School return prep.

[MilkCereal]

Return to school time is looming. We both work ft and dc go to after school club. I'm preparing for the stress and tiredness of the working week and I'm hoping to get organized. Food prep is one way. So any other suggestions? Or food prep ideas? 2 dc aged 5 and 8.

Meal plan, book online orders, deep clean.

Start putting your kids to bed close to the time they have to get to bed for a school day, and up at a reasonable time a week before so it’s not too much of a shock.

Keeping the house tidy will help with early rushed mornings. Get them involved in packing their lunches now in prep for September. Get them in a good sleep routine in advance.

Have a 2 week rota of meals so you have an idea of what to feed them and what to buy in advance (pinterest is great for meal planning and prepping ideas). I usually do 3 meals a week that I've batch cooked in advance i.e. spag bol, soup etc. Dedicate either Sat/Sun to prepping for the week with washing, ironing, cooking etc.

I make a hidden veg pasta sauce recipe and freeze it in small portions www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pasta-tomato-hidden-veg-sauce

We have a set of coat hooks at child level by the back door for bags and coats and shoe basket each underneath. All school stuff (coat, book bags, pe bags, Welly bags for forest school etc) live on those hooks all the time so no searching around for them. At the weekend I will add extra bags for fancy dress etc for the following week. There is a noticeboard above the hooks for timetable, party invites etc. Each child has enough uniform for a full change every day plus spares so I don't have to wash in the week. I make them have school dinners at least 3 days a week to reduce packed lunch making (when they are older they can make their own!). I wish I was better at batch cooking etc but I'm afraid we mostly rely on quick beans/cheese/egg/tuna on toast/jacket potato/pasta/rice with salad or veg for tea.

Look ahead for any upcoming birthdays or parties where you may need to buy gifts cards. Then go out and buy it all in one hit to save the last minute dash. Also check school calendar for dress up days etc.
Gather a stash of coins for inevitable school gate requests.
Buy 3000000000 pritsticks for home work projects.

We are back to school tomorrow.

Packed lunch bought in.
New uniform sorted.
Just got school bags to do and early nights to enforce.

My and DH work from home so looking forward to some peace and quiet tomorrow.

I don't really know what is so different about meals? I still need to feed the family regardless if it is holiday or not unless we are away. When DD was young enough for holiday clubs the days were similar to school days, packed lunch and dinner at home.

We will be back from our holiday on Sunday, collect the pets and go shopping like every weekend.

DD needs to finish her GCSE transition homework and I have to send her to the hairdresser.

School shoes need polishing and shirts ironing. All other clothing is already washed and back in the cupboard. Stationary is already bought/ordered.

I still work from home so I look forward to peace and quite.