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Some children are in the middle of their summer school holidays, others are slowly approaching, finally ready to relax and recharge.
But while the holidays bring a much-needed break from the comings and goings of school, constant clubbing and general chaos, they seem to disappear before you know it.
So if there's one piece of advice anyone who isn't already shopping for a new uniform needs to hear, it's that you need to get organized now.
“Before we dive into the glorious unfitness of summer, it’s helpful to jot down key dates, so there are no last-minute surprises,” suggests chartered psychologist and wellbeing guru Suzy Reading, author of the family calming practice book, Stand Tall Like A Mountain.
And to ensure it's as painless as possible, experts offer these tried-and-true tips…
Start shopping for uniforms now
“Make a list of the new equipment and clothing you need and put a note in your diary when you need to order it,” Reading suggests. “Keep an eye on uniform suppliers’ offers and order well in advance (to account for returns and repeat orders) so you can get the right model without panicking.”
Mari-Carmen Sanchez-Morris is a former pediatric ICU nurse turned women’s health and fitness expert and mother of three: “Back-to-school administration is huge, which adds to the mental load,” she says. “Preparing ahead of time for back-to-school means less stress, as last-minute shopping (we’ve all been there) can add more stress than necessary. It also allows you to make sure you have the right size and styles before they sell out.”
Order administrators in advance to keep children calm
“Early preparation is key,” says Heidi Skudder, parenting expert at premium baby brand Stokke and founder of parenting center Positively Parenthood. “Many children find the transition back to school a little emotionally difficult, and rushing a few days before returning can potentially increase their anxiety about it. Give them time to put on their new shoes, check out their new backpack or uniform, and spend time talking to them about going back to school. Children are much better prepared and likely to have fewer meltdowns or difficulties with the transition if they have time to prepare.”
Thinking about the bigger picture surrounding the school day is also important, says Vish Ungapen, senior product marketing manager at study resource center Quizlet.
“I recommend making a list of administrative tasks, such as deadlines for submitting forms, organizing extracurricular activities, and planning transportation to and from school, so that you and your child feel as prepared as possible before the new school year,” she says. “If your child is starting at a new school this year, earlier preparation also allows for a smoother transition.”
Tag all
Sanchez-Morris swears by iron-on labels, Skudder loves Stamptastic's name stamp, and Reading prefers stickers—there are plenty of ways to label your kids' clothes, you just have to find the option that works best for you. And, as Reading points out, make sure you have a Sharpie at home for last-minute labels.
Buy the elastic waistbands
Olivia Hopkins, social media manager at online retailer Hippychick, says that when children start school, it can be difficult to get used to uniforms. When her son Rufus started school last September, his school shorts were problematic to fasten. “He couldn’t get the snap to do up, so I went looking for shorts that could be pulled up, but they weren’t available anywhere. They are in high demand, so get your hands on them early.”
Save money by buying second hand
Shopping on second-hand apps like Vinted can save you a small fortune. Many parents sell uniforms on them for just £1, some of them barely worn. And if you have children with sensory issues, buying second-hand shoes can be a godsend.
“I use Vinted for everything,” Hopkins says. “My daughter is autistic and doesn’t like the feeling of wearing new shoes, so I buy her lightly used shoes for school. It helps that they’re used. But you can also get new shoes on Vinted for half the price.”
It's also worth keeping an eye out for second-hand school sales and, although it's too late for that this term, there's likely to be one early in the new school year, so don't feel the need to buy several, especially school-branded items. You can top up in the new school year.
Buy in bulk
“Ordering bulk packs of generic school uniform items, such as polos and shorts, can help keep costs down,” says Reading.
Plus, buying larger packages of lunchbox foods and portioning them into reusable containers can be much more economical than buying multiple packages of individually wrapped snacks.
Buy the bargains
Hopkins recommends signing up for all of the store's newsletters to find out when deals are available.
Right now, Deichmann is offering a buy one get one half price deal on school shoes, Aldi's back to school range is already in store and Schuh is having an offer where you can save £10 on a second item, which could be a second pair of school shoes or a bag.
Kickers is often a go-to brand for school shoes, but many people don’t know that if your child has outgrown this year’s Kickers, you can sign up to their ReSkinned programme. Send in an old pair to receive a £15 credit to spend on new shoes, or two pairs for £25 – a huge saving. There are plenty of deals available to take advantage of.
Buy bottles that last
Kids often want a specific water bottle — one with their favorite character on it, or the Air-Up, because it’s cool — but it’s actually better to choose one that will last. “You don’t want those metal bottles or the ones with straws,” Hopkins says, “because sometimes the straws don’t last or they get chewed on. The best bottle I’ve found is a Nike sports bottle, which you can squeeze and it squirts water out. My daughter has had the same one since elementary school and she’s going into fourth grade.”
Compare
Hopkins advises buying everything larger, so it lasts, and says that means you only have to spend a fortune on uniform every two years. “At our school, you have to have the logo cardigan, which is more expensive, so I buy a size up,” she says. She also buys the next size up in trousers, making sure to buy ones with adjustable elasticated waistbands, and uses iron-on hem tape to adjust them, which can be easily removed the following year. And it’s also a good idea to buy blazers larger, as they can be very expensive.
Buy summer dresses on sale now
“Summer dresses are on sale and are very inexpensive,” Hopkins says, suggesting buying them now in a size that will fit your child well next summer.
Buy cloth lunch boxes
Anyone who has had the pleasure of handling a child's lunchbox knows that it can be a messy job. Food gets mouldy, smelly and covered in yoghurt.
“We use fabric boxes and then every Friday we put them in the washing machine for Monday,” Hopkins says. “You can also hang them on the clothesline.” It’s a great tip, though she notes that plastic boxes can be washed in the dishwasher, but finds they often fall out and break.
Reading also suggests keeping lunch boxes simple, to prevent designs from going out of style.
Buy shoes that last
And finally, don’t waste money on good shoes. The kids wear them five days a week and do a lot of walking and running in them. “Rufus wore out his shoes really quickly,” Hopkins notes. “I remember Googling the best school shoes for kids and they’re Adidas Tensaurs. They’re sneakers, but they’re all black and they’ve lasted me all year.”
