Get Ready for Back To School with these Tips (40+ Mom Hacks to Prepare for Back to School)

Summer temps may still be in full swing, but back to school is on people’s minds. When do back-to-school sales start for you? Or has back to school shopping already begun? Are you gearing up and thinking about how to get ready for back to school?

Before becoming a mom, back to school for me typically meant my commute time gets a ton worse with more people being on the roads. It is important to remember that the back-to-school commute comes with added traffic hazards, and we need to remember these back-to-school driving safety tips when you’re getting ready for back to school.

Previously the preschooler’s schedule didn’t really change for the back-to-school season since he was in child care all year. Then he had the audacity to get older and start kindergarten, and now he is finishing elementary school. So we’re in the cycle of getting ready for school.  And many of my readers are doing the back-to-school shuffle too. Keep reading for back to school tips for moms.

Back to School Planning for Parents

Here is your back-to-school planning checklist to get everything ready before school starts. Can you believe how much we have to think about to get those tiny humans ready for school? Better get a good working mom and school planner ready. Now we have to think about how to get ready to go back to school after a break (like a long summer break). 

Here is your back to school planning checklist (getting ready for back to school tips):

1. Get your child’s yearly doctor’s appointments for checkups, vaccinations, and health assessments filled out for school.
2. Schedule your kid’s eye exam prior to the start of the school year so you can take care of any eye care needs in time for their return to the classroom.
3. Also, be sure to have good kids multivitamins and stock up on elderberry gummies to help boost our little ones’ immune systems.
4. Go back to school shopping for school supplies and clothing. Walmart has a back to school supplies shopping hack for working moms where you can search by your school and add the entire supply list to cart! Or you may prefer to shop on Amazon Prime for all the supplies.
5. Review school materials to know all important dates (like school closures and events).
6. Figure out after-school programs since schools get out while parents are still working. Will you be doing after school care at a daycare center or at the school campus? Is the child able to ride the bus home?
7. Come up with a child care plan if/when your child is sick.
8. Plan your meal plans and dinners to be back to school ready.
9. Plan for school lunch – decide whether you will be packing lunches or using the school cafeteria. Include these Lunch Box Notes for kids with the lunchbox.
10. Figure out a homework station and after-school routine.
11. Start the school time bedtime routine early.
12. Plan and practice the school day morning routine early (and practice how to get ready for school fast).
13. Create a family calendar and review upcoming schedules weekly.
14. Discuss screen time rules for school time.
15. Help your child create goals for the upcoming school year.

What else would you put on your back to school checklist for parents?

First day of school

First Day of School Nerves Be Gone!

 With Story Bug’s Personalized First Day of School Storybook

While elementary school girls and boys are excited about meeting new friends, seeing old ones and planning activities, the first day of school for the little ones can be a daunting and scary experience.

For 4, 5 and 6 year olds embarking on their preschool, kindergarten or first grade education journey, parents can help soothe those jitters and make the first day of school a fun experience that is not so scary after all with a customized Story Bug First Day of School storybook where your child is the star!

Dive into a personalized adventure where your child embarks on their first day of school, filled with excitement and a few nervous butterflies. Watch as they navigate new experiences, make friends, and discover that school is a fun and welcoming place. With a customizable avatar that looks just like them, this story makes a great gift and a keepsake to remember their special day. 

Story Bug lets you add names, skin tones, hair color, and even select an outfit. Each custom book feels like it was made just for your child – because it was! 

Perfect for every occasion from birthdays and bedtime stories, to Christmas, Easter, or magical adventures- reading just got way more fun! Designed for real life featuring durable covers and thick pages built to survive sticky fingers and repeat reads. For more info, visit storybug.com.

After-school programs planning

After school programs play a crucial role in the development of children outside of regular school hours. While after school care may be viewed as just a way to keep kids occupied until their parents pick them up, these programs offer so much more. They provide an opportunity for students to engage in activities that may not be part of the standard curriculum and explore new interests.

One key benefit of after school programs is the chance for students to gain valuable life skills. From coding clubs to music lessons, these programs expose children to different fields and hobbies. By allowing kids to try different activities, after school programs help students develop skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, time management, and creativity.

Other important benefit of after school care is it can serve as a place for social interaction and community building. Students from various grades have the opportunity to come together in a relaxed environment where friendships can blossom based on shared interests rather than academic pressures, promoting and empathy among peers.

Ivy Camps USA offers online after-school classes and tutoring for students ages 6-14. They promote learning through fun, hands-on activities and focus on helping students to discover an organic love for learning. They offer a variety of topics that students can explore. These topics include, but are not limited to, STEM, Business Leadership, and Arts & Media.

Here are some reasons you might consider after schooling.

Back to School Planner for Kids

This back-to-school planner bundle will help you make the return to school transition easier and more fun.

If you have elementary-aged kids, middle-school kids, or high school kids, this planner is for you and for them!

You will love this Back to School Planner for your Kids!

How to prepare for back to school?

I also thought I’d collect some great posts from fellow bloggers on the topic. Enjoy!

Back to School Printables

Grab your first day of school printables, including a chalkboard printable sign, an “all about me” interview, and after school routine for elementary school kids. From me :)

Getting your routines down is very important. Here are some amazing back-to-school printables from Twitchetts to help start off on the right foot.

This is a lovely DIY first day of school flag from Ali-ish.

Check out these morning routine cards from I Can Teach My Child.

Check out the resources for parents and printables for back to school from Twinkl.

Not exactly a printable, but a back-to-school sign hack from The Very Best Baby Stuff.

Get The Back to School Planner I made.
 

Homework Routines

Having a routine for homework helps tremendously. A fully stocked homework station with supplies your child will need prevents wasting time getting up and looking for things. And here are tips to help your child study independently.

If your child is struggling with homework, maybe an online tutor/prep course can help! Try ArgoPrep for K-8 math and ELA. They also offer a great variety of free worksheets to help supplement learning.

Here are tips to help your child with math if you’re are not good at it yourself.

I also really liked this tip from Mama in the Now to help with germs being brought home from school.

Here’s a great post on organizing your homework station in the kitchen from Mom of 6.

I also love this dollar store homework caddy from Simple Made Pretty.

I like this idea from Pulling Curls on homework office hours. Puts the power and responsibility to the child.

Here is a great post from Living for the Sunshine on getting a child to practice their pencil grip for school readiness.

Here’s a great list of STEM resources and activities for teens.

Back to school tips for homework time from Parenting in Real Life.

Tips to end homework battles with kids from Raising Kids with Purpose.

Here’s a Homework 101 guide for parents and kids.

Back to School Evening Routines and Morning Routines

I have said before that the best way to get your mornings won is to plan the night before. Planning in advance makes the morning less crazy and reduces the risk of being late. Plan outfits, lunches, and set coffee the night before.

Here’s a list of great back to school breakfast ideas, and toddler and preschooler breakfasts, also from me.

Here are some more great tips about routines and time management from The Work at Home Woman.

Make your school mornings less stressful with these morning routine tips from Mommy Knows What’s Best.

Here are some great after school routines from The Organized Family Blog.

Getting Organized for Back to School

Some tips from A Modern Mom’s Life sharing back to school tips from a working mom.

Here are some tips about labeling everything, including school uniforms, from Merith’s Miscellany.

A school planner can really help you get organized and set routines as a family, from Happy Science Mom.

You also will want to grab some Custom Daycare or School Labels for keeping your child’s stuff organized and identified.

Here are 101 back-to-school tips from Care.com.

You might also like these fun ideas for 100 days of school shirts!

Here’s how to prepare for the first days of school.

Back to School Lunches

How to pack school lunch your kids will actually eat, and healthy lunches and snacks from me.

Packing lunches can sometimes be an art form in itself (though who has the time?). Here are some tips to make packing lunch easier from Overstuffed Life.

Here are even more lunch box hacks from Real Mom Nutrition. I love the idea to soak apple slices to prevent browning.

Super Mom Hacks shares some great tips for better kids lunches.

Here’s a great list of toddler lunches for daycare and school, from me.

Behavior and Personality Support and Health

Sometimes kids struggle with anxiety and worry about school starting up again. We as parents are tasked with trying to ease their fears and transition.

Here is a great list of behavior traits a toddler will need before starting preschool from Making Motherhood Matter.

A list of important topics to discuss with your child before kindergarten from The Everyday Mom Life.

Here are tips for what to do if your child is getting in trouble at school by Mama Manages.

Saying goodbye as kids start school can be difficult, some tips from Merith’s Miscellany.

How to beat the back-to-school blues from Very Special Tales.

And be sure to be ready in case there’s a case of lice (louse) in your classroom from Style Hair Magazine.

What are some of your favorite back-to-school tips and mom hacks? For more back-to-school ideas, check out my back-to-school Pinterest board.