Getting kids back to school is more stressful than I imagined. As a child it went seamlessly, but as an adult there’s so much to do to ensure your child has a seamless transition to school. We had a new to kindergarten teacher last year, and then with the regulations because of the COVID, things really looked different. There was very little personal interaction and it felt like I was trying to figure it out on my own.
But this year is Grade 1, and this mama is going to be more prepared than ever before.
How I’m Making Back To School EVEN Easier Me
Ordered School Supplies ONLINE
School supplies lists are hard track down, but once you do, it’s even harder to track down all the supplies you need. This year, I’m skipping the bouncing between stores looking for all the right gear, and just ordering everything online.
I ordered all of his school supplies through Staples. It was $30 cheaper than ordering through Amazon Canada, and I could order individual DUOTANGS by the right colour – they were sold out though… so I’ll have to go down to the store. Which means the only thing I need to get at Staples is one red duo tang and one blue duo tang.
Ordered labels from Mabels Labels
Last year, I was that parent labeling everything in the truck five minutes before school started. This year, I plan to do the exact same thing. Unfortunately, I can’t find my package of labels, so I’ve reordered them. I really like the small rectangles from Mabels Labels for crayons and markers, and everything else.
We use larger labels with our last name for all of his lunch stuff and water bottles so it can be interchanged between the two kids.
You NEED ALL the shoes, gloves & hats
Indoor shoes for classroom use and another pair for after school care, plus the shoes that go to school – so make sure you know your kids size and start shoe shopping today. We keep rotating through shoes trying to find the right fit and comfort. But there’s nothing worse than the first week of school and trying to hunt down shoes for your kid.
I’m also thinking about all the gloves… for us the first day of School in September can be quite chilly and by the time October rolls around there is a need for waterproof mittens. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Twinklebelle ones, but will be taking a look through our stash to ensure we have the right fit for everyone.
We’ve started the shoe hunt, and I’m thinking about winter gear and wondering what enormous size we’ll need to pick up from Modern Rascals along with updated t-shirts.
I’m also low-key panicking
Back to school is more expensive than I ever imagined and with growing children it also feels like a gut punch trying to make everything work and last. We learnt last year that cheap shoes get replaced three times as fast, and that little bodies grow fast.
We learn that we lost a ton of mittens, and trying to get my kid to wear a hat was the hardest thing ever. I’m worried about a new teacher, and new rules, and the inevitable after school breakdown that will occur.
afterschool child-care costs increased this year, so there’ll be additional costs to consider and I’m going to need to find myself a few more clients in the meanwhile.
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