August 2025 - Back to School & Routines
- Judy Granlee Gates
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Back to School always is a time for me to reset my house a bit, and my routines too. I’ve not had a “first day of school” in several years, but it still stands as a reminder to take a look around, lighten the load of stuff, and tidy up my routine. Even if you don’t have kids, I think these tips will help.
Decluttering and Organizing:
It’s time for a kid zone deep dive. It’s a great time to do a full sort on the kids’ room and stuff. Donate old toys and clothing, school supplies and books they are not using, along with any tech. Make sure they have a dedicated homework space, ready to use. And get the kids involved, this is not a “moms only” job!
Create a landing pad for all members of the family. Each member needs space for bags/packs, coats etc. This can be hooks in the entry, drawers, you choose. When you come home, your stuff goes there so you can access it quickly in the morning, preventing the dreaded morning scramble!
Family Command Center: Create a spot, perhaps in the entry or kitchen, for school paperwork, things that need signing, permission slips, etc. Every day, each kid is responsible for putting the important papers in this spot! Wall pockets are best and keep clutter off the counters.
Look at routines. Summertime we get a little loose on some things, bedtime, chores, wakeup schedules, lunch prep, you name it. Start now to make sure that you are getting kids back on track well before school starts.
Home Edits:
This is the perfect time of year to focus energy on the entry way. Piled up shoes, coats, backpacks, sports equipment. A quick declutter first. Then it might be a good time to upgrade to more storage, perhaps a cabinet for bags or shoes, bench seating with storage, umbrella stand, charging station. These are great additions even if you don’t have kids!
Short Term Rentals:
Summer is generally a super busy time for rentals, and as that ends you will want to schedule time for a deep clean and property maintenance, and if possible, some subtle fall swaps. Cozy throws in fall colors that work in your décor, fall welcome snacks like local ciders (nonalcoholic is best) and assorted snack nuts and seeds. Check out upcoming fall events and send out emails to past guests and post the events on your social media pages to remind folks that fall can still be a great time to visit!
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
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