Hey Cuties,
Yesterday was the first day of the 2019 – 2020 school year. The kids happily started 2nd Grade and 10th Grade. While the calendar said it was the first day of school, it didn’t feel like. I felt like summer owed me two to three more weeks of fun. We are a uniform county so there aren’t a lot of back to school thrills in our home.

My Girl!
Five Back To School Tips
Our school schedule and routine is very systematic. We are a busy family and it only works because I keep us organized. There are a variety of ways to help the kids help themselves which in turn makes life easier for everyone. These back to school tips are a life saver.

The ManChild
Tip 1:
Calendar Management: Everything goes into my Google Calendar. Each member of my household has their own color code. At the top of the school year, I put in all of the pertinent events like early dismissal, Parent + Teacher Conference, days out of school, Back to School Nights, special events, etc. That allows for day to day planning and any travel we want to do. Both of the kids do sports during the school year so those practices and game days go on the calendar too. This is the most essential of the back to school tips.

LittleCuteLips was given this Epic Everyday book bag in a giveaway with DistrictMotherHued
Tip 2:
Back to School Prep: We check our at home school supply stash and then buy whatever is still needed. We purge raggedy uniforms and or uniforms that no longer fit, and buy new ones. We do the same thing with their sneakers. The day before the first day of school I label all of LittleCuteLips supplies. The ManChild is older so I don’t label his stuff, but I tell him to do so in Sharpie. The stickers are cute, but they can be removed.

Mommy + Daddy selfie before we left the classroom.
Tip 3:
Weekly Routine: The ManChild does his own laundry, but laundry is done every weekend. By Sunday night all uniforms are ironed up for the week. We don’t have time for last-minute ironing in the morning. I do LittleCuteLips hair weekly or bi-weekly on Sunday. That is a time consuming 4-hour process to get her hair done and braided up for the week. I do NOT do hair during the week, she sleeps in a scarf to keep it fresh.

Teenager or not, I will always take their first-day pics. He happily let me too.
Tip 4:
Nightly Routine: They put away lunch boxes (they both pack lunch) from the day prior and pack their book bags for the next school day. That also includes sports bags for practice and or game day. They shower at night before getting into bed for maximum freshness. I lay out LittleCuteLips uniform and she decides if she wants to wear a skirt/short/pant based on the water. When I say lay out clothes I’m talking down to the socks and undershirt. Shoes are in the mudroom so they put them on before walking out of the door.

Mommy + Daddy selfie at the bus stop.
Tip 5:
Morning Routine: This year is the first year that they wake up at different times, so its even easier because they don’t have to share a bathroom. They wake up wash their face and brush their teeth prior to getting dressed. They get dressed and the teen returns to the bathroom to brush his hair.
Then they head downstairs to get breakfast and pack their lunch. LittleCuteLips is 7 but she makes her own lunch, I have a basic formula for them to go by [1 sandwich + 2 drinks (one is for snack) + 1 chip + one fruit or veggie + fruit snacks]. If she wants lunch in her thermos than I warm it up for her.
After that, they do their final book bag packing and put on their shoes. If time permits they can watch TV until it is time to go.

Sample RoadID
Bonus Tips: Here are a few extras that I also do
For my bus rider, I make sure he has a small umbrella that stays in his backpack.
Both of my kids wear RoadIds to school, they also wear them when we go out in big crowds/travel, etc. Babe and I also have Road Ids.
Ours looks like the one above with the following info:
FIRST NAME + LAST NAME /YEAR OF BIRTH
CITY + STATE
MOM: (000) 000-0000
DAD: (000) 000-0000
ALLERGY
The teen has a cell phone, we make sure it is charged up in the morning and he takes a charged-up portable charger with him. Sometimes he needs to contact us during the day but certainly after practice or to notify us of schedule changes. We can also track his phone to make sure he made the bus and then to school safely if needed.
What are some of your back to school tips that make life easier? Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.
These are great tips. My 8-year-old helps my husband with the laundry. She also picks out her clothes for the next day. I just tell her what the weather will be and she plans her outfit around that.
That is awesome Kim, she is learning early.
I need that ID one that is neat to have saving this post. My kids have cell phones and I have apps on them to monitor but this will give me extra stuff. Great tips
I swear by the Road IDs Kita. They are a worthy investment and they hold up too.
Yessss!!! I’m have a routine. Your routine sounds like my routine as a child. Especially ironing the clothes. Lol. I lay my son’s clothes out for the week and put them on his shelf. Once he gets older he will do it himself.
Yes, Monique. I love that.
Oh my goodness the ManChild and Little CuteLips are so cute. I love her bookbag. These are great tips.
Thanks! They are growing up so fast, I pray that they always indulge me in the back to school photos.
Great Tips! I love Little Cute Lips backpack! I had already purchased Emma a backpack but when I saw this one I was like uh can I justify another backpack! We’re a google calendar family too! I used to have us colored-coded by their school colors but now those are the same so I have them colored-coded by favorite colors.
You totally can, they have boy products. Get both of the kids one for Christmas.
Having your back to school regimen together is so important for starting the school right. By the way, baby girl is looking cute with that backpack!
It is, this way we all know what is going on and what to expect. Thanks, I love it. They have all kind of products for boys and girls. Get some for the grands.
Wow you have a second grader and 10th grader. You got one almost out the door but really good back to school tips for parents!
Yes, I can’t believe my “baby” is two years away from college.
Okay, LOVE this backpack, I totally want it. And I’ve never heard of road tips, but they make so much sense. Back to school is such a serious reset and creating routines are important. As a kid, this was my favorite time of year.
Get one, they have backpacks and more. I legit want one for myself too. I’m a very routine person and I’ve raised the kids this way too.
I need to get better about my night time prep. This is motivating me to get my act together.
Yay! Each one teach one, you can start today girl. You’ve got this.
these are great tips! A good routine is helpful no matter the age but I can see it is even more important with growing children. you and your family have it down pack.
Thanks! A routine makes life less stressful for everyone.