Small steps to take a few days before to help you get off on the right Foot.
You guys!
This does not have to be a panic moment. Just keep it simple. Think about when you leave for vacation and you clean your house before you go. When you come home you can just plop down and rest for the evening from your long trip on the road. If you do not do this you should give it a try. It’s the best.
anyway, start with either the fridge, pantry or kids rooms.
Fridge
Take out all the bad leftovers and expired food. wipe down the shelves, doors, and drawers. Take note of everything you have and do not have. Set a timer. This should only take about 20 min. if you are working quickly. Don’t over think it. Your grocery budget will not be blown because you threw away questionable cream cheese a few days earlier than expected. Put all “like” things in containers. I use these.
Pantry
Go through EVERY bin. Throw out the bad and make a list of what you have. organize “like” things (snacks, bread, sauces, condiments, drink mixes) I use these bins and labels. After you have your list from the fridge and pantry go ahead and see how many make ahead meals you can prepare. If you need one or two things to complete the dish, make a list for the store. The quickest or easiest meals will be sheet pan dinners, crock pot meals or casseroles you can freeze. Think spaghetti sauce, teriyaki chicken with veggies in a freezer bag you can dump in a crock pot on the way out the door to the drop off line. I have a few of these on the blog and will be adding to them.
Kids Rooms
On “Landry Day” take out all of the clothes that do not fit. Immediately put them in a trash bag to take to good will. Put them by the door that leads to your car. This next step is very important! The VERY next time you walk to your car, I do not care if it is to retrieve something you left in there and you’re not leaving yet. Put the bags in THE CAR. you got to get the bags out of the house.
Ok, back to the kid’s room. Have your child help you if you can handle that. For me it depends on the day. You are going to label the drawers and put the clothes that are left away. Have your notepad handy and write down anything that you think you may need more of. Just remember the more you have the more laundry you have to do. I like to have 10 of everything. 10 pairs of socks, 10 pairs of underwear, 10 shirts, pants etc. By Christmas my in-laws have multiplied this by at least 4. I am very fortunate to have them.
I hang up dresses and bulky things like sweaters and jackets. By Sunday of each week have 5 outfits picked out. I have purchased this organizer to help out with this. Include socks and underwear.
Pets
While you are doing your pantry refresh also include all of your pet foods and other pet needs. In the rush of getting back to a new routine we do not want to forget about our furry friends. Keep in mind there will be less noise and attention during the day for them so they may need more attention at night when everyone is home than usual.
And That is it!
By doing these simple tasks your first week in school will run super smoothly. I ‘m not saying things will not go wrong and that this is the cure for back-to-school blues. What I am saying is perform these tasks bi-monthly or once a quarter and you will be much happier by the end of the day/week. When we are organized, we save time. Coming from someone who is habitually late, I need all the time saving I can get.
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