5 ideas for Back to School preparation

It's that time of year... Back to School!  If you're looking for idea to help you with this time of year, read on!  



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It's hard to believe it's time to go back to school!  School starts early in Tennessee.  My kids have already been back in school for 3 days.  This is a crazy time of year, but a little preparation can make everything go so much smoother.

5 ideas for Back to School preparation!



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Clothes

Have kids inventory what they have in their closets and drawers that will still work for the upcoming school year.

It's still practically summer in TN when my kids go back to school so they can wear knee length shorts, capris and sandals.  They don't really need pants or jackets yet.  We hold off on getting those until the weather cools down.  After my kids have inventoried what they have, we make a list of what they need.  Then we decide what stores to shop for the needed items.

Favorite Stores for clothing:  
  • Ross
  • Platos Closet
  • Goodwill
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Forever 21
  • Tilly's
  • H&M
  • Old Navy
  • Gap



school supplies, expo markers, notebook, pencils, folders


School Supplies

Make a list of all required supplies and even buy a few extras to help the teacher.

Most schools put their supply lists online.  My high school kids don't know for sure what they need
until they actually go to their classes the first day.  But I know they always need binders, dividers, 
paper, pencils and pencil pouches, so I stock up on those during the Back to School sales.

I also try to buy things when they are on sale and clearance at the end of school shopping season, so I always have a stock of school supplies stashed.




pre sliced apples, tortilla wraps, chips


Food

Get supplies for kids to take their lunch to school.

All summer long my kids have fended for themselves eating leftovers and frozen meals.  But that won't work for school lunch. So before school starts I need to stock up on lunch supplies.  My kids take sandwiches or tortilla wraps most days. Then they have chips, fruit, a snack and a drink.






They also take water bottles with them.  We like *Colemon, *Gatorade and *Contigo





Backpacks and Lunch Bags

If you have good quality backpacks and lunch bags, they can be reused from year to year.

These items can be washed in the washing machine.  At the end of every school season (and at least once during the school year) I put my kids backpacks into the washer.  I wash lunch bags a few times a school year too.  It's surprising how quickly they get gross.  After being lugged all day, every day, they need a good cleaning.  I hang them to dry.






Back to School Dates 

Take kids 1 on 1 to lunch and school shopping.




This is probably my favorite tip of all!   After being with siblings all summer long, it's so nice to get one on one time with each child.  





Each child has the opportunity to go to the stores they want to, and to try on clothes without their siblings being annoying!  We also use that time to talk about the upcoming school year and anything that they are looking forward to or are nervous about.


Back to School time can be a pretty stressful time.  But with these 5 Ideas for Back to School Preparation, you can make the process smoother!