Post by Danielle, Creative Director at The Land of Nod

As adults, most of us no longer get 3 months off for summer vacation. But, as parents, we do get to enjoy a bit of the relaxation that comes with it. No permission slips to sign, no homework to check, no lunches to pack. So, it’s no surprise that the sudden jolt back into routine with the start of the school year can be just as unnerving for us parents as it is for the kids.

Perhaps some of you have this back to school organization thing down to a science, but I have to admit, when it comes to dealing with all the paperwork that comes home from school, I’m a hot mess.

So, I sat with our Nod storage gurus and room designers, to come up with a few tips on how the organizationally challenged among (ie. Me) us can get a grip on the back to school organization madness. Here are a few tips on creating a mini “nerve center” for your home with just a bit of wall space.

Back to School Organization Tip #1: Sort by Day

If your challenge is remembering what you need to do when, then sorting items by day may be your best bet. Our Take Five Wall Bin has 5 compartments; assign a day to each (Mon – Fri), and toss applicable items in each as soon as they arrive in your home. Then each morning, you can just grab the appropriate stack and be on your way. Also, include a chalkboard or calendar to add reminders. As well add in a few wall hooks to hang larger items that won’t fit in the bins. This also works well if you have multiple caretakers on various days, your babysitter/mother-in-law/spouse will always know just where to look for notes and details on the kids’ schedule.

Back to School Organization Tip #2: Sort by Kid or Activity

If you have multiple children, or even one child involved in multiple activities, our Down to the Wire Wall Shelf would be a great solution. Assign a bin to each kid/activity, and make them responsible for putting their gear away when they walk in the door. Maybe this will help avoid them just dumping their backpack on the floor immediately inside the front door. Also, when you’re rushing out the door to soccer practice, you’ll know just where their cleats and shin guards are stashed.

Back to School Organization Tip #3: Keep Surfaces to a Minimum

If you tend to make stacks and piles, remove the temptation. Create a wall system with our Straight & Narrow Collection that allows for just small reminders to be tacked up, and sort paper as soon as it comes in the house. Be sure the recycling bin is nearby so unnecessary clutter can go straight to the recycling pile instead of a stack on your dining room table.

Back to School Organization Tip #4: Don’t be too hard on yourself

This tip didn’t come from one of our storage experts, but from me, a fellow mom who’s just trying to keep it together on a daily basis. It’s hard to juggle all that comes with modern-day parenting. So if a perfectly organized mudroom isn’t on your list of priorities, then don’t give it a second thought. Did you laugh with your kids today? Then, you’re good. No, actually, you’re awesome!

Danielle is the Creative Director at Nod and an over-protective mother of two. She’s also completely obsessed with Instagram, Twitter and her Kindle, but not necessarily in that order. Danielle loves to craft, sew and crochet, but all her supplies have a layer of dust on them about 7-years-thick, wonder if it’s just a coincidence that her oldest kiddo is 7 years old? – Click here to see more of Danielle’s Honest to Nod posts.