There is so much to think about during the back to school prepping process – especially when kids get older. Since we’ve moved, here’s the back to school checklist we’re using to make sure our home is clean and organized!
This post is sponsored by GOJO, the makers of PURELL® products. Thanks for supporting Project Motherhood!
Our Back to School Checklist: What Big Kids Can Do to Help Around The Home
As you probably know by now, we just moved….well kind of. We’re pretty settled into my parent’s house in Pittsburgh, and tried to make the transition as smooth as possible for us all. It’s not easy nor is it going to get any easier being away from Chris during this time, but we’re coping, all of us. Being at my parents for these next 6 months means that there is a lot of change happening. Branden is getting ready to start a brand new school, in the district where I went as a child and we’re all getting used to being in a house that is five times the size of our tiny little NYC apartment. This means that we all need to pitch in a bit more and make sure that keeping this space, that really isn’t our own, is clean. With two kids and big messes, I’m so thankful that I have the help of PURELL® and our back to school checklist for Branden to follow.
Why is a back to school checklist so important?
This is a simple one for us: because the back to school checklist keeps us organized! I write down absolutely everything because my mom brain will forget it all so quickly if I don’t. Branden is pretty much the opposite, where he will forget anything like this on purpose…because kids. It holds him accountable for everything he’s got to get done in order to spend time doing the fun things he wants to do. And honestly, I think that it’s something that will help him in the long run whenever he has to take care of things on his own without mom nagging the heck out of him. Knowing what’s expected on a daily basis helps him to know what needs to be done each day, and work the task into his routine as he sees fit – it’s part of becoming a big kid, after all!
What’s on our back to school checklist?
I’ll be super honest with you all, I’m keeping this back to school checklist simple because I can’t handle anything complicated in our life right now. But at the same time, I’m being super strict with Branden by making sure that these things are doing on a daily or weekly basis.
Daily:
Keeping his space clean, tidy and sanitized!
You’ve probably heard me say this a million times, but growing up my mom always told me to do one thing every day and that way you wouldn’t get overwhelmed with cleaning. So I’m teaching my son the same. As long as he keeps his space clean, does a quick wipe down with the PURELL® Multi Surface Disinfectant Spray (we keep one a few steps from his room in the upstairs bathroom and one downstairs) for easy access and I think he’s really starting to like the smell of clean!
Keeping himself clean.
You guys…boys are gross at this age. I keep PURELL® HEALTHY SOAP™ Hand Soap in all of our bathrooms, but sometimes I know he can’t stop moving fast enough to use it. So I make sure that he’s keeping himself clean by also making sure that PURELL® Hand Sanitizer Pump Bottle is handy, too.
Rinse and clear plates after every meal and put dishes into the dishwasher.
I know this one sounds crazy that I’m writing it, but this is our reality. We have never had a dishwasher living in NYC, so now that we do, he needs to be taught all the dishwashing ways so that it can become a habit.
Make sure homework is done.
Back to school means that homework will be assigned to these big kids on a daily basis and at this age, they really do need to be in charge of getting it all done without being reminded a hundred times.
Weekly:
Bring all dirty clothes down to the laundry room.
Again, we used one hamper in NYC and then had our laundry sent out to the cleaners, so now that I’m doing laundry on a weekly basis, Branden has to make sure he’s accountable for getting his clothes down to the laundry room every Sunday night. Or you know what will happen? The kid will have no clean clothes!
Looking for more parenting tips? I’ve got you covered!
- The One Promise All Moms Should Make This Summer
- Back to School With SoCozy Hair Products For Kids
- How to Make Sure Your Kids Never Get Lice
- How to Trick Your Kids Into Reinforcing Key Skills
- Back to School Bonding
- 5 Quick Tips to Get to School Faster
- How to Practice Positive Parenting
What’s on your back to school checklist? At almost ten years old, I think that all of these household chores are totally appropriate for Branden to take on. I’ll admit that we have gone a bit easy on him up until this point and he was really surprised whenever I shared what I was in charge of at his age. I think it’s important for him to know that getting ready to go back to school and maintaining a clean home requires everyone to pitch in a little bit of time and energy so that it get’s done faster (ahem more time for fun things!). Thanks, PURELL® for helping out busy moms!
XOXO,
Allison
I think it’s great that you are teaching your son how to clean so it’s not overwhelming. And we use Purrell too. I sent huge bottles of this off to college with my son.
These are definitely helpful ideas. It makes a huge difference when everyone is doing their part around the house. I have to try that soap!
Having the kids be responsible for their space is important. It teaches them responsibility and lightens the load for you.
Back to school time is so hectic! This is such a great reminder that everyone has to pitch in to keep things running smoothly.
Great ideas! My sister has three kids, and the two older ones would be big helpers, for sure! Plus, I love Purell!
We homeschool and I have a check list also. If I didn’t I would forget so much. With the business of life I think lists are good!
I am going to have to get some of this and send it to school. Every year they have some sort of bug that wipes out a third of the class.
I do the same with my girls. They help around the house. It’s important for them to have those skills and learn how to keep their home clean. I’m loving that Purell Multi-surface Spray. Will look for it.
We Love the post it is very helpful 💛 #Growingboystomen
For sure! Kids have it so easy. We are always on the kids about doing something… for all they will be on their own one day.