The End-of-School Backpack Situation… You Know the One

Hey there mamas!

The final day of the school year… finally!

The kids walk in full of excitement, lighter already, as if summer has officially started the moment they crossed the school gate. Shoes are kicked off somewhere, and the school bags are dramatically dropped on the floor like a symbol of freedom.

And then… gone.

Depending on the weather, they either jump on their bikes and disappear outside to meet their friends, or they collapse onto the couch with a tablet in their hands, entering a kind of silent recovery mode that no one should disturb.

You, on the other hand, still living in the real world, gently suggest:

“Let’s empty your school bags and take care of everything.”

They answer from afar, barely present:

“Okaaay Ma…”

And that’s it.

Because we all know the truth.

Those bags will stay exactly there—full, messy, mysterious—untouched… until September.

And I don’t know about you, but there is something deeply depressing about opening a forgotten school bag two and a half months later, discovering old papers, broken pencils, chewed gums and things that should have been dealt with in June.

So this year, Mama, we do things differently.

We don’t let the abandoned bag become part of the home decor. We don’t postpone. We don’t overcomplicate. We handle it now—simply, calmly, and with a bit of Mamavalues elegance!

Step 1: Empty Everything (Yes, Everything)

Start by completely emptying the school bags. And when I say completely, I mean it.

Every single item comes out—papers, forgotten snacks (brace yourself), random wrappers, mysterious objects you don’t remember ever buying.

Don’t forget the pencil cases. Put them straight into the wash, along with the bags, and let them dry naturally.

It’s almost magical to see them come back to life after a whole year of being dragged, dropped, and overloaded. Their colors come back, and suddenly they actually smell like flowers and sunshine.

At this stage, separate what you want to keep for next year and store it properly in a closet or designated space. If some items are still in good condition but not needed, this is a perfect moment to donate them. And whatever has clearly reached the end of its life… let it go without hesitation.

Step 2: The Real Declutter (Brace Yourself)

Now comes the step that requires a bit more patience.

Sit down and go through all the school material one by one. Pens, pencils, markers, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, highlighters—all of it.

You will probably discover an impressive collection of items that technically exist but don’t actually work anymore.

Keep only what truly deserves to stay. The rest can go, no guilt attached.

Before storing what you keep, take a few minutes to clean everything with baby wipes or a cloth with a bit of alcohol. It’s almost satisfying to watch them regain their original look after a year of “carbon-colored survival mode.”

Then organize them nicely in drawers or containers.

Trust me on this one—when August arrives and you’re looking at the new school supply list, trying to figure out what you already have, your future self will be incredibly grateful.

Step 3: Recycle, Keep, and Let Go with Intention

The final step is to go through papers, notebooks, binders, and books.

Start by emptying all folders and binders. The ones that are still in good condition can be cleaned quickly and stored neatly for reuse.

Then comes the emotional part—sorting through what your kids created during the year.

Let’s be honest: most of it will go to recycling, and that is completely fine.

What you keep should be intentional:

• a few drawings that truly matter

• special crafts

• meaningful tests or milestones

• useful materials that could help next year or for younger siblings

Personally, I like to use two boxes: one for memories and crafts, and another for useful academic material. It keeps things organized without keeping everything.

Because saving everything is not preserving memories—it’s creating future overwhelm.

And Just Like That… It’s Done

Yes, it may take a few hours of your Saturday.

But what you gain is so much bigger:

• a calm, clutter-free space

• no August panic

• no forgotten chaos waiting for you later

• a feeling of closure

You’re not just cleaning school bags.

You are closing a full year — the effort, the learning, the growth — with intention.

And you’re opening space for a summer that feels light, easy, and free!

Love, Katerina