It’s that time of year again. With my oldest starting High School this year I have been preparing for “Back to School” since before Christmas!!
Frixion has teamed up with Nicole Pierotti to bring us some tips for the crazy that is about to ensue as we prepare for that first day back at school. A child psychologist of 19 years, Nicole Pierotti runs her own clinic in Queensland and parenting advice website, ‘Baby Smiles’.
“It’s best for parents and for kids to start the term in a calm and focused way. No one needs lost socks or tired kids first day back at school. Invest a little time in preparing for back to school and you will feel calm and in control. Families are much happier and run smoothly when you start the term off in a organised manner,” says Nicole Pierotti, child psychologist.
If you haven’t heard of Frixion, they are a erasable pens!
Featuring thermo-sensitive ink which is removed through heat and friction, you can make a mistake and rub it out with the built-in eraser and start again. (Awesome!, and I’m giving away three packs full below!)
Nicole offers her top tips on getting your child ready to go back to school.
- Get Sleep on Track – holidays are well known for later bedtimes and morning sleep-ins. Rather than wait until the first day back at school, adjust your child’s bedtime back 15 minutes a night a few nights before, so on the first day of school, they’ll bounce out of bed with ease.
- Find those uniforms – The day before school goes back, get your children to organise their uniform, find their shoes, give them a polish, gather their hats and lunchboxes. You don’t want to be looking for lost socks on the first day of school.
- Be lunch box ready – Back to lunchboxes it is. So be sure to organise the grocery list, shop, stock the pantry and plan for the week ahead before school starts.
- Replace stationery – Get your children to check their pens, pencils, rubbers, coloured pencils and glue sticks. Replace any that are past their use. It’s certainly easier to shop for these in the holidays than running around after school and in-between school activities. Plus your child’s teacher really doesn’t want to be asked about these the first few days back!
- Update your timetable – spend 30 minutes updating your timetable with after school activities, sport, choirs, drama, music. Pencil it in your diary and be sure to print it out and put it on the noticeboard or fridge. Have it visible not hidden in a file or on a desk somewhere. I love making colour coded ones with a different colour for each child. Frixion pens are great for this because you can rub out any changes with the built-in eraser, without a trace, to keep your timetable easy to read and ensure you stay organised.
Frixion is available in all major retailers, newsagents and stationery suppliers nationally. For further information, visit: www.pilotpen.com.au
Win one of three Frixion Prize Packs!
Competition now closed. Winners announced soon.
To enter: Tell me in 25 words or less your top back to school tip.
Competition ends 30 Jan 2017. Full T&C’s can be found here.
Jessica Ashbrooke
January 30, 2017 at 2:43 pmBuy your kids s school stuff as part of their Christmas presents it saves money having to be forked out end of January
Angela ready
January 30, 2017 at 12:48 pmPack lunches the night before, get the kids involved. Then they know they like what’s for lunch, and you’ll know they’ll eat it.
Donna Roberts
January 30, 2017 at 12:44 pmGet organised Kids sleep patterns and getting ready Days in advanced as coming of Holiday mode is always hard so they can hit the ground running
Theoni Versace
January 30, 2017 at 12:28 pmWear school shoes, for a couple of hours each day, one week before school. This means they will be worn in and comfortable on the first day!
Laura Scriven
January 30, 2017 at 10:56 amWrite a list and check it twice,
Then the experience will be nice!
Melissa Edwards
January 30, 2017 at 10:04 amBe organized and be positive about school, work with the teachers as a team!
Tracey Taylor
January 30, 2017 at 9:54 amDrop and Kiss.Leave the professionals to do their job.
Ashley Beech
January 30, 2017 at 8:22 amGet the kids back into routine 2 weeks before school starts; that way you’re not stuck pulling a late one the first day back.
Jill-Anne
January 30, 2017 at 7:28 amClothes set out, lunches prepared where possible night before. Posted checklists for all, grown-ups too! Magnetic fridge wipe on/off calendar for appointments.
David Braybrooke
January 30, 2017 at 5:26 amAllow each child one ‘unhealthy’ treat per week in their lunchbox. Choc, chips, lollies, and mark off the selection on a special calendar. Saves arguments!
faye
January 29, 2017 at 10:03 pmSort out the kids’ uniforms early. Knowing their clothes and shoes plus bags are ready is great for one’s ‘calmness’!
Becky Downey
January 29, 2017 at 9:38 pmIf you find good school shoes – buy all the sizes ahead. You know you won’t find what you want when you do need them!
Rowena McCarthy
January 29, 2017 at 8:46 pmBed early so there up early so they will be ready and organised!!
Elisabeth Martins
January 29, 2017 at 7:50 pmKid bedtimes can look more like a grown-up’s in the summer. Gradually move up bedtime to get your kids back on their school sleep schedule a couple of weeks before the first day.
Kylie D
January 29, 2017 at 7:19 pmI like to be organised and have uniforms ordered at the end of the year, new lunch boxes ordered before Christmas and stationery packs finalised the first week of January but…… a friend realised this morning she hadn’t bought stationery and still managed to have it all bought by 10am!
My best tip therefore would be to chill out and enjoy the school holidays as much as possible, it’s over all too soon.
ange
January 29, 2017 at 4:47 pmGet the kids involved in what they eat by going through the things that they can have in their lunchboxes
Sarah M
January 29, 2017 at 1:21 pmOrder all of the kids’ booklist items online as soon as the list is sent home – cheaper and easier than fighting everyone in the shops in January!
Rebecca
January 29, 2017 at 12:59 pmBe prepared and enjoy watching your children grow and learn!
Bella Ri
January 29, 2017 at 9:41 amSet up lunch boxes the night before, label all belongings, organise all books and stationery the week before the big day!
julie
January 29, 2017 at 9:17 amwe do a practise day,put on uniform, have a picnic with new lunch box and drinkbottles, pack school bag, ready for the big day ahead
Tabatha Voss
January 29, 2017 at 8:48 amYou know it’s going to happen,so stop avoiding what you need to do
sarah fairley
January 29, 2017 at 6:29 amBe disciplined……do the preparation the night before so the morning goes smoothly
cheryl ellis
January 29, 2017 at 5:32 amBeing organised Make sure everyone gets a good night sleep healthy snacks and lunch and always lots of encouragement
Kelly Ryan
January 29, 2017 at 5:28 amStart early to allow for delays, or when things need to be specially ordered in.
Melinda Bolitho
January 29, 2017 at 4:59 amCook & Freeze.
Plenty of bandaids for scratched knees.
Cuddles and kisses on the first day.
They’re just kids – let them play!
Jenna
January 28, 2017 at 10:59 pmDespite all the stress, enjoy it. Because before you know it, the kids will be all grown up. Time flies.
Nat Hallett
January 28, 2017 at 8:58 pmPractice the “this is how you take your jumper off, and this is how you put it in your school bag”… over and over and over again.
Or expect it to vanish into thin air!!!
Vivian Di Biasi
January 28, 2017 at 8:57 pmGet as much things organised the night before, so your busy mornings will run smoothly.
ashna
January 28, 2017 at 7:32 pmLabel everything!!! No further explanation needed!
Shannon Wotton
January 28, 2017 at 5:24 pmI make the kids a morning to-do checklist each so that they know exactly what they need to do to get ready for school each morning. This way they can work through their list and check off each job (have breakfast, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, wash face, go to the toilet etc..) and once they are done they can watch a bit of TV or play iPad before school. They get ready much more quickly if it means more TV or IPad time too!
Madonna
January 28, 2017 at 5:03 pmTop tip for going back to school is wear school shoes to school; the whole class will remember if you wear slippers!
Linda S
January 28, 2017 at 1:15 pmPlan some early morning outings the week prior so you call get used to early starts again!
Jen McKay
January 28, 2017 at 12:59 pmShop together – my girls are always excited to go back to school as they can’t wait to use new belongings that they have chosen themselves.
Leanne Christine White
January 28, 2017 at 12:04 pmDo a dry run…if they are a bit concerned about the whole process, organise a day where they get up in the morning, put on their uniform, pack their bags and walk or drive to school!
Josephine Hellings
January 28, 2017 at 12:29 amMake it fun for your kids by contacting their books and engraving their names into their pencils.
Rebecca Carpenter
January 27, 2017 at 11:35 pmJust play it cool. Be the “Cool” Mum!
Chrissy Roberts
January 27, 2017 at 9:32 pmPlanning. Don’t leave it all to the last minute. Make a list and go do it. It’s better to spend a bit more before it all goes on special than to miss out on some of the things you need because you waited and now they are gone.
Sarah Miller
January 27, 2017 at 6:20 pmBusy mums use Frixion pens
But there’s one thing we can’t erase.
To be late, first day! So a practice run,
Will win the morning race.
Deanne Deluca
January 27, 2017 at 9:41 amFreeze all the lunches up for the week and label everything so it isn’t lost or stolen.
Sharon M
January 26, 2017 at 10:08 pmFor children who are anxious about returning after school holidays, let them know you are a phone call away and can chat anytime they like (not during class of course!!!!!!) After the first day back, they are all good but just knowing they have the option to talk to you puts their mind at rest and they can get on with the term 🙂
Helen
January 26, 2017 at 4:07 pmSchoolwork writing,
Highlighting,
Colouring,more
Frixion has the arty products
I Adore!
So make your kids the luckiest in town
Especially with Frixion around!
Nicole Walton
January 26, 2017 at 1:40 pmGet uniforms and shoes all ready the night before and place them out waiting. Saves so much time in the morning
Lauren williams
January 26, 2017 at 8:53 amI love to swap recipes with all my friends,
for perfect school time snacks,
if u just use ur network of friends,
they give you all the necessary life hacks!!!!
Cassy26
January 26, 2017 at 7:51 amMake sure you have a reusable lunchbox iceblock. The start of the school year is hot, so its important to keep you childs lunch fresh and safe until lunchtime 🙂
Daniela Barbaro
January 25, 2017 at 5:19 amI have all School things out night before,most lunch packed before hand then all is left is to make a sandwich
Trudy
January 24, 2017 at 7:31 pmHave lots of cooked snacks made and kept in the freezer ready for their lunches.
JO
January 24, 2017 at 1:14 pmChoose a school bag that is kind to your little ones back. One with two straps that will evenly distribute the weight of their gear.
Sacha Pech
January 24, 2017 at 7:10 amMeal plans for lunchboxes! I have a 4 week rotation (so they don’t get bored) and I get them involved in packing/ making lunches.
Emma
January 23, 2017 at 8:41 pmTake a photo (a few days earlier!) of your kids dressed in uniform with their future occupation signposted underneath. Makes a fantastic annual momento!
Malena
January 23, 2017 at 3:12 pmSet alarms for “wake up” a week before school starts. So the kiddies body clocks get re-adjusted.
Belinda Moxey
January 23, 2017 at 11:56 amGet everything ready the night before, school bags, school lunches, school clothes, work clothes, work lunch, work bag.
The more organised you are before the day starts the better
Polly
January 23, 2017 at 10:32 amLabel it all!
From clothing, to pencils, drink bottles and lunch boxes too.
Items are less likely to get lost and can be easily identified.
Kristina S
January 22, 2017 at 8:34 pmStart school bedtimes at least a week early so they get back into the groove. I actually am a bit mean and wake them earlier so they will be ready for bed.
Renee Ballantyne
January 22, 2017 at 2:51 pmTake advantage of the discounted early ordering deals usually given to you by the school in December with your book list
Sharon Markwell
January 22, 2017 at 7:07 amPilot your way through the sales. I usually buy a year ahead for some items like exercise books.
Bryan Rigby-Roberts
January 21, 2017 at 10:19 pmMake up the first week’s sandwiches with freezer-stable ingredients, wrap individually, and freeze. Then packing lunch will be a doddle each morning, AND it will stay cool until lunch!
Kathleen
January 21, 2017 at 3:18 pmHelp little ones establish a morning and bedtime schedule with an illustrated checklist.
Shannon Parr
January 21, 2017 at 11:34 amMake the last week of the holidays uneventful and practical to make even them want to go back to school.
colin burt
January 21, 2017 at 9:15 amEverything in one, all together and easy to grab, quality and efficiency that’s what I need when organising for start of school.
Jessica O
January 21, 2017 at 7:31 amGet everything prepared the night before,
In time it won’t be a chore,
When your kids move quickly out the door,
To learn some more!
Vanda Bacich
January 20, 2017 at 9:38 pmTry not to show too much excitement in front of the kids. Save the big WHOOHOO until after you drop them off.
Irena
January 20, 2017 at 5:23 pmBuy school shoes one size up when they are on sale… when your kids tell you their shoes are too small, you already have them!
Jessica
January 20, 2017 at 11:13 amPrepare everything the night before,
In time it won’t be a chore,
When they are quicker out the door,
Just in time to learn more!
Jessica
January 20, 2017 at 11:10 amPrepare everything you need the night before,
In time it won’t become a chore,
When your kids are quickly out the door,
In the new year they’ll learn so much more!
Donna Dwyer
January 20, 2017 at 9:49 amBuy good quality stationery, nothing worse than having pencils that break and pens that stop working!!
Amanda
January 18, 2017 at 7:10 pmHave the camera ready………its these types of moments that go too fast!
Joanna Harrison
January 18, 2017 at 10:20 amMake sure kids are used to waking up with plenty of time to get ready; there’s nothing worse than a rushed morning where you’ve forgotten to pack your lunch 🙂
Hailey Smith
January 17, 2017 at 10:16 amFind where stock the removable covers. No more contacting and they can change books and use the same cover, as long as its still in good condition
Kathleen
January 16, 2017 at 5:35 pmTake inventory of what you have. It can be quite an eye-opener when you realize how many school supplies are already around your home.
Abba Flores
January 15, 2017 at 3:17 pmMark all school and after school activities in your calendar and prepare for them if you can ahead of time.
hayley shaw
January 15, 2017 at 9:31 amGet prepared all year round! spending $5 or $10 each week on school supplies makes it so much easier in feb
hayley shaw
January 15, 2017 at 9:31 amGet prepared all year round! spending $5 or $10 each week on school supplies muchs it so much easier in feb
Sarahmary
January 15, 2017 at 8:01 amGetting the kids involved in everything from helping cover books, to choosing a lunchbox menu and helping cook too. It gets them excited.
Amelia
January 14, 2017 at 7:10 pmGet little ones to recognise their bag, pencil case, drink bottle by using them in the holidays. Lower the lost property stresses!
sam G
January 14, 2017 at 10:44 amalways make a list, be prepared and shop early before the chaos
David Braybrooke
January 14, 2017 at 5:33 amHave uniforms and school equipment all prepared and labelled a week before school resumes. Last week: relax, do nothing, have fun. Stress buster!!
Aleisha Sullivan
January 13, 2017 at 8:10 pmBuy everything you can when it’s cheap and make sure they get enough sleep!
Amelia
January 13, 2017 at 5:28 pmDon’t freak out. Be calm. The more stressed you are the more stressed your kids are, don’t worry so much, its going to be all right.
Tracy R
January 13, 2017 at 3:40 pmAlways check Gumtree and Ebay for cheap prices to buy school books/ clothes
Tracy
January 13, 2017 at 3:39 pmPack all their things needed for the first day of school in the bag – make sure that they like their lunch
BEC FRANCIS
January 13, 2017 at 8:36 amSTART GETTING THEM READY
EARLY NIGHTS, EARLY MORNINGS, PACK LUCHES AND BAGS 1 WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS BACK THEN THEIR BODY & MIND SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL MODE FOR THE BIG DAY
Myla
January 12, 2017 at 9:46 pmCheck uniforms if they still fit. Check socks and bags. Check friends who have older kids for outgrown uniforms. Then shop for the necessary.
Gary Wood
January 12, 2017 at 9:39 pmFor primary schooling i recommended either buying the required book-list items from the schools book pack program or putting the list in to the local newsagent for them to complete & pick up later – Why? because 90% of items required will most certainly need to be purchased via a newsagent anyway…
Ali
January 12, 2017 at 2:04 pmSalvage what you can: a new year does not mean you have to buy everything brand new. Don’t add to landfill for the sake of it!
Carol Philps
January 12, 2017 at 12:57 pmI check all the back to school catalogues for the best prices for school supplies and school shoes early January
Jade O
January 12, 2017 at 11:29 amPurchase supplies all through the year when on sale and put them away, come back to school time you’ll have most of it.
Louisa Frail
January 12, 2017 at 11:25 amBuy in bulk not only does it save you money it also saves the hassles of kids needing something at the last minute.
Alicia Bardsley
January 12, 2017 at 7:03 amMake a list with the kids’ help a few weeks before school starts and get everybody to help you get organised.
Justine Drake
January 12, 2017 at 6:05 amHave everything for the first week pre-prepared,
so when your running late,
all you have to do is worry about their hair!!
Melissa D
January 11, 2017 at 11:24 pmDo alot of the preparation work and uniforms the night before so you are not rushing in the morning and you can enjoy it 🙂
Sapna
January 11, 2017 at 10:30 pmBuy quality lunchboxes for packet – free lunches,looks expensive but can be reused next year & this year’s lunchbox won’t end in landfill next year.
Anastasia Xynos
January 11, 2017 at 6:17 pmLabel everything and I mean EVERYTHING
Nicole Kent
January 11, 2017 at 12:15 pmGet organised early for those must have bits
And do a big batch of cooking for when lunches hit!
sonya
January 11, 2017 at 10:28 amThis is from experience… make sure you check your child hasn’t grown out of their school uniform before school starts! My daughter grew so much in just those 6 weeks holidays that her dress was way too short the first day back!
Bill
January 11, 2017 at 9:49 amBefore shopping make a list of what is needed and don’t leAve it until the last minute so you don’t get flustered really would love to win this fingers and toes crossed xxxxx
DIANA
January 10, 2017 at 7:13 pmThis is going to sound like bad parenting, but do leave things until the last minute. Everything from shoes to stationery are on sale then!!!!!!!!!
Ern
January 10, 2017 at 7:12 pmSlightly older friends and cousins are an amazing source for hand me down books, and uniforms!! So keep in tight with them.
Ryan
January 10, 2017 at 2:43 pmA few spelling, maths test at home the week before going back so that they don’t start back at school a bit rusty.
Teena Lewis
January 10, 2017 at 2:19 pmBook covers are a life savers, no more spending hours contacting all their books, love them!
Kasey Evans
January 10, 2017 at 1:05 pmRecycle ♻️ most often kids items are still in great shape and you can save heaps just like the plastic book covers I reuse each year.
cindy
January 10, 2017 at 12:21 pmGo bright and cheery with covers, books, pens, pencils and some great handy things like bulldog clips to make learning easier and more exciting.
Genevieve French
January 10, 2017 at 11:15 amCreate a budget, and separate it by ‘needs’ and ‘wants’. Don’t just go out and start shopping, or you will spend too much on emotional purchases. You add in the ‘I wants,’ and you double your spending.
Cath B
January 10, 2017 at 10:26 amWhen the kids book list are received, they’re dropped into Officeworks immediately, convenience and reasonable price are king!
Rachel K-N
January 10, 2017 at 10:23 amInvolve them; look at school catalogues together. They pick items then go shopping. Talk up new friends, teachers, exciting new learning, pick colourful book coverings.
Kylie Embury
January 10, 2017 at 10:13 amI shop when everything is reduced – stationery, lunch boxes, socks etc and also use local buy and sell pages for clothing and text books.