Back To School time isn’t just about getting the kids ready, us parents have to be prepared too! Here are 10 Back To School Tips for parents. While this post is sponsored by Crispy Green, our passion for helping parents survive the back to school season is our own!

Back To School Tips For Parents

Summer always seems to fly by and before you know it, it will be time for kids to go back to school. This can be a bittersweet moment for parents. On one hand, children are getting back into a routine and learning new things and on the other hand, parents have to adjust to their children being gone all day long and we have to adjust back to school schedules again.

Parents want their children to have a successful school year, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Back To School time isn’t just stressful for kids, it’s stressful for us parents too! From new schedules, fall sports starting back up…and do I really have to mention the whole adjusting to new sleep schedules?! My kids get up at 5:40…IN THE MORNING. Let’s just say I don’t wake up at that time over the summer months. While I view being a parent as the most rewarding gift in the world, I will also openly admit…IT’S HARD.

So, when it’s Back To School time, no matter how old my kids are, I appreciate all the tips and tricks I can get to make that time a bit easier. And I’m guessing you would too. That’s why I got together a list of back to school tips for parents that will hopefully make the process just a tad bit easier.

Here are 10 back to school tips for parents to help get ready for the school season

Start Preparing Early 

The earlier you start, the less stressed you’ll be. Talk about expectations both at home and at school. Have conversations with your children about what you expect from them this year in terms of grades and behavior. This will help the children feel more comfortable and it will give them a sense of security.

Best Back To School Tips For Parents

Get Organized

Make a list of what your child needs for school and start shopping for supplies (more on how to tackle back to school shopping below!). This will help reduce stress levels as the deadline approaches.  Help your children get organized before the school year starts by setting up a homework station and creating a calendar or planner for them to use. Make a list of what you need to buy and when you need to have it done. I will actually start having our favorite back to school and after school snacks in the house early too, Crispy Green Fruits are perfect because they don’t require refrigeration and I can buy a bunch 🙂 Plus, now that they have added 53% more fruit in each single bag, it helps to keep the kiddos (and me!) satisfied longer.

Set A Good Example

One of the best ways for parents to help their children prepare for back to school is by setting a good example themselves. Show your children that you take your education seriously and that you’re excited for them to return to school.

Use A Calendar

Making the back to school transition as smooth as possible for both parents and children often includes utilizing a calendar. For parents, a calendar can help with organization by mapping out when school supplies are needed, doctor’s appointments, and other important dates. Additionally, for children a calendar can help with visual representation of the school year, breaking down each month into specific subjects and activities. This can help alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with starting a new school year. There are many different types of calendars available; online calendars, paper calendars, or even smartphone apps. Whichever type of calendar is chosen, it is important to stick to it in order to create a successful routine for the family.

Top Back To School Tips For Parents

Create A Plan For Lunches

When the school year starts, it can be hard to get into a routine of packing lunches every day.  Trust us…we created #PowerYourLunchbox for a reason!

Here are some tips to help make packing lunches easier:

  • Plan ahead. The night before, decide what you will pack for lunch the next day. This will save time in the morning. Get non-refrigerated items out and on the counter or go ahead and toss them in the lunchbox so they a ready to go. Skip the chips, but keep the crunch that everyone loves with Crispy Fruit single bags.
  • Use leftovers. If you have leftovers from dinner, pack them for lunch instead of cooking something new.
  • Make a list of easy-to-pack foods. Some easy-to-pack foods include sandwiches, Crispy Fruit single bags, fruits and vegetables, single serving yogurt, granola bars, and trail mix.
  • Use reusable containers and bags. This will help reduce waste and save money on packaging materials. When you can’t use your own reusable containers, consider buying products that promote using less packaging. Less waste is better for the environment! Crispy Green now has 30% less packaging in their 4-packs….just another reason why you’ll find them in my pantry.
  • Keep an icepak in the freezer ready to go for perishable items like meats and cheeses. This will help keep them cold until lunchtime.

Need some lunch inspiration? We got you! Here are over 75 lunchbox recipe ideas that you and the kiddos are sure to love.

Here’s just a few of our lunchbox favorites:

Talk About How Homework Time Will Go

The school year is starting and that means homework will be assigned. And in my house, that means there’s the daily discussion of “Did you do your homework?” Friends, my kids are in high school and I still have to ask every.single.day.

Here are some tips for parents on how to help their child succeed with homework:

  • Establish a routine for when homework is done. This could be as soon as they get home from school, right after dinner, right before bed, or some other time that works for your family. This may take a little trial and error, but you will eventually find what works best for you and your child.
  • Make sure your child has a workspace that is distraction-free. This could be a desk in their room or somewhere else in the house where they can work without interruption.
  • Have any supplies your child might need ready and within reach on their workspace, such as pencils, paper, textbooks, etc.
  • Know who their teachers are. If there are any questions about the homework assignment, help your child to get in touch with the teacher as soon as possible. Email addresses are usually available before school starts and my kids have an app where they can get in touch with their teachers.
  • Encourage your child but don’t do the homework for them. Sometimes that may feel easier, but in the long run, you’re just hurting them.
Top Back To School Tips

Get Back to School Shopping Done Early

If you’re like most parents, the idea of doing back-to-school shopping fills you with dread. Not only is it time consuming, but it can also be expensive. Set a budget and stick to it. Don’t go overboard on spending just because it’s the back to school season. 

There are ways to make the back to school shopping process a little less painful. Here are a few back to school shopping tips:

  • Start early. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to find good deals.
  • Set a budget and stick to it. It’s easy to overspend when you’re shopping for school supplies, so be careful not to go overboard.
  • Shop around. Don’t just buy everything at the first store you visit. Compare prices online and at different stores before making a purchase.
  • Bring your child with you when shopping for school supplies and school snacks. While sometimes that means you are buying the more expensive pens and folders, bringing them along helps get your child excited about going back to school and using their new fun supplies.

Set A Bedtime Routine

Stick to it as much as possible. This will help your child get back into the swing of things and make it easier to wake up early in the morning. We recommend switching up those fun summer late nights for early mornings about 2 weeks before school starts. This will help with the early morning tears…from you 😉 Be sure to listen to our Tips For A Better Nights Sleep For Your Family Podcast and check out the best bedtime snacks for kids to help ease into that bedtime routine.

Tips for Preparing for Back To School

Make Time for Yourself

Even though it’s a busy time, make sure you take some time for yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed. In the midst of caring for everyone, do not forget about self-care. I repeat, DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOU! Even if it’s 5 minutes with a warm cup of coffee and your favorite afternoon snack.

Ask for Help 

Need help? ASK! It’s human nature to want to help people, but yet, we are always so reluctant to ask for it. People like to help friends and family! So, when you need it…ask for help. Even if it’s just so you can make a little time for yourself. Again, self-care is very important.

Best Tips for Preparing for Back To School

What are some of your back to school tips for parents?