“A bouquet of Newly sharpened Pencils”
Easing the Back-to-School Transition Without Losing Your Sanity
“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” This is my favorite line from one of my favorite movies - You’ve Got Mail. Something about that line captures exactly how back-to-school feels: nostalgic, hopeful, and yes… just a little overwhelming.
As an empty nester, I miss those long summer days - a blur of late dinners, sandy towels, and my daughters and their friends traipsing in and out of the house in a stream of giggles. And then suddenly, September arrives with its bus schedules, permission slips, and impossible-to-find lists of school supplies. The shift can feel like whiplash. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to.
Find Your Landing Zone
One of the best gifts you can give yourself this season is a “landing zone” near the door. Think hooks for backpacks, a bin for shoes, and a spot for lunchboxes. When there’s one predictable place for all the gear, mornings and after-school time become a whole lot less frantic.
Reset the Calendar
Summer often runs on loose rhythms, but fall doesn’t offer us that luxury. Take a moment to map out your family’s schedule. This can mean a big wall calendar, a shared Google calendar—whatever works for your family. You can even give everyone their own color to keep your calendar from turning into a giant blur of appointments and soccer games.
Lunches, Snacks, and Sanity
Packing lunch when my girls were growing up was a constant source of stress. I knew I had rocked it when my girls came home claiming that their lunches were the envy of their friends. School lunches can either be your daily headache or your daily win. My favorite tip? Create a grab-and-go section in the fridge and pantry, and a drawer or shelf filled with easy-to-fill water bottles and containers that fit perfectly in a lunchbox. With leftovers, cut-up fruit and veggies, cheese sticks, pre-packaged snacks and trail mix, and sandwich fixings all within reach, your kids can help themselves, and you save time (and arguments).
Homework Without the Drama
A homework “zone” doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. Those snack areas you prepped for lunch? They can serve double duty for after-school snack time. Want to go the extra mile? Make our family favorite - a snack plate - a little charcuterie board filled with bits and bobs from the fridge and pantry that avoids the inevitable “Mom, I’m starving” whine from the kitchen counter.
My girls had big, beautiful desks in their rooms. Did they use them? Never. But homework can be done anywhere. All you need is a clean surface, good lighting, and a simple caddy of supplies. When pencils, scissors, and paper are always ready, there are fewer excuses to wander off mid-math problem.
Simplify the Closet Shuffle
Before mornings get chaotic, spend some time sorting through the summer clothes - kids grow a lot over the summer, and there is a lot of wear and tear on their clothes. Fall mornings are faster when the only options hanging in the closet are clean things, hole-less, and actually fit. Bonus points if you keep uniforms or sports gear in labeled bins where your kids can grab them in a hurry.
Protect Your White Space
It’s so tempting to say yes to every activity, but I promise, your future self will thank you if you leave a few nights blank on that family calendar. Family dinners, cozy evenings, movie nights, or just catching your breath are worth protecting. Think of it as building in some margin for everyone’s sanity.
Savor the Season
At the end of the day, back-to-school isn’t just about logistics. It’s about fresh beginnings. Mark the season with a tradition that feels special for your family, first-day-of-school photos, pancakes for dinner, or yes, maybe even handing your kids a “bouquet of newly sharpened pencils.”
Fall is a reminder that change can be beautiful, even in the chaos. With just a few small systems in place, you’ll glide into the season with more calm and a little more joy.
If this season has you feeling overwhelmed and you’d love some hands-on help creating calm in your home, I’d love to support you. Reach out here to schedule a session, or sign up for my newsletter here for more simple organizing tips and seasonal inspiration.
Love,
Merrie
Hi! I’m Merrie. I find joy in creating cozy, tidy, and welcoming spaces by helping people reclaim their homes as havens of peace and comfort - whether they’re navigating a new season, managing a busy household, or simply craving calm. My gentle, collaborative approach ensures every step honors your pace and story. Together, we’ll design systems that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable, so you can spend less time overwhelmed and more time truly at home.
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