The Back-to-School Survival Kit
Y’all, back-to-school (BTS) season is here, and if you’re anything like me, it’s a whirlwind of new schedules, name-labeling everything in sight, and trying to remember which kid needs what by when. Over the years (and three kids’ worth of first days), I’ve picked up a few tricks that genuinely make this season smoother for everyone in the house…not just the kids, but us moms too. Today I’m sharing those tips, plus the products that have become our back-to-school MVPs. As a reminder – you can find everything here on my Back to School Supplies List in my Amazon Storefront! Let’s get into it!
3 Tips to Make BTS Easier on Everyone
1. Prep the night before, not the morning of – We are a routine family on school mornings! The kiddos know to head straight to the shower, then come in, eat breakfast, and grab all the things. The night before, we prep lunches, make sure we have backpacks and water bottles ready to go, have taken care of homework/projects, and clean up a bit. The goal? Mornings run themselves so nobody’s rushing or stressed before 8 am
2. Give everything a home – Backpacks, water bottles, shoes, and homework/school papers each have a designated spot in our house, and it drastically it cuts down on the daily “where is my_____” scramble and keeps the whole house calmer. The kiddos know where to look first if they can’t find something!
3. Build in one small routine that’s just for connection – Every morning on the way to school, we listen to fun or even calm, some days, music that gets the kiddos ready for a great day. We have formed a habit of looking at and talking about the moon if/when it’s visible in the mornings. Our morning car-ride-convos have become some of my favorite moments during the school year!
The Products That Make It All Work
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler + Custom Name Labels
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler – Water bottles for each kiddo are non-negotiables for our fam! They use them throughout the day at school and keep kids’ water cold all day. They’re easy for little hands to use and are one less thing to worry about with hydration at school.
🔗 Shop them here
Custom Name Labels for Water Bottles – No more mix-ups at pickup or lost water bottles; a simple, customizable label solves it!
🔗 Shop them here
Hanging Weekly Clothes Organizer
Hanging Weekly Clothes Organizer – Talk about a task knocked out easily! Tulip and I pick out her outfits for the week on Sunday, and we’re set for the whole week! The outfits are sorted by day so mornings are grab-and-go; no more digging through drawers and frantically trying to find the glitter skirt she wants to wear!
🔗 Shop here
3-Tier Rolling Cart
3-Tier Rolling Cart – Y’all, we love our rolling cart, and it almost has a permanent spot by the dining table during the school year when the kiddos have homework! It’s mobile storage for school supplies, art stuff, or snacks; it rolls wherever you need it.
🔗 Shop here
Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunch Box
Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Y’all. We love these little lunch boxes! The kiddos get to have a variety of food/snacks in each compartment, which keeps lunch organized and mess-free. They come in tons of colors and designs for kids to choose from…AND – they’re genuinely leak-proof.
🔗 Shop them here
Plastic School Supplies Storage Bin
Plastic School Supplies Storage Bin – This fantastic friend corrals ALL the loose supplies so restocking backpacks is quick and easy. And! There’s a bonus space underneath to hold practice booklets, extra paper, etc!
🔗 Shop here
Clear Hard Zipper Case
Clear Hard Zipper Case – THE mom hack of the year… yall we use these fantastic little friends for a change-of-clothes case for the kids! I put an extra pair of undies, shorts, and shirt in it and label them for each kiddo. That way, whatever the reason, they always have a change of clothes. It’s also fantastic for pencils, small supplies, or even documents; durable and easy to see what’s inside.
🔗 Shop here
AirTags + AirTag Holders
AirTags + AirTag Holders – Peace of mind for backpacks, kids’ belongings, and even kids, so you always know where things are? Yes mam! We use them ALL the time, but the kids’ backpacks always have one in them, and on field trip days, or any other off-campus school day. It’s just nice to know literally where they are 🙂
🔗 Shop AirTags | Shop Holders
At the end of the day, back-to-school season doesn’t have to feel like chaos…a few small systems really can make a big difference for the whole family. I hope these tips (and our tried-and-true faves) help your mornings run just a little smoother this year. If you try any of these out, I’d love to hear how they work for your crew! Remember, I share tons of Amazon deals every morning on my Facebook page, so be sure to come hang out! Outside of the Newsletter and website, you can find me on Instagram and Facebook, or visit my Amazon Storefront to shop anytime! And as always, thank you for letting me share a peek into our routine…here’s to a great school year for all of us! 💛
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