There is lots of stuff to think about the week before the kids go back to school, so it is a really good idea to embark on a little planning however busy you are, as it will certainly help life to run a little more smoothly.

So here are some back to school ideas.

Make a List. Sometimes when you think about lots of little stuff that needs to be done it can feel overwhelming. But just the simple act of writing everything down in a list, immediately helps you  prioritise what needs to be done and helps it feel more manageable.

Check on their School Uniform. Does anything need to be replaced, or added to?

Get it Ready.  Ensure everything the children will need for their first day back at school is kept in one place clean and ready. This will avoid last minutes panics.

What Else? What other items will they need for school?  Pencils, pens, protractors, trainers, football boots, PE kit. Make a separate list and schedule in when you will be purchasing these additional items.

Labelling Kids School Uniform. My personal nemesis when my children were younger. My advice, use a marker pen, or if you really hate sewing in labels, pay or barter this chore with friends who love sewing.

Is There Enough? Checking the kids have enough changes of socks, tops and trousers. This avoids doing unscheduled emergency mid week washes. Also, always buy exactly the same style of socks to avoid having to search for pairs.

Children's School Shoes.  My advice is either, to get you and the children to the shoe shop ASAP, or if you feel their school shoes are still wearable, wait a few weeks. There is always a queue to buy shoes just before the first day of school. If they don't desperately need them for the first day of term - wait.

Packed Lunches. There are lots of reasons kids have packed lunches – but I would ask yourself and them, if these reasons still apply. School dinners are changing and improving all the time. It maybe that giving the kids money for school lunch will not only save you a job but also introduce them to new flavours and foods, and give them a nutritious hot meal during the day, which could be one less thing for you to worry about.

If you are not sure about your kids having school dinners then why not speak to their teacher and get more information or see if you can try the school dinners yourself.

Kid's Bedtimes. Getting the kids to bed a little earlier a few days before they return to school is always a good idea. Start getting them into a routine. (You might want to read the following article Back to School and Routines)

Prepare the Night Before. Get everything ready for school the night before.

School Mornings Allow extra time for mishaps and the unexpected. Use the buzzer on the cooker or an alarm clock as a ten minute warning before you are due to leave the house.

Have a Rehearsal If your kids are starting a new school, have a practice run for getting out on time in the morning.

Breakfast Time.  Make breakfast times fun and nutritious. Remember wholemeal cereals are best as they keep blood sugar stable and that aids concentration and avoids mood swings

First Week Back.  Don't schedule too many activities after school. Even big kids find the first week back at school exhausting. Just keep things like meal times and bedtimes simple and consistent.

Take a Photo. Take a photo of their first day back at school as they leave and then when they arrive home.  It will be a great memory to look back on in later years.

Any other back to school ideas you can think of do leave a comment or drop me an email