Genius Hacks for a Stress-Free School Year

Now that the kids are back in school, you might find yourself with more free time—or far less of it, depending on how the school year goes at your home. Regardless, there are always ways to make your life easier during the school year. Here are a few tips for de-stressing your schooltime routine.

  1. Keep extracurriculars simple. You might be tempted to dive into the school year and volunteer for every opportunity—and maybe your child is the same way about sports and other extracurriculars. For both of your sakes, stick to just a handful of commitments that you really care about. The schedule will fill up all on its own without you overdoing it.
  2. Prep meals in advance. Breakfast and lunch become chores when you have a tighter schedule. To make breakfast easier, try batch-cooking a healthy meal that your kids will like, such as baked oatmeal or a scrambled egg casserole. For lunch, keep all of your go-to ingredients stowed in the same basket in the fridge so you can grab them quickly. And don't forget to make lunch in the evening, not when you're rushing around the in the morning.
  3. Set up a designated homework corner. The school year means the sudden appearance of pencils and erasers in every corner of your apartment. Keep everything tidy and organized by setting up a homework corner or "station," perhaps a set of plastic drawers stocked with pens, pencils, markers, paper, and anything else your youngsters need to do their homework.
  4. Wait to buy back-to-school clothing. Your kids might get excited about back-to-school clothing, but if you can hold off on buying the bulk of the new wardrobe a few weeks into September, you'll score major deals. Most retailers mark down sneakers, t-shirts, jeans, and other staple pieces after the school year begins.

17 back-to-school hacks that will make your life easier [today.com]
20 Back-to-School Tips to Make Your Life Easier as a Parent [Good Housekeeping]
10 Easy Back-to-School Tips That'll Make This Year a Breeze [Woman's Day]