5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents

The summer holidays may have only just started, but I'm already thinking about the new term. This year I am going to get it together and I will NOT be one of those mums shouting at the kids as we turn up to school just as the gates are closing. This year I WILL be organised. Who is with me?? I've put together a couple of Back to School Hacks that will hopefully help (I just need to remember to stick to them myself).

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents


1 - Buy Plain Socks 

By plain socks I mean absolutely zero decoration - no stripes, no bows, no 'days of the week' - they need to be completely plain. I recommend stocking up at Primark. You'll thank me for this tip later when you can easily pair your children's socks up and don't end up with 25+ random school socks that are all slightly different to each other. BONUS TIP: If you have more than one child, buy each child a different colour sock. This year Harry will be wearing grey, Jack black and Heidi white.

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents
A selection of odd socks we ended up with this year

2 - Double up on PE kits

They don't tell you this in the uniform list, but I think it is definitely worth doubling up on PE kits, especially if your children are older. Last year Harry had PE twice every week and also a before school Judo club where he needed to go to school wearing his PE kit. Look out for double packs when buying shorts, joggers and t-shirts. I have bought my children their full PE kits from Debenhams this year and the plan is that one kit will stay at school whilst one will be all packed at home. Hopefully this will avoid those mornings when the kids tell you it's a sport tournament and you realise you haven't washed their kit in weeks. It's always good to have a back up kit. I have been really impressed with the quality of Debenham's Sports Kits & I'm confident they'll keep the kids warm during those dreaded cross-country sessions and will last all year.

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents

Pack of 2 Navy Jogging Bottoms £12-14 | Children's Navy Hoodie - £11-£13 | 
Pack of 2 white T-shirts £5 - £9  | Sistema Twist 'n' Sip Water Bottles £4 - All Debenhams

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents


3 - Create a School Fund Jar

It's a well known fact that sending your children to school is expensive. If Harry & Heidi decided to opt for school dinners, I would have to pay £22 per week which will rise to £33 per week when Jack moves up into Key Stage 2. Yikes! That's not including sponsor money, world book day, raffle tickets, school fairs, school trips, coffee mornings.......I don't begrudge paying this money at all but it is sometimes a struggle when you are presented with a letter and expected to pay £15+ within a few days. With this in mind, I am creating a 'school fund' jar where I'm going to empty my spare change every couple of days, Hopefully this will mean that there will be no more last minute dashes to the cash point or scrabbling around for change in the morning.

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents


4 - Don't Iron Uniform

To me this is a no-brainer. Life is FAR TOO SHORT to be standing ironing school uniform every night. Just take your children's uniforms out of the tumble drier when they are still warm,  give them a little shake and you are good to go. It saves so much time and stress and nobody (well apart from my mum) will notice. 


5 - Start Planning Lunches NOW

Due to Heidi moving into Key Stage 2 (and the fact that I will now have to pay for school lunches because of this), we have decided that Harry and Heidi are going to take a packed lunch to school. I don't have much imagination when it comes to school lunches so I've already put together a Packed Lunch Pinterest board full of ideas and will be stalking the wonderful Eats Amazing website in the coming weeks for further inspiration.

5 Back to School Hacks for Busy Parents

I think the key is, with a bit of planning and preparation now, things will hopefully run like clockwork when the kids go back to school in September. Let me know if you have any killer tips and hacks too.

Disclosure: Items were bought using a Debenhams gift card for their Back to School campaign


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15 comments

  1. I always buy black plain socks for the mister, they always match and I bundling them up after washing is a joy x

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  2. That's a great idea about the socks...My youngest will be getting white one's and my eldest black one's!
    I think I may follow you with the school fund' jar. I am always having to go and get £10 out of the bank for a couple of pound for various things.
    I never iron uniform! You're right life is too short! hehehe

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  3. Creating a school fund is a great idea - trips and extras can be so expensive.

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  4. Great tips, the socks one especially, I'm always losing socks or getting holes in them and I'm sure kids are just as bad x

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  5. Plain socks is such a fab idea! I used to love the little bows when I was younger though haha.

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

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  6. Oh gosh school fund, I am with you on that one, secondary school is even more expensive, wait until they come home with "your daughter wants to go to Switzerland and it will cost 3 billion pounds which we require a week on tuesday or you'll be a terrible parent" maybe that's just the girls school (who I currently owe £122 for music tuition).

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  7. Lovely tips here. I agree with the plain socks tip. I am stuck with different pairs of socks now.

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  8. Great ideas and your kids are gorgeous! Love the idea of buying plain socks - we always have loads of odd socks that don't match!

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  9. The school fund idea is brilliant - why did I never think of that! x

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  10. Very helpful ideas, I think buying plain socks is the best way because other socks end up going missing over time :D

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  11. Good tips. I always leave buying uniform to late and they run out of the size I need. I will be organized this year

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  12. Reading with interest as my eldest starts school in September!

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  13. I love this, plain socks is one of my favourite tips for anyone with more than one child!

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