With summer festivities in full swing, it's a little overwhelming to think that the first day of school is just right around the corner. Fortunately, our real estate agents know there's still time to organize your life before school officially resumes. Here are a few things you can do to help you prepare your home and family for the new school year. 

• Get Rid of Outgrown or Worn Out Clothing
  This task only takes a couple of hours and makes busy mornings go as smoothly as possible. Go through your children's closets and dressers and donate or throw out anything that doesn't fit, is worn out, or just doesn't have a place in their wardrobe. Once you've gotten rid of unnecessary items, you can better see what items you need to purchase to make sure they're ready for the new school year. Your children will also have an easier time picking out their school clothing with old items out of the way. 

• Set Up Your Home for Back-to-School Success
  One common reason that school mornings are hectic and rushed is that kids have to scour the whole house to find everything they need for school. Backpacks might be in the kitchen, while their shoes and jackets are in their bedrooms or the living room. See that every child has a dedicated space to house their items so that they know exactly where everything is. You might place a bench with cube storage in your home's entryway so that each child has a dedicated spot for their school bags, shoes, and outdoor gear. Depending on how many items your child has, you can add hooks for coats, purses, or sports bags.

• Store and Clean Your Summer Gear
  While summer officially lasts through September, you'll likely stop using a lot of your summer gear once school is back in session. With homework, after-school sports, and hobbies, time for summer activities is limited. Clean and pack away sand toys, beach gear, boating supplies, and pool equipment. Make sure to get rid of anything that's broken and make a note to replace it before next summer. 

• Establish a Family Calendar System
  Now is the ideal time to brainstorm options for keeping track of everyone's schedule once school and extracurricular activities resume. Some families prefer a calendar posted on the fridge or kitchen wall. This option is easy to update and simple to implement, but it requires family members to check the calendar so they know what's going on. Another solution is a digital calendar that each family member can check and access via an app. A potential benefit of a digital calendar is that each participant can opt to receive reminders about upcoming events; you can also conveniently adjust the calendar wherever you have internet access. 

• Clean Out Your Fridge and Pantry
  Go through your fridge and pantry and throw out anything that's expired or that you no longer use. Make a list of any condiments or pantry staples that you need to replace. A couple of weeks before school starts back, devote a few hours to meal planning and stocking your kitchen with any items that you're missing. 

Spending a little time now organizing your household will guarantee you're prepared for the kids to go back to school. Interested in starting the school year in a new home? Contact us to get started.