
Back to School Already... Yes... Really.
Yes, It’s Already Time to Think About Back to School
(and No, We’re Not Sorry)
I know, I know. We’re barely one month into summer. You’re still finding sand in the car, your kids are still sunburned from last weekend, and half your house smells like pool towels. But here we are — already looking at July and realizing: back-to-school season is basically tomorrow.
The good news? If you start tackling a few things now, you can avoid that late-August scramble where you’re stress-ordering lunchboxes at midnight and wondering how your child’s shoes shrunk two sizes in two months.
Here are some bite-sized (and manageable!) tips to make the back-to-school transition smoother — and dare we say, even satisfying.
1. Start the School Supply Inventory Now (Before Everything’s Sold Out)
Let’s be real — nobody wants to dig through dried-out markers and crumpled folders mid-August. Now’s the time to quietly assess what survived last school year. Grab a bin, round up last year’s supplies, and do a ruthless audit. Keep what still works, toss what doesn’t, and make a list of what you actually need before Target becomes a war zone.
Bonus points: order online, avoid crowds, and enjoy the smug satisfaction of being ahead of the game.
2. Do a Mini Wardrobe Swap
Nothing fancy — just pull out the school-year staples and have your kids do a try-on session (ideally when they’re in a decent mood… good luck). Figure out what still fits, what needs replacing, and what “absolutely cannot be worn anymore because it’s itchy, Mom.”
Make a list, donate what you can, and keep a running tab of what to snag during those back-to-school sales.
3. Tame the Mudroom (or Entryway, or That One Corner Where Everything Piles Up)
Whatever space you use as your landing zone, now’s the time to reclaim it. Create easy-to-manage “stations” — one for shoes, one for sunscreen/bug spray/hats, and one for backpacks and lunchboxes.
Hooks are your best friend. So are labeled baskets. Because nothing kills a morning like a single missing shoe and a kid who suddenly “can’t go to school without their green bucket hat.”
4. Prep the Pantry Like a Snack-Slinging Pro
Back-to-school mornings are chaotic enough — do your future self a favor and get the snack situation under control now. Organize your pantry with easy grab-and-go bins: one for lunchbox snacks, one for after-school munchies, one for breakfast bars. Restock what’s low, toss anything expired (you know it’s in there), and maybe even sneak in some you-snacks for survival purposes.
Backpack packing will feel like a breeze. Or at least less like a tornado.
5. Delegate the Chaos
Overwhelmed already? That’s where we come in. TULA’s assistants are back-to-school prep pros. We can tackle the supply shopping, refresh your mudroom, organize that pantry, even help sort the mystery pile of summer camp art and permission slips currently living on your counter. Whether you need a few hours of help or a total refresh, we’ve got you covered.
Because the truth is, back-to-school doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning — and the right kind of help — it can actually feel like a fresh start. And hey, maybe even leave time for one last weekend getaway before the alarm clocks come back.