The Post-Summer Reset: A House-wide Sigh of Relief

After a long, wonderful summer, I always feel like my house needs to catch its breath. Perhaps I'm just projecting my own summer fatigue onto my home.  But, when the kids go off to school, the house seems to need some TLC. 

While summer is filled with the wonderful chaos of kids - my kids, the neighborhood kids, and friends’ kids - running through the house from morning to night, once school begins, it's time for a reset.  I like to "lighten the load" for my home and for myself by putting away all the things that have accumulated during the summer and tackling projects that need doing.

The Goal:

Get the house back in order before the whirlwind of November and December hits.

Clear Out the Clutter

It’s time to get rid of the unused items to make room for all the new things that inevitably come with the start of a new school year.

• Put Away Summer Clutter: Put away or discard the summer treasures, old school projects, etc that are still hanging around from the summer and the previous school year. Take photos of the most meaningful pieces for a digital portfolio before donating the rest.

• Change Out the Seasonal Clothing: Make the morning hustle a little easier with a clothes that fit. Remove out-of-season and wrong-sized clothing from their closets and drawers.

• Donate Old Gear: Get rid of old shoes, jackets, and backpacks that have been worn out or outgrown.

Create a System to Organize the School Year

Now that you've cleared out the old, it's time to create the systems that will help you stay sane all year long. The key is to create a drop zone for all the new school year "stuff."

• The Backpack Landing Zone: Pick a spot near the door where backpacks and shoes get stored when kids get home. This keeps the clutter from spreading through the house. A quick tip: If backpacks can be hidden away in a closet or cabinet, that will help make the space appear more calm!

• The Homework Station: Dedicate a specific spot for all school supplies. Whether it's a desk space or a drawer in the kitchen, a dedicated homework station means you'll spend less time searching for a pencil and more time on homework.

• A Spot for Finished Work: Create a bin or binder to hold finished work and art projects that are still hanging around. This keeps them from ending up in a messy pile on the counter.

• Daily Paper Delivery from the School: When you consider how many papers come home from school, you might think the school also owned a paper company! Stay ahead of it all! 

  • Have a dedicated space for all paperwork. As it comes home, immediately decide what to do with it: complete it, save it, or discard it. 

  • Consider creating a special place to keep special artwork or schoolwork, like a large portfolio or a keepsake box, so they don't end up in a pile on the counter.

Proactive Strategies for a Smooth School Year

This is about anticipating the daily rush and setting yourself up for success.

• Dedicated Activity Bags: Prepare a bag for each after-school activity (like dance or sports) with all the essentials. This means you can just grab it and go, avoiding the last-minute scramble.

• The Family Calendar: A large, visible family calendar is the "brain" of the operation. Use it to note practice times, doctor appointments, and big tests so everyone knows what to expect. 

• Ready-to-Go Snacks: Dedicate a spot in your pantry for easy-to-grab, school-safe snacks that kids can take themselves. This saves so much time and helps you avoid getting hangry kids on a rushed day.

• A Meal Prep Strategy: Try to have a few already-prepped meals or ingredients in the fridge. On days when you are rushed, you can quickly feed your kids and still have a good home-cooked meal.

  
  

Too busy to tackle it all at once?  Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Pick your biggest pain point and start there. This seasonal reset is about more than a tidy house; it’s about making space for what’s to come and creating a home that supports your family.

Ready to reclaim your time, but lack the capacity?

At Tasked, we are your dedicated partner. We specialize in designing and implementing these custom systems—from homework stations to whole-house resets—so you can skip the stress and immediately enjoy the calm of a home that truly works for you.