How a Pro Organizer Gets Her Toddler Ready For the School Year
Our take
The quiet hum of anticipation surrounding the start of a child’s preschool journey resonates deeply, and this piece on preparing a toddler for this significant milestone touches on a core theme we explore: intentionality in family life. It's about more than just new shoes and backpacks; it’s about fostering a sense of readiness and calm amidst the inevitable transition. We’ve previously discussed strategies for instilling responsibility through age-appropriate chores 40 Age-Appropriate Chores Your Kids Won't Hate Doing, recognizing that early involvement in household tasks builds self-sufficiency and a sense of belonging. This article’s focus on the preschool transition dovetails beautifully with that idea – it’s about equipping a child with the foundational skills and emotional resilience to navigate a new environment. Furthermore, the emphasis on a mindful approach aligns with our ongoing conversation about conscious consumption and finding lasting value, a sentiment echoed in our recent exploration of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and the importance of discerning purchases I Hope You're Not Sleeping on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—These Are the Random (Yet Amazing) Items to Buy Before It Ends. Both speak to a desire for quality and purpose over fleeting trends, a value that extends to the choices we make for our children’s development.
The article’s implicit understanding of the emotional weight of this moment—for both parent and child—is particularly noteworthy. It's not simply about logistics; it's about navigating feelings of excitement, anxiety, and perhaps even a touch of sadness at seeing a little one embark on a new chapter. The image accompanying the piece beautifully captures this delicate balance – the closeness and connection between mother and daughter as they prepare for this next step. This resonates with a broader cultural shift towards prioritizing emotional well-being and mindful parenting. We've seen a growing interest in cultivating intentional habits, not just in fashion or home decor, but also in how we raise our children. The increasing awareness of the importance of self-connection and presence, which we often highlight, is directly applicable to navigating these life transitions with grace and ease. Creating a sense of calm and stability at home, even amidst the whirlwind of preparations, is crucial for setting a positive tone for the preschool experience.
The rise of platforms and communities dedicated to sharing practical parenting advice also reflects a desire for support and connection. Parents are increasingly seeking strategies for simplifying their lives and creating more meaningful experiences for their families. The concept of “rewearing” and building a curated, visible wardrobe Rewearing became my default once I could see my whole wardrobe worn, so I built a private app is a potent metaphor for this broader shift – it’s about intentionality, valuing what we already have, and finding joy in simplicity. This principle can be applied to parenting as well: focusing on quality time, creating routines, and cultivating a sense of gratitude can be far more impactful than striving for picture-perfect perfection. The emphasis on preparedness, as showcased in the article, isn’t about eliminating challenges, but about equipping both parent and child with the tools to navigate them with confidence and grace.
Ultimately, the seemingly simple act of preparing a child for preschool is a microcosm of the larger journey of parenthood—a continuous process of adaptation, learning, and growth. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to observe how parents continue to integrate mindfulness and intentionality into their parenting practices, seeking ways to cultivate resilience, connection, and a sense of groundedness within their families. Will the trend towards simplifying and prioritizing experiences over possessions continue to shape the way we approach raising the next generation, and how will this impact the products and services we choose to support their development?
In a few weeks, my 3-year-old is starting preschool and I am eagerly counting down the days. I was telling a friend she'd be at school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they said, "Oh wow, that's a lot of hours, to which I replied, "I know, isn't it great?"
I've been thinking a lot about the significance of this milestone and the (welcomed) changes that'll come with it. If you're a mom who's also getting your little one ready for the school year, here's what I'm doing to mentally and physically prepare, from organizing our home to establishing new routines.
Preparing Our Home
Organizing My Daughter's Room
I know there are certain things I can't plan for; but from a home-organizing standpoint, I can start preparing her bedroom. Since the start of the summer, I've started setting out clothes for the week ahead. I'll take a look at her robust schedule and the weather, then set out her outfits (and pajamas) for that day. Her closet stores almost all of her belongings, so I'm going to maximize the space by getting two large over-the-door racks for her book bag and school supplies. Everything will be labeled so anyone can get her ready.
Organizing the Kitchen
I'm absolutely going to be a bento box mom, so I've prepped a shelf and cabinet in the kitchen to store her lunchbox supplies. This will support my morning routine of getting her food ready and evening routine of cleaning and putting things away.
I meal prep every week, and already make snacks and lunches in Tupperware containers for me to pull out from the fridge throughout the day. So I'll be adding her school snacks to the rotation by either preparing them at the top of the week, in the evening, or early morning. I'm giving myself the space to experiment and see when will be the best time to make her food for school.
Developing Her Independence
I'm intentionally placing all of my daughter's items in low, easy-to-reach areas so she can become a self-sufficient, independent toddler. I'll be hanging the hook for her school bag low enough for her to reach. Right now, she knows to put her shoes on when we're leaving the house, so getting her school bag will be added to that routine.
I'll also be teaching her to pack her school bag — I know she'll be so excited to do this. In her closet, I plan on adding magnets with labels for the day of the week and the weather to make it fun for her to get ready for school.
Getting Emotionally Ready
Making Sacrifices as a Mom
Last year, I accepted my role as a full-time mom. Doing so has been emotional but triumphant, mostly because any title that suggests my child is my sole job has always been loaded with negative connotations. So, being able to say I'm a full-time mom is a big deal. It only happened after months of internal dialogue recognizing that watching my daughter grow up is exactly what I asked for.
Once I accepted the role within myself, restructuring my life became easier. My first order of business was potty training my daughter, then doubling down on her evening and morning routines. Next, I surveyed our neighborhood for weekly toddler activities to get out of the house and socialize (I started at the library). Finally, I made friends with the moms of the toddlers my daughter got along with and scheduled weekly playdates.
Creating this structure was a two-year journey. I had to relieve myself of expectations that didn't align with her schedule and making this sacrifice forced me to speak nicer to myself. The stories I came up with about my identity, value, skills, and worth will never cease to amaze me. But I unlearned those thoughts with compassion, patience, and time.
Managing Separation Anxiety
Start the inner work to get comfortable with your kids being around others. I say inner work because receiving support can be an emotional journey if you're not grounded in yourself. Your intuition is your child's safeguard.
When I think about transitioning from being a full-time mom to having my baby in school, I think of her teachers as a new part of my support system. I've toured her school and been in the classrooms, so I know she's going to be OK.
Establishing a New Routine
I'm always up early because I'm a mom, but I wouldn't call myself an early bird. However, I'm mentally preparing for the chaos of transitioning to early mornings to get my daughter ready for school. In the summertime, we have the luxury of leaving the house when we feel like it. Although her current routine includes getting her dressed for the day, I'm expecting there to be hiccups once she starts school as we have to get her up earlier.
I'm preparing myself for this by getting more focused on my daytime tasks, so I'm not working after I put her down for bed, so I go to sleep and get up earlier. I can't have a 5 a.m. wake-up time if my bedtime is past 10 p.m. Luckily, we already have a morning routine — it just needs to get pushed back a few hours. And since I won't be the one dropping her off at school, I'll definitely want to help pack her school bag, do her hair, and get her ready.
As a professional organizer, I love being able to incorporate my organizing framework into these new experiences. Just preparing myself, my home, and my daughter for preschool has already affirmed my expertise and made me feel more confident as a mom. Balancing a preschooler and my new job will not be easy. I know there will be challenges, hiccups, and moments I may regret sending her to school. But all we can do is prepare ourselves for what we can control and hope for the best.
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Rebekah Love (she/her) is a home organizer, writer, creative, and the founder of Organize For Love, a home-organizing company. She is passionate about expanding how African American families experience the freedom that organization brings to their home. Through her home-organizing program, products, and educational content, she helps her audience of 40,000 create a healthier and happier home life. Rebekah is a PS Council member.Read on the original site
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