5 Tips for a Stress Free Back to School Season

The start of a new school year can be an exciting time, but it can be a bit stressful too.  Let’s face it driving around town to find all of the necessary school supplies, finding the perfect back to school clothes for picky kids, all while trying to make it fun and memorable can be a challenge.  But the beginning of each school year is important because it sets the tone for your child’s progress and enjoyment throughout the year.  Let these 5 tips for a stress free back to school season and our sponsor help you start the year off right!

1.  Establish a Routine

After a summer of late nights and sleeping in it can be tough to adjust to school schedules.  It’s important to establish a morning routine to help you ease back into a new school year.  Don’t forget to create an after school routine too, it will help keep you sane when things are busy.  By establishing a schedule now you’ll minimize meltdowns once school starts.  Consider using a daily routine chart, this helps set expectations and keeps you from sounding like a broken record on a daily basis.

2. Get Organized

As soon as that school bell rings papers are going to stack up on your kitchen counter, money will be due and let’s not even talk about juggling homework and sports schedules.  From setting out clothes the night before to creating a homework station getting organized will make tackling back to school easy.  Nothing’s worse than remembering at midnight that tomorrow is “Cowboy Day” and scrambling to find something for your kids to wear.  Last year we started hanging up outfits for the entire week and it really helped keep mornings with my little fashionista run smoothly, no more arguing about why she couldn’t wear that fancy dress on P.E. day.  But, my back to school lifesaver is our family command center.  Keeping track of class assignments, appointments, sports schedules and volunteer opportunities is easy with my dry erase board and magnetic white boards…I seriously couldn’t live without it. 

3. Plan Your Meals

Now that all those papers and outfits you bought from are organized it’s time to start focusing on what’s for dinner!  Meal planning is so important with busy schedules during the school year. Take some time daily, weekly or monthly to plan out your meals, including breakfast and lunches.  Having a plan means your family will enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals with the added benefit of saving time, money and stress!  I like this free meal planner from Rowdy in Room 300, it has a spot for you to plan everything including breakfast, lunches, dinner and snacks.  

4. Shop Smart

Make a list of your child’s clothing and school supply needs, prioritize items and discuss it with your child before you shop.  It helps to know what is in fashion before you go too.  The has great styles for girls and it all retails for under $50. Shopping with kids can get expensive when they “must have” everything they try on, have a budget and stick to it.  With Sears unique social community, , you can research and browse products, create wish lists, poll friends and family and get advice from experts.  Now, if you are anything like me you want back to school shopping to be easy and convenient.  Free store pick-up means I can shop online and swing by my local Sears to pick-up my purchases; better yet, when I arrive, I can use the Shop Your Way app to let the store know I have arrived and they will bring my purchase directly to my car.  Now that is smart shopping!  

Here is another smart shopping tip and a HUGE chance to save big on all of your Back to School Shopping!  The Family and Friends Sale is happening online at Saturday August 9, 6PM – Tuesday, August 12, 9AM or in stores Sunday August, 10 from 6-9 PM.  

5. Celebrate and Document It 

You’ve established a routine, you’re organized, meals are planned and everyone has new clothes to head back to school, now it’s time to celebrate!  Make heading back to school something to celebrate rather than something your kids dread.  Start by creating some simple family traditions like creating a Back to School Time Capsule or jotting down their favorites with a Back to School Interview.  Surprise your anxious, nervous or excited kids the morning of their first day with a special Back to School Breakfast or sweet notes in their lunchbox.  Don’t forget to document this special time with photos, before you know it your kindergartner will be heading off to college and you’ll be glad you snapped that cheesy “first day of school” photo to remind you of just how extraordinary your kiddos are.

What’s your biggest stress when it comes to Back to School season?  Does your family have any special traditions or tips that help you ease into a new year? 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf Sears.