It may feel like the dog days of summer, but the truth is, it’s almost time for school to start again. Now is a good time to start preparing for the school year routine so that it doesn’t seem so overwhelming that first week of classes. Curb chaotic mornings by organizing your kitchen in a way that makes lunch prep a breeze!
The following tips will help:
MAKE A LIST
- Don’t just wing it. By creating a menu of items that you will use for your kids’ lunches, you will not only save time in the mornings (because you won’t spend time trying to decide what to pack in their lunch bag), you will also have a handy, dandy shopping list for when you go grocery shopping. Here are some school lunch ideas to get you started.
MAKE YOUR FRIDGE LUNCH BOX FRIENDLY
- Organize the space in your refrigerator to make lunch prep quick and easy. Clear plastic bins with labels can be used to divide things up by type of food/drink or by day of the week. Experiment with these ideas and find the one that works best for you.
CREATE A STAGING CENTER
- Have a designated spot in the kitchen for lunch prep. A basket or bin for lunch bags/boxes will mean that you will never be frantically searching for them in the morning. Have your kids empty them of containers/trash when they get home from school and place them in the designated area. Keep containers handy and make sure you have enough counter space to accommodate everything you will need.
HAVE A SUPPLY STATION
- Clean out a drawer or cabinet near your staging center and keep all your lunch prep supplies in one spot. Stock up on baggies, containers, napkins, straws, plastic utensils, foil, saran wrap etc. Check out these eco-friendly school lunch supplies!
STOCK PANTRY WITH “SCHOOL LUNCH ONLY” ITEMS
- Avoid the frustration of going to grab something for your child’s lunch only to discover there is none left. Create an area in your pantry that is only for school lunches. An over-the-door hanging shoe organizer is a great space-saver and can be used to store school snacks.
Whether you prepare your children’s lunches, or they do it themselves, being well-prepared and organized will make the process easier and quicker.
Are you thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in New River Valley, VA? Then it is time to contact Desi Sowers, your New River Valley, VA real estate resource! Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!
Photo Credits: verywellfamily.com, fingerprickingood.com, blog.kitchenstuffplus.com, sports.yahoo.com, healthline.com, facebook