Stress-Free Back to School Tips

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence
Central for Carter’s. I received a complimentary
gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for my participation.”

It is that time again. Back to school. Three words every parent either loves or hates to hear. Transitioning from summer fun to school time focus takes some tact, but it doesn’t have to be stressful.

Here are a few things that make the whole back to school process a little easier on everyone involved.

1. Get back on schedule: If your kids sleep schedule gets off track during the summer, be sure to give yourself enough time to get everyone back to their normal routine. Start getting the kids to bed 15 minutes earlier each night (if you have been allowing them to stay up late) until they get to their usual bedtime. Don’t forget to wake them up a bit earlier, too. Nothing is worse than the alarm on the 1st day of school, especially if you have been sleeping in all summer long!

2. Give your kids a choice: To help make the kids more excited about the upcoming school year, I let them choose their own school supplies when possible. Backpacks and lunchboxes are kids choice in my house. They know they get one backpack per year and two lunchboxes a year. (we buy the second one halfway through the year… since those things get GROSS, I don’t care how much you wash them!) They can pick whatever they want, with the understanding that they are stuck with it. So far, this has worked really well and my kids always love their back to school gear. I also let them select their own shoes, within reason. If my son wants the fluorescent orange sneakers, I really don’t care… as long as they fit properly, have the features I know we need (washable, etc.) and fall in my price range.

My son running down the aisles to make sure he gets the shoes that make him the FASTEST!

3. Plan lunches ahead: Having a lunch plan makes mornings so much easier. Have a general idea of what you will be packing in their lunch and prep what you can the night before. On Sunday, I like to prepackage snacks, fruit, chopped veggies and more… so they are ready to just pop into a lunch bag during those busy weekday mornings!

4. Don’t miss meet & greet: I always try to take the kids to meet and greet since I think it is so important in easing back to school worries. Usually, they get to meet their teacher, see who is in their class and check out the classroom. Then when the first day of school comes, they already have an idea of what to expect. (and most times teachers will let you drop off all the school supplies ahead of time, so you don’t have to lug it all on that crazy 1st day! Score!)

5. Go shopping early: When it comes to school supplies and clothes, I like to get it out of the way early. I also like to save money, so I do wait for the tax-free shopping week. My son is in 1st grade, so his supply list is still fairly manageable. Both my kids needed new school clothes and that is something that they are both super picky about, so I decided to go to Carter’s.

Love Carter’s!

I was really happy to see that they now offer size 8, since my son loves their shorts and pants for school. (& they comply with his uniform) I have mentioned this before, but my son hates pants with a regular button, so they all have to have a elastic or drawstring waist. Carter’s makes the best drawstring pants and shorts that are the perfect length and the drawstring actually works! (it isn’t just for looks) I also picked him up some T-shirts for after school and a dri-fit outfit that is perfect for P.E.

Ready for class!

P.E. Perfection!

Mila is a little easier since she goes to daycare and doesn’t have a uniform. She only likes to wear dresses and lucky for me, Carter’s has a ton of adorable ones right now! I got her 3 new dresses that are perfect! They wash and wear so well that I don’t have to stress about her getting messy at school! I also got her a matching necklace and bracelet since she loves her accessories!

How adorable is this dress?!

She would LIVE in this dress if she could. Her new favorite!

Right now, Carter’s is having a ton of awesome sales that will make your wallet HAPPY… but as a bonus I have a 25% off coupon for you!

So there you go, my stress-free back to school tips! We don’t go back until the end of the month, so I already feel like I am in good shape since I have all my kids school shopping DONE! Woohoo! Leave me a comment with your favorite back to school tips and tricks, I am always looking for more!

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Comments

Shaunacey Bonneville says

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so true about giving them a choice!

- Lauren says
  
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  Yes, I think it is important to help build confidence! Have a wonderful weekend!! 🙂
  
Kimberly F says

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I LOVE Carters for kids clothes (Children's Place too). Thanks for the great tips…my son is starting kindergarten this year so it's my first go-around with back to school!

- Lauren says
  
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  Aww congrats on your little man starting school!! SO exciting! You know I havent been to a Children's place in forever, I need to check them out! (but I hate going to the mall.. ha)
  
maggiemaysgifts says

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Great list! I can use all the tips I can get!

- Lauren says
  
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  Yes back to school can be crazy! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!
  
Melissa Matters says

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Thanks for the coupon. I saw a few things I wanted to get at Carters. Love the floral dress.

- Lauren says
  
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  I love shopping there.. and I also like that the one closest to me is in a little plaza, so I dont have to step foot into a mall! ha!
  
MAPLELEOPARD says

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Great post, makes this teacher smile! Your kids are so adoreable! Mine are both off to college this weekend, empty nest is bittersweet :/ Have a great weekend Lauren! 🙂

- Lauren says
  
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  I know.. it is going by so quickly, I can only imagine what it feels like when they leave home!! 🙁
  
  Enjoy your weekend!! 🙂
  
Kristen Hewitt says

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So cute and I love your tips! A schedule is key and so is giving them the choice! Great Periscope last night – you're super cute on cam!

- Lauren says
  
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  Thanks for watching.. I always feel like a huge DORK after I do them!! Your tips def helped me!
  
Tarynn Playle says

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When my kids are in school I hope I'm as organized as you are getting them ready. My girl is going to preschool this year, but it's only a few days a week. Thanks for all the great tips!!

- Lauren says
  
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  You will be! I am always super organized in the beginning.. but around Christmas the wheels come off and my kids are lucky if they get to school on time! ha!
  
Lily Nguyen says

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Beautiful kids! Although I am not yet a mother, I love reading posts like this because it makes me feel more well prepared.

- Lauren says
  
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  Well thanks for stopping over and have a wonderful week!
  
Chanity Dawn says

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We are working on the bedtime routine now.. We let him get way off schedule over the summer, so getting him back on track before the 25th should be interesting!

- Lauren says
  
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  yes, we will see how it goes.. This week I am going to be really strict with getting him to sleep!
  
Nicole McGregor says

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i feel like my kids (8 & 4 ) have grown out of carters… maybe i'm wrong!?

- Lauren says
  
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  I guess it depends on their style.. but they have up to kids size 8. My son loves their shorts and pants.
  
Ai LTM says

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Look at your adorable models! So cute! Great tips, even for a homeschooling family, like ours … much of what you wrote applies to us.

- Lauren says
  
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  Thats good to know!! And thank you for the compliment.. I do love those sweet faces!
  
Jill Robbins says

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One of my kids went through 3 lunchboxes last year. I love Carters! There's an outlet store near my house!

- Lauren says
  
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  I love their stuff too.. I also bought a ton of stuff for my friend who is pregnant right now.. I can never resist a witty onesie. 🙂
  
Jill Robbins says

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One of my kids went through 3 lunchboxes last year. I love Carters! There's an outlet store near my house!

Jill Robbins says

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One of my kids went through 3 lunchboxes last year. I love Carters! There's an outlet store near my house!

Aubrey Aquino says

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Excellent tips….now if I could only get my kids to love going to (pre)school!!!

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