August is the time for back to school prep and it can be a struggle when everyone is still in summer mode. You may get the urge to wait until the last minute but knocking things off your to-do list, little by little, will help immensely.

Here are things to keep in mind and start preparing for this month:

• Set up a family command centre! What is a command centre? It’s a designated place in your home where your family can communicate in a simple and organized way. You can use letter and magazine organizers for paperwork, a bulletin board for messages and reminders, and a spot for charging cords, pens, and more. If you’re looking for DIY ideas, Pinterest is a great place to get the creative juices flowing.

• The kitchen and pantry can get unruly during peak times of the day. Keep the lunch and snack items easily accessible with plastic fridge bins. For the pantry and cupboards, use organizers like corner shelves, under-shelf baskets, and lid sorters. Turntables are also a great tool!

• Lunch meal planning - Are your kids making their own lunch or maybe they are ready to start learning? Teaching them early how to make smart choices with their food habits. This sets them up to be healthy adults. Our reusable, stainless steel lunch containers as they are great for teaching portion size, diversity of foods, and how to be eco-friendly.

• Have a plan for getting to and from school - Do they take a bus? If so, do they know where their bus stop is? If they are walking or biking, do they know where to go and how long it takes to get to school? If they are younger children you could always get them to draw a map and hang it in the entryway.

• The entryway is the hub for getting everyone out of the door in the morning and also the “dumping ground” when the kids get back home at the end of the day. Keeping their items organized and separated helps give everyone a place for their own things and prevents the mix-up of belongings and the subsequent arguments and frustration in finding the items. Try giving them their own baskets or hooks with labels so they know exactly where their items belong.

• The bathroom can be a busy place in the morning, especially if more than one person needs to use it to get ready. Save time and frustration by giving each family member their own space or basket to keep their personal items in. Using hooks and shower caddies will also greatly reduce the bathroom clutter.

If you’re looking for more ways to stay organized at home, school, or the garage come chat with one of our team members and they can assist you in finding a customized solution. Check us out on our website or social media for more inspiration, ideas, and helpful tips.