Mumsnet users share their back to school tips with Tesco F&F

[EllieMumsnet]

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We know many of you are currently on your knees with end of term shenanigans, and the summer hols are looming ahead....but in the spirit of being organised way ahead of time we would love to know your tips on being prepared when the back to school period comes. With the return of routine comes the return of 6am starts and mornings spent throwing together lunches while throwing the right uniform on the right child - so Tesco would like to hear your tips for ensuring your family are prepared for school each day.

Tesco F&F say: "All kids come home with stains - it's the sign of an active day. But thanks to Tesco school uniforms special stain-repel technology and 100 day guarantee you can be rest assured that your kids will look as good on the first day everyday."

How do you save yourself time and unnecessary stress during the week? Do you have a go-to routine to ensure you’re prepared the night before? Or maybe you rely on a handful of hacks to keep your mornings running smoothly? Are your children’s uniforms kept in good nick for the whole year thanks to a perfect after school formula?

Whatever tips you follow, Tesco F&F want to hear them. Share them below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Tesco voucher for a store.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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edited by MNHQ

The Summer school holidays give lots of time to get prepared for the new term but I tend to ignore all the Back to School items in the shops until a week before September and buy cheap uniforms from the supermarket which are good enough because they are soon outgrown. I also don't talk about the new term with my little one because I don't want to spoil the holiday feeling until the last possible moment

Buying uniform and stationary bits and pieces here and there through the year spreads the cost. Buying things on sale in advance of when they're needed is good!

Get uniform in early, don't leave everything till last min/mad rush, make sure you spend week before getting bits together

I try and get things bit by bit, even get some bargains in the sales. But i always buy their uniform the year before in either one or two sizes bigger when they're in the sale. You save a lot of money that way and prepared well in advance.

PARTY!!!! But seriously i save £5 a week from September onwards so in August next year it covers school uniform bill!

Get everything ready the night before, the last thing you want is having to find a missing trainer or book when you need to leave in 5 minutes.

Dinner, bath, read their school books then bed early on a Sunday night ready for school Same routine every week so they know what to expect. At the end of the school holiday they have a couple of early nights before they go back to get them back and settled into the routine again.

Make sure that everything is ready the night before as it is always harder the first day back to get a routine organised. Make a checklist for everything you need.

Good quality name tags, 1 set of official school uniform logo'd tops and jumper and then plain polos and sweatshirts. Saved us a fortune.

I am all for getting organised the night before. I think my best back to school tip is to label everything well in advance.

start a few weeks before regulating sleep times so that its not a shock at the beginning of term

Get everything ready a week in advance so give yourself some time for last minute things (e.g. your child informing you they need X the first day back)...

Generally, after a long summer they are excited to be going back and seeing their friends

We always insist on changing into play clothes as soon as we arrive home.
I always get uniform ready the night before along with items needed for the next day.
Everything as far as uniform is concerned is labelled (iron on) and although things still get lost it has saved many pieces of clothing from disappearing.

Get everything bought a long time before they go back to school.

Go for supermarket specials not brand names

Be prepared! Dont leave it til the last week of the holidays to buy uniforms/shoes/coat etc This way there will be everything you need.

I'll be picking things up throughout the holidays, rather than having on big 'back to school' panic buy towards September. It helps spread the cost!
Also, make a list of things you need and try stick to it (I'm terrible at getting distracted with new stationary, I don't know why!)

try and buy new school uniform near the start of the hoildays rather than leave it to late and you can not find what you need

Get the usual bedtime routine back to normal with a week to go before back to school!

Prep it all the night before, make the lunches, pack the packs, get the clothes out. Done!

buy all school bits early. start tweaking your routine over the week before to gradually get used to the regular pattern of bedtime etc. Have something enjoyable planned for the first weekend after school starts so that they get the idea that as soon as they get back to school they will be getting nearer the planned weekend treat.

Dont shop in the holidays for uniform its a nightmare! Buy the next size up before you need it then you got all the time in the world to buy it and mostly when offers/sales are on. Always have spares in case of accidents, all washed on a friday then its done and out of the way! At end of terms I put white shirts in a bucket with a mild bleach solution and left overnight and most stains gone. Everything checked in a 2 min check the night before except lunch box. I always ASKED as soon as he was back through the door if there was anything needed for next week, next month, next school fair as last minute stuff does my head in - if you have a boy who doesnt like to talk much ask the girls as you pick him up - they always willing and helpful with things needed to know and would sometimes run up to me to tell me stuff.

Going back to school is faced with dread by my kids so I try to prepare them early without intruding on the joy and freedom of the summer break too early. About a week or two before school we start to get new bits and bobs (pencil case, pens etc) to try and have something to look forward to. I slowly shift bedtimes if they have slipped. We plan a few treats for once they are back from favourite food to getting a new game, book, film. If they haven't seen old school friends we try and get together.

My tip would be to always check school bags because your cannot rely on the little darlings to tell you if they have a letter or homework