“My favorite hack these days is lunch bento boxes. They keep food fresher during the day and let me include condiments without the mess. You know kids love ketchup!”
Liz Wilson Marion – Marine Corps spouse, Camp Pendleton
“For us, the key to a smooth school year is establishing a rhythm. Setting up outfits/uniforms, lunches, and meal planning by day of the week creates predictability and less chaos during mornings and dinnertime. Also, to ease the transition if your children are starting a new school or co-op during PCS years, take advantage of summer sessions, camps, and activities at school so everyone has met a friend or knows a familiar face on the first day. Don’t forget the lunch notes!”
Anne Marie Ducôté, Army spouse, Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion
“Start with a clean slate before you go back-to-school shopping! Declutter old school supplies (broken crayons, notebooks, book bags, etc.) and clothing/shoes that no longer fit. Create a ‘Command Center’ for your child’s school-related supplies! This may look different in each home depending on your space, whether it’s cubbies, hooks, or a wall locker! Create a space to house book bags, jackets, shoes, homework, a large activity calendar to keep everyone on track with school and personal activities, etc! Take the time to PREP! Nothing says ‘organized’ like preparing in advance. Prepping things like lunches, laying out school clothes the night (or week!) before, and re-pack book bags with completed homework and signed papers as soon as possible!”
Caroline Overstreet, Army spouse, Fort Leavenworth
Stay Connected with FamilyMedia!
Join our community! Enter your email to stay connected with Family Media.
