3 Back-to-School Prep Tips to Work on Now!

I’m sorry, really sorry! I know what you're thinking: “How dare you bring up back-to-school when we’re still soaking up the precious weeks of summer?” Trust me, I get it. You’re still chasing the ice cream truck down the street, and the mere sight of a lunchbox gives you hives. But hear me out.

As a professional organizer—and a certified KonMari Consultant—I’m not here to ruin your vacation vibes. I’m here to extend them by helping you avoid the last-minute panic of late August.

A little prep now can make your future self very grateful. So, before the back-to-school madness officially kicks off, here are three things you can start doing today (without sacrificing your beach days) to set yourself up for a calmer, more intentional September.

Sort Through Your Containers Now

Let’s kick things off with the container drawer or cupboard—also known as the Museum of Mismatched Plastics.

Before the new school year comes in hot with lunch-packing marathons and snack demands, take an hour to go through all your food containers. Match them with their lids, toss the ones with mystery stains, lids that don’t close fully or ones that have simply seen better days, and donate or recycle any you just don’t use.

This small act of tidying isn’t just practical—it’s intentional. In the spirit of the KonMari Method, you’re making space for what supports your current lifestyle (and your kid’s growing lunchbox needs) and letting go of what no longer serves you.

And here’s the bonus: when kids see us choosing simplicity over clutter, they learn to value organization and mindfulness, too. Modeling this kind of habit in small, everyday ways is one of the most effective ways to teach it.

It’s also the perfect time to assess your water bottles, thermoses, and lunch bags. Have they seen better days? Let’s find out now rather than on the first day of school.

Pro tip: Store containers with their matching lids on, even if it takes up a bit more space. It saves time, energy, and the frustration of lid hunting at 7:15 a.m.

Get the Kids Planning Clothes and Lunches

Back-to-school isn't just about getting new pencils. It’s also about transitions—and the best way to ease your kids (and yourself) back into routines is to start thinking like it's September… even if it still feels like July.

Start by involving your kids in some light planning. Go through their clothes together to see what still fits and what doesn’t. This is also a wonderful opportunity to talk to your kids about intentional living—what clothing feels good, fits well, and supports who they’re becoming. Make a list of what they’ll need for the fall—this avoids the “I have NOTHING to wear!” meltdown on day one.

Then, talk about school lunches. What do they actually want to eat this year? Can they start practicing packing their own lunchboxes once or twice a week? Even if you're still heading to the beach most days, just building the habit now can help ease the shock later.

Bonus: This gets kids used to making decisions and participating in their own daily routines—an empowering step toward independence. When you include them in the process, you’re showing them that planning ahead is a positive, normal part of everyday life.

Set Up Homework Areas

Pinterest and big-box stores would have you believe you need a fully stocked home office for every child by mid-July. Deep breaths. You don’t.

Start simple: identify a calm, clutter-free area for homework. It might be a corner of the dining room table, a small desk, or even a lap desk and a nearby bin of supplies. What matters is that it’s intentional and relatively distraction-free.

But here’s the key: don’t overbuy school supplies just yet. Teachers often send specific supply lists home in the first week—and they rarely match the generic list at the store. Save your receipts if you’ve already stocked up, or better yet, wait until you know what’s actually needed.

Instead, make a “supply inventory” with your kids. You might be surprised how many glue sticks and highlighters are lurking in your drawers from last year. Gather what you have and organize it so it’s ready when the real list arrives.

And as always, the more we invite kids into these processes—and let them witness our own thoughtful, less-is-more approach—the more they absorb these habits themselves.

Wrapping It Up

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back-to-chaos. With just a few small steps now—sorting containers, starting conversations about clothes and lunches, and thoughtfully preparing homework zones—you can dodge a lot of the early September stress.

And remember, you don’t have to do it all in one day. Tackle one thing each week, and still make plenty of time for popsicles, splash pads, and ignoring your inbox.

Take a few small steps now, and you’ll thank yourself come September. And as always, I’m only a phone call away if you need any help!