8 Tips on How to Get Your Child Ready for Back To School

“This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.”

Last Friday, I had an amazing dinner with some of my favorite mama friends from school. I hadn’t seen most of them all summer so it was nice to catch up over dinner and drinks. We spent over 3 hours chatting about our kiddos, sharing some laughs, and pumping each other up for the upcoming year. I think it really hit us that night that we were about be Kindergarten Moms. I’ve been trying to let it sink in all summer, but I’m still in denial that my baby is growing up so fast.

With school just around the corner, how are you guys getting your kids back into school-mode after a long break? It’s been a slow process for us over here, especially with such a lax schedule this summer, but Marli is finally getting back into her school routine. Today, I’m sharing what we’ve been doing to get her ready for her first day back with a few helpful tips.

Top / Skinny Jeans /Mary Jane Shoes / Backpack

NO MORE NIGHT OWLS – Start enforcing an earlier bedtime so your child can wake up well-rested and ready to tackle the day. We don’t allow any screen time 30 minutes before bed so the transition is a little easier and warm baths, reading books, and listening to soothing music tend to help her fall asleep much easier.

STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES – There’s nothing more exciting for kids than getting new stuff, especially when it involves school supplies, so why not let them help. Plus, it’ll get them even more excited for school to start – every parent’s dream! Just make sure to grab a few extra supplies for the next back-to-school tip.

GET CRAFTY – Have them create a fun craft about what their upcoming school year. It can be a drawing, answers to questions you’ve made, or even a little portfolio to house all their art projects throughout the year (because we know you’ll get a ton of those). If it’s a drawing or Q&A, you can have them make another one at the end of the school year, then do a comparison. It’ll be a great opportunity to see how much they’ve learned.

GET STYLIN’ – Now it’s time to let your kid’s personality shine! Take them on a back-to-school shopping trip to OshKosh B’gosh and let them show you what pieces best fit their personal style with the “Be Yourself” line. OshKosh has always been one of my favorite shops for the girls because of the great quality, affordable prices, and age-appropriate attire. In fact, we did a ton of our back-to-school shopping with them last year. Looking back at these photos, I cannot believe how much she has grown. It’s nice to see her style hasn’t changed much, though! She still gravitates towards anything girly and pink or has flowers and hearts on it.

With their wide assortment of styles, your kid can easily create several different looks with just a few items. I tend to stick to the basics for bottoms, but let her get creative with her tops and dresses. It’s also nice to throw in a good staple jacket she can wear with any outfit and this denim number will be her go-to this year.

PACK AHEAD – I started this last year and it has been a lifesaver! Now that your child has a fully stocked wardrobe, it’s time to pack ahead. Purchase a hanging 5-cubby storage for their closet and have your child fill the cubby with their school clothes and pajamas for the entire school week. Not only is it the perfect way to get your kid back into school-mode for the year, but it teaches them about responsibility.

VISIT THE SCHOOL – If your school has an open house or ‘meet the teacher’ night, take advantage of it! It’s a great way to get your child back-to-school ready. Plus, it’ll be a great time to see their new classroom, get acquainted with their new teacher, and maybe even run into their classmates.

SET UP A STATION – Have a station in your home to house all your child’s school necessities and get them accustomed to knowing this area well. Things like their backpack, lunch bag, napper, shoes, jacket, and maybe even a chores chart should go here. Practice having your child put away their things when they get home so mornings are a breeze when it’s time to go.

Floral Dress / Denim Jacket / Mary Jane Shoes

TALK IT OUT – This is a simple one, but often overlooked and probably the most important tip of all. Spark conversation through open-ended questions about things they’re excited about or even things they may even be afraid of. By talking through their feelings, you can foster a more confident child who will better prepared when the school year starts.

Now is the perfect time to start implementing these easy ways to get your kid ready for back-to-school. Did you have any to add? I’d love to hear! If you’re still looking to do more back-to-school shopping, visit OshKosh to shop their “Be Yourself” collection. Your child’s sure to find something to make him/her feel like a rockstar for the school year.

Visit any of their 300+ locations HERE or shop their online store HERE. Purchase $40 or more and get 20% off your entire order with Coupon Code: 037958 for in-store purchases and OKBG3478 for online orders. Thanks so much for reading, guys!