Photos by MarElly from Happy Thoughts Studios

Establishing after school routines with the kids

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines with the kids, can be fun and can help you organize your home.

Last school year, I tried something new with the kiddos, in hopes, that they would be involved in helping me keep the house organized. This year I am, not only incorporating old routines, but starting a couple of other new traditions. I want to start the year of right and build up good habits. Check out the rest of this post to read all about our after school routines. Also be sure to check out our morning routines – to help you get ideas for morning routines.

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Tip #1: Backpack Corner

If your kids are anything like mine, they rush home after school -as they walk into the house they throw backpacks, lunchboxes, shoes, jackets and school papers everywhere – and it will all stay there until I come by and pick it up. That is not longer the case.

I bought cute, decorative hooks for the entryway and a cute mirror to match. This corner has now become the official backpack area of our home. One of the main rules of organization is that every item must have a ‘home’ (a place where its belongs, the place where this item will be placed every time you set it down). The first week of school I had to consistently remind the kids to place the backpacks on the hooks, but soon enough it became a routine and the kids knew exactly what to do.

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Its the first thing the kids do when they walk in the door, they go and hang up their back packs. I have to give them a reminder here and there, but for the most part they remember what they are suppose to do. They also have a lunch box routine – which consists of them taking their lunch boxes into the kitchen, so that they can be ready for SELF PACKING SNACK STATION.

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Tip #2: SCHOOL PAPER ORGANIZATION

How do you organize all those papers that the school sends your way on a weekly basis? Last year, the papers came home in a folder and lingered around the kitchen counter for the rest of the year. Then I would scramble thru the piles, in order to find the one paper that I was looking for.

This year, we are tackling things a little differently. Each kid will have their own clipboard – so that we can store all those papers on. The third clip board will have a calendar of all school events, for me to see. I hope this helps, inspires or gives you ideas on how you can create a back to school routine with your kids.

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

The clipboards are right next to the kids back packs; so once they come home & they hang their bags, they can take out any homework, calendar, paper announcement and I can place them where they belong. Sometimes I don’t have time to take a look at everything they bring home at that very moment, but its nice to know where I can find the papers once I need them.

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

Tip #2: SNACK TIME WITH THE KIDS

Establishing after school routines

Establishing after school routines

I am trying this new routine this year, after school snack time & talk. I love hearing all about how the kids day went -and I am talking about more than just a “it was fine“. Give me details, I gotta know the latest that is happening in their little world!

Establishing after school routines

I am making something irresistible for them. -or buying donuts, making home made pop corn, cookies, cupcakes. The idea is to make a treat for them to enjoy as they sit across the kitchen island from me. I want to steal a couple of minutes, and cherish them. What are some of your after school snack ideas?