With my little one starting school in September I honestly lay awake the other night wondering how early I could get away with buying his and his brother's new uniform. Those of us in the know i.e. those with older children, have learned the hard way that there's such a scrum at the outset of the Summer Holidays that people like me who leave it until the last minute will find nothing left in the shops whatsoever!
First timers, rightfully, think it's best to see what will fit their little ones nearer the time - because kids do shoot up in the sunnier weather, but do so at their peril because that sweet time when you're full of pride and pulled heartstrings soon descends into a desperate panic to find all the right gear. I've taken to guessing, but here's a great article with some truly top tips which cover much more than that:
Guest Content.
It’s all right for those who manage to find a few spare weeks off work during the summer holidays to get everything organised, but for us mere mortal mothers rallying up the troops before they go back in September can feel like mission impossible.
First timers, rightfully, think it's best to see what will fit their little ones nearer the time - because kids do shoot up in the sunnier weather, but do so at their peril because that sweet time when you're full of pride and pulled heartstrings soon descends into a desperate panic to find all the right gear. I've taken to guessing, but here's a great article with some truly top tips which cover much more than that:
Guest Content.
It’s all right for those who manage to find a few spare weeks off work during the summer holidays to get everything organised, but for us mere mortal mothers rallying up the troops before they go back in September can feel like mission impossible.
A trip out for uniform is definitely not what you need
during the last weeks of August. Nothing is less relaxing that trawling through
the racks for size 8 grey trousers in a shop heaving with manic mothers and
irritable kids.
This is where an online
school uniform shop can come in handy! Click away, from the
comfort of your own home, with a glass of wine in hand. Who said the six week
break was stressful?
· Browse online and buy as much as you can from
the online school uniform shop. All uniform will be available, however you may
need to trek into town if your child’s school requires specialist attire such
as badged clothing or school ties. Underwear including socks, pants and vests
can also be purchased on the Web, as can additional uniform items such as PE
kits.
· Stock up on healthy snacks. Schools are now
quite strict with regards to what food items can be consumed on the premises.
Make good food choices for your children’s break times and packed lunches.
Dried fruits, clip dishes of fresh fruit, and wholegrain snacks are preferred.
For the very young ones, Organix do a good range of cereal bars and organic
treats. Don’t forget the lunchbox too!
· Buy stationery in bulk. While a pencil case
might not go missing, it is inevitable that pencils, crayons and pens will get
lost throughout the year. Value packs are fantastic for keeping at home, ready
to replace any items that go astray at school. Write your child’s name on
little pieces of paper and stick them onto their property with tape or sticky
back plastic.
· While it may not be on the top of your
checklist, having a supply of medicines, vitamins and other health products at
home is wise. Children’s paracetamol medicines, nit combs and tissues are just
three handy items which will definitely be useful, and will save a late night
rush to the supermarket should your child catch the standard school sniffle.
[Disclosure - I have received compensation for this post].
I've heard George is excellent for uniforms. I remember my parents splashing out a fortune for my school shirts from the one and only specialised uniform shop that sold school stuff all those years ago!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - it used to be a major expense!
DeleteIt won't be long before I am doing this for Little A - next Summer! Very good tip about buying early. X.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be here before you know it - and it is a top tip. :)
DeleteI am going to nominate you for a gong from the Queen in her next list for services to Motherhood. This is so helpful and have printed it off so I can check it come the Summer. L is starting in September. This will be bible......
ReplyDeleteYou're so kind, thank you. It's my pleasure and duty as an increasingly old hand ;)
DeleteSome great tips here for back to schoolers ... love the bit about nit combs and such like which are so the things you don't want to be combing the streets for a late night chemist for in the evening :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to link up this post at the Empty Your Archive party - we're focused on back to school posts this week but you can also share your great old posts on over 100 different topics in the Mummy Archive, which is a fab resource bank for mums - Alice xx