A homework station with school supplies on a tray for back-to-school season.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-5-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-5-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>7. Set up homework central<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Create a fun\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodhousekeeping.com\/home\/organizing\/tips\/g2358\/back-to-school-prep\/?slide=14\">homework &#8220;command center&#8221;<\/a> where your kids can get their homework done. Keep it well-stocked with all the supplies they need to work, but without any of the distractions. Another great option is to put together portable homework caddies, so each youngster can take all the supplies they need to work on homework someplace they feel comfortable.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-485\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-9.jpg\" alt=\"Towels on hooks below kids\u2019 pictures in bathroom.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-9-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-9-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>8. Organize the bathroom routine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s a universal fact that when a houseful of kids get ready for school, somebody ends up fighting over the bathroom. Streamline the process by setting up individual cubbies or <a href=\"https:\/\/simplybeingabby.com\/2014\/04\/01\/kids-bathroom-re-do\/\">hangers<\/a> in the bathroom or a nearby closet. This way everybody can easily find their own personal towels and toiletries.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-486\" src=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-6.jpg\" alt=\"A back-to-school library station at home with baskets and shelves for school books.\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-6-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/back-to-school-6-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>9. Keep track of library books<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Place two <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodhousekeeping.com\/home\/organizing\/tips\/g2358\/back-to-school-prep\/?slide=18\">baskets<\/a> in an easy-to-find location. One is for library books that are still being read, and the other is for books that are ready to be returned. No more lost books and late fees this year!<\/p>\n<p>There are countless ways to get your home ready for the new school year, and now is the time to get moving! It&#8217;s also a great time to check out the new <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/backtoschool\">Back to School Sale<\/a> from MileStone. 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These 9 tips for back-to-school will help you organize and create space so you\u2019re back-to-school-ready!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":483,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,57],"tags":[42,36,59,58,66,51,35],"class_list":["post-474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-decorating-ideas","category-home-maintenance","tag-family","tag-home-decor","tag-home-maintenance","tag-homeowner-tips","tag-homeowners","tag-new-home-tips","tag-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=474"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":555,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474\/revisions\/555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymilestone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}