A new school year can be stressful on kids but just as hard on Mom too. (Yes, Dad you’re included in this. I’m just using “Mom” as a representative here.)
Three months of summer vacation can throw any solid school routine out of the window and when a new school year begins you feel just as lost as your child!
So here’s some helpful advice, for Moms, for the new school year…
1. Shop smart and don’t spend a bomb on back-to-school essentials .
I love schools that encourage kids to wear uniforms. My son has a year left in Preschool before which he gets to join big sis with uniforms so we still have a whole year of “wear-what-you-please” to go through. I’m all about shopping smart when it comes to kids’ clothes especially since they outgrow their clothes so fast. From experience I’ve bookmarked a handful of stores to shop at when it comes to my kids. Kohls is definitely on top of that list.
This year I made sure I picked up my daughter’s uniform khakhis, jeans for the kids, tees for Little Man, shorts for his soccer games and a shirt for Picture Day, all within a $100 budget. With the $10 back on every $50 Kohls cash paired with my 15% discount, I was also able to pick up some inner essentials for both kids.
With shoes, backpacks, school supplies (yes, this year, Kohls has partnered with Office Max to provide school-goers with a real one-stop-shop-back-to-school experience )
and clothing for all ages, you really don’t need to shop at several stores to prep for a new school year. And yes, with the Magic At Play line, your little ones can also find Disney clothing at affordable prices and super cute designs.
2. Make sure you label all your child’s belongings
Yes, everything from books, folders, pencil pouches, uniforms (especially if they need to change into sportswear/swimwear at or outside school to backpacks and lunch bags, should ideally be labeled. The last thing you need is a missing school supply after running all around town to get the best deal on the said supply!
We ordered School/Camp packs (Spring for my daughter and Sports for my son) as these had the best value for money, considering each pack includes 100 iron on labels, 30 medium waterproof labels, 2 bag tags and 14 shoe labels. (Each pack presently costs $42.95 inclusive of free shipping and free personalization.)
3. Lice is real. Be proactive. Be prepared!
I’m not scaring you but this is the truth. If not the creepy critters, even the appearance of little lice eggs-nits- is a pain in the neck to get rid off. There are several solutions out there in the market but if you’re looking for a natural, chemical free, clinically proven, effective solution, consider Fairy Tales’ Rosemary Repel line. Each product is made from organic herbs and plant extracts. How long have they been in the market, you ask?
Since 1999!
Growing up I came home on more than one occasion with lice and it was not fun. I don’t plan to take any chances with the kids so yes, we’ve been using the shampoo and the conditioner consistently since a month prior to school opened out. And yes, plan to continue using the same all through the school year.
4. Protect your belongings while on the go
With drop-offs, pick-ups, Parent-Teacher meetings, play-dates and more, you have your phone with you at all times and in some cases, while waiting for your child to finish extra-curricular activities, may tote your laptop along to keep busy. To ensure your belongings are kept safe, it helps to invest in a few Master Lock products.
1500eXD dialSpeed Digital Combination Padlock is a high-tech digital lock that features a directional keypad. It offers fast entry, high security technology, and easy-to-recall resettable personalized codes. Each lock is pre-programmed with a permanent Backup Master code that users can retrieve online .
2120D Set-Your-Own Combination SafeSpace Laptop Computer Lock offers more than 10,000 numeric or alpha combination possibilities and features a strong self-coiling cable with durable metal construction.
5900D SafeSpace protects smart phones, cash, credit cards, keys, or any other personal belongings while socializing or on the go. With a foam-lined interior for extra protection, the SafeSpace features an integrated cable that can be securely anchored to a fixed object.
Yes your electronic belongings are important but the information stored on them is definitely so much more important. Identity theft is not kind.
5. When your child loses her first, second or eighth tooth, guess what? There’s a way you can save them all in one place!
And no, a Ziploc bag is not what I had in mind. A Baby Tooth Album is.
This is such a compact, cute, easy way to store your child’s baby teeth. I love that you can record when a tooth arrives and when she loses a tooth. The pocketed organizer has a plastic seal over the same to save the teeth from falling out. At $14.95 an album, I think it’s a great price to save those precious pearly whites.
6. Make sure you’re always dressed with a smile.
Be the Mom everyone can approach. A smile can warm any person’s day.
Even if you’re having a not-so-good day, make a conscious effort to change that yucky day around by choosing to look for the good around you.
Pssst! If you need help changing brushes to add a sparkle to that smile , check out the new Reach Complete Care toothbrushes.
7. Always stash snacks in your bag to satisfy hunger pangs while on the go.
If you’re like me, I always (always, always) feel hungry during a grocery shopping run in the morning, after dropping the kids to school. It’s torture to walk out of the store without picking up a sugary, not-good-for-me, snack. I have learnt to stash dry snacks in my bag. Some favorites are SunRidge Farm‘s organic banana chips (they taste like they have a hint of vanilla on them) and pistachios. I’m thinking of making some trail mix based snack bars this weekend too.
You will also find 2-3 nutrition bars in my bag because these are just easier to whip out, chomp on and finish when I’m rushing from point A to point B. I’m particularly partial to Balance Bar‘s Sweet and Spicy bars. They’re oh-so-good and yes they’re non GMO certified, gluten free and soy free.
Balance bars follow the 40-30-30 nutrition principle: 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein & 30% dietary fat, thereby promoting a slow glycemic response. These fruit and nut bars are an exception though and are a whole load of dried fruit and nuts. Yum!
I could go on but would love to hear from you.
Stefany says
This is all good advice. I wish I had known about the tooth keeper years ago. I may have to get one for my 5 year old though!
Anne says
I have absolutely no baby teeth for any of my 3 kids! Was I supposed to keep those? Cute idea, even if I missed the boat.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
I’m so scared of lice, and I agree on the labelling. What an exciting time of year! lol
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
This is such a great list of tools for the mamas! I really love it! That tooth book is fabulous!!!! I am actually going to get one for my 2 girls, even though my daughters are two and almost born- seriously!
Shauna says
Great, great tips… We always use that line of shampoos… they smell so great and I love knowing I am protecting from lice…
Ann BAcciaglia says
I love the baby tooth album. What a fantastic way to keep the teeth that your kids lose.
Dede says
My daughter and I had a lighthearted argument today about when she lost her first tooth. I wish I had recorded it, like in this book — such a great idea.
Jennifer says
Great tips! Lice just creeps me out!
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
I love the baby tooth album! It’s so adorable.
Stacey - Seattle Mom Blog says
Great tips. I love Master Lock. It’s the only lock I use.
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy says
Master Lock is awesome. It’s the only brand I use. Those things are like Fort Knox!
Dawn says
The importance of a good toothbrush CANNOT be overstated. No nasty teeth, please!
Courtney says
I try to keep healthy snacks like trail mix and nuts around for my daughter. Good fats are so important to a growing child.
Nancy Lustri (StyleDecor) says
Great advice! I really like the organic trail mix. It has my name all over it and I think my kids would love it in their lunches too! 🙂
Jenn Park says
I am so terrified of my kids getting lice once they start school. It gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it. I will have to get some of that and keep it on hand.
Lori says
These are such helpful ideas. All 3 of my girls are in school this year, so I will be taking this advice for sure.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Oh a BIG yes to the Fairytale products! We homeschool and I still use them for when we go to church and other outside activities!
Christine says
Teeth gross me out. My husband deals with that. We are a month into school, I would say make sure you buy way more pencils than you need. They lose them.
Krista says
These are all really great! The tooth keeper is amazing!
Rebekah says
The lice repellant is something I need to get for my daughter. I was sent home with lice as a child, and it was so embarrassing!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) says
All wonderful ideas. I have a supply station for my kids to pull supplies from when needed, paper, pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, and more. They like knowing where it is and that they can pick and choose what they need to bring to school each week, or day, just depends.
Marina says
That’s a great idea!
Stefani Tolson says
I have never seen a tooth album. That is very neat and I think I might have to get one for my youngest that has only lost a couple teeth.
shelly peterson says
Great advice, any tips are helpful. I have never heard of Fairy Tales’ Rosemary Repel products but good to know about it. I have one child left in school and he did have head lice once. I just recently won a baby tooth album so I am excited to use that for my grandson
Trish says
I like your tips! And yes..the lice. I got it a couple of times as a kid and it was not a fun experience!