The Night Before Back-to-School Checklist

The night before the first day of school can feel exciting, hectic, and maybe even a little emotional. A little preparation can help everyone start the morning feeling calm and confident instead of rushing around looking for missing shoes or forgotten homework.

Here are a few things to do the night before school starts to make the first day a little easier.

• Lay out clothes and shoes so everyone knows exactly what they're wearing.
• Pack backpacks with school supplies, folders, and any paperwork that needs to be returned.
• Prepare lunches and snacks or at least gather everything you'll need for the morning.
• Charge devices like laptops, tablets, calculators, and phones if they're needed for school.
• Set alarms and double-check what time everyone needs to leave.
• Take first-day photos tonight if your mornings tend to be rushed, then snap a few more before heading out the door.
• Talk about the day ahead. Ask your child what they're excited or nervous about and remind them that it's okay to have mixed emotions.
• Go to bed a little earlier to help everyone wake up feeling rested.

The first day of school doesn't have to be perfect. A little planning the night before can make the morning less stressful and give your family more time to enjoy this special milestone. Take a deep breath, soak in the moment, and remember that a new school year is a fresh start filled with new opportunities and memories waiting to be made.