Our Favorite Tips for a Smooth Start!
I blinked and summer is just about over! Can anyone else relate? The first day of school is almost here and while I’m still trying to emotionally prepare, I’ve learned that a little back-to-school prep makes a huge difference in keeping our mornings smooth and stress-free.
Whether it’s your first school year or you’ve done this before, here are all my go-to tips, favorite products, and fun little traditions to make the back-to-school season special for both the kids and mom!
👚 Outfit Planning for the Win
If you have a little fashionista, like we do, outfit prep is a lifesaver. On Sunday nights, we plan outfits for the entire week—head to toe! I’m talking about outfit, bow, shoes, and all. It seriously cuts down on morning chaos when everything is already picked out and ready.
Our son isn’t picky yet, so I still get to choose his outfits (for now lol).
We also use this genius hair caddy —which is actually a picnic utensil organizer! I keep all of our morning hair tools in it: brush, detangling spray, water bottle, hair wax, gel, hair ties, and clips. It lives at the breakfast table so we can do hair while the kids eat. Less back-and-forth = smoother mornings.
GRAB THE CADDY & ALL OF OUR FAVS
🎒 Smart Organization Hacks
This year, I swapped out our usual ziplock “change of clothes” bag for a Mesh Zipper Pouch, and I already love it. So much sturdier, and I won’t have to constantly replace it!
We also set out backpacks, water bottles, shoes, and anything else we’ll need to grab before we head out. Mornings feel so much smoother when we’re not hunting for backpacks when we’re already supposed to be in the car!
🍓 Non-Negotiable Lunch Prep
Back to school mornings are hectic enough, so prepping lunches the night before is an absolute MUST in our house. Literally cannot imagine getting lunches packed in the morning while also getting the kids ready! I’ve got a full blog post on our Amazon School Lunch Favorites that covers all our most used tools, accessories, and fun non-sandwich lunch ideas if you need inspiration.
Don’t forget to slip in a lunchbox note— especially if your little one can read, but even an “I <3 You” or smiley face is super fun too for them to open up! It’s a sweet way to connect during the school day and yep, I cry almost every time I write one.
We also prep a separate snack pouch for mid-morning snacks at school, or after lunch—because these kids are always hungry!
🌟 Don’t Forget the Teacher Gift!
Our teachers are about to pour so much time, energy, and heart into our kids this year—and I love kicking off the year with a little Back to School Teacher Gift. Something simple and sweet just to say thank you.
One of my favorites is this plastic apple container filled with goodies—practical items, a treat, and of course, a little caffeine gift card (because… duh). You can see more ideas in my Teacher Appreciation Gift blog post!
GET ALL THE TEACHER GIFT INSPO IN THIS BLOG POST
📆 Mom Prep is Part of the Plan Too
Back-to-school prep isn’t just for the kids! I always prep fruit or easy snacks for after school because my kids walk in the door starving. I also try to do a quick brain dump in my Digital Planner so I don’t forget anything—and yes, it’s a nervous habit at this point lol.
GET MY FAVORITE DIGITAL PLANNER HERE
Before bed, I also set out my purse, keys, and my morning water cup so I’m ready to go. Feeling prepared myself means I can actually enjoy the mornings with the kids instead of rushing through it.
✨ Back to School Photos with the Cutest Sign
One of my favorite first-day traditions is taking a back to school picture with this adorable First Day of School Dry-Erase Signs. I love that it’s reusable, and we’ll have a sweet little collection of photos by the time they graduate. It’s such a simple way to capture those milestone moments and see how much they grow each year.
GRAB THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL SIGNS
We also hang a “Back to School” banner in the kitchen for a fun little surprise when they wake up on the first day. And, OMG I found the cutest school themed paper plates, placemats, and fun boxes! Extra touches like this gets the kids so excited for the year ahead and adds a little bit of magic to the morning, I love seeing their faces when they walk in to a fun set-up!
SHOP THE CUTEST SCHOOL PAPER GOODS
It’s All So Worth It!
Back to school season is a whirlwind, but with a little prep (and a few Alani’s lol), we’ve totally got this. These little routines and traditions make the transition smoother and help create sweet memories along the way.
I’ll be cheering you on, mama—you’ve got this!
Shop Everything in this Post Below
AMAZON BACK TO SCHOOL ESSENTIALS
Leave a Reply