Parents Back-to-School Survival Kit

Labels are a parent's best friend. Use them to keep everything organized to make life easier. (Protip: Use different colored labels for each child for easier identification...just make sure you can remember who belongs to each color!)

Keep a big calendar with everyone's schedule on it to keep the family on the same page. It will help prevent double-booking, and make it easier to remember important days (like that first day back on the bus!) Make sure the calendar is big enough that everyone can write on it, and always keep a pen or pencil nearby!

Start easing the kids into the school year routine now, and that 'first day' alarm clock won't be so bad! Have them start going to bed 10-15 minutes earlier each night now, and by the time school starts, they'll be right on schedule! Also consider picking up the pace of the morning routine to make the transition less hectic. If you don't actually have somewhere to be...pretend! Make a game out of it.

If your kids don't buy lunch at school, this is a good time to start thinking of ideas for things to send them in with. Plan ahead now so you aren't stressing out everyday, especially if you know your kids are picky eaters. Try getting them involved, and see what you can come up with! We also have some easy, fun school lunch ideas HERE.

Back-to-school means back to the store, but why pay full price if you don't have to? Keep an eye out for store sales and coupons, and remember to actually bring them with you when you shop! Even if you're only saving 10%, every little bit helps, right?

Speaking of back to the stores...It's 80 degrees, and the kids just want to go to the beach/play Pokemon/do anything BUT go shopping for school supplies, and...help us all...new clothes for the year. It's a trip that's sure to end in tears (either yours or theirs), so stock up on a nice, crisp Pinot Grigio or a perhaps a fancy rosé to remind you of your easy, carefree summers before you had kids...

Not only has the kids' pouting, whining, and crying given you a headache, but you also just drank a bottle of wine... What are you, 21? Pop some painkillers to at least ease up the hangover, and remember, the bus will be here soon enough!