Back-to-school season doesn’t have to feel like a fire drill.
If you’ve ever found yourself panic-ordering lunchboxes or sprinting through the school supply aisle at 9 p.m. in August . . . you are not alone. July is that weird month where we’re still in summer mode, but back-to-school is right around the corner (literally, as many Oklahoma schools start within the first week or two of August).
This year, I’m trying something different: spreading out the tasks, taking the pressure off future me, and avoiding the last-minute stress (and frankly paying the necessities that are marked higher in August). If you’re looking to do the same, here’s a checklist of things you can start doing now to make August way easier.
We’d like to thank Care+ Pediatrics for sponsoring this Guide to Back-to-School To-Do List Before August.
When back-to-school bugs strike, Care+ Pediatrics is ready. The backpacks are packed, the school supplies are labeled . . . and then someone wakes up with a fever. Back-to-school season also means the return of coughs, sore throats, ear infections, stomach bugs and playground injuries. When your child needs care and your pediatrician can’t fit you in, Care+ Pediatrics Urgent Care is here to help. Designed exclusively for children, Care+ offers pediatric-trained providers, kid-friendly clinics, short wait times and compassionate care that helps families feel confident from the moment they walk through the door. From fevers, coughs and flu symptoms to sprains, minor fractures, stitches, rashes and asthma flare-ups, Care+ treats the everyday illnesses and injuries that can interrupt the school year. On-site X-rays, lab testing and sports physicals make it easy to get the care your family needs in one convenient visit. Open evenings, weekends and holidays, Care+ provides a faster, more convenient alternative to the emergency room for most childhood illnesses and injuries. With locations in North Oklahoma City, Edmond and South Oklahoma City, families can walk in or save their spot online and get back to what matters most: helping their child feel better.
Click here to get started!
1. Book the Haircuts
Seriously, do this now. Those after-work appointment slots get scooped up fast, especially if your kiddo insists on seeing a specific stylist. Bonus: you’ll beat the rush and have time for a “fix it” cut if needed. Be sure to check out your local community centers and churches, which sometimes offer free haircuts and school supplies for the community kids.
2. Buy the School Shoes (and Size Up If You’re Nervous)
Don’t wait until the shelves are empty and you’re left with only light-up Spider-Man Crocs in the wrong size. July is a great time to shop, especially if your kids’ feet grew like weeds over the summer. I got lucky this year with my oldest; she found a style she liked at Target. We bought it in two colors and a size up, and she is still wearing them in June.
If you have a certain brand you like, sign up for their text or email codes, and keep an eye out for mid-summer sales. We usually end up scoring Converse high tops for under $25 this way . . . and maybe Mom orders herself a pair too.
3. Inventory the Backpack Situation
First, I am saying a short prayer that you remembered to clean out your child’s backpack back in May and are not just now thinking about it. Gah, I am glad I did. There were so many rocks, wrappers, socks, and though both of my kids’ backpacks made it a year, the youngest one was holding on by some safety pins and knots. If yours is still in decent condition, is the zipper broken? If it is, it might be time to go ahead and donate.
Go ahead and check now so you’re not scrambling the night before school starts. My tip: Look at TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls; you can find some cool ones there. As for the popular spots, Target and Walmart, I would look online as in-store can become overwhelming, and somehow you end up buying the most expensive glittery one. Online allows you to filter by your price and show your kids the options.
Bonus tip: Make sure their water bottle fits into the side drink pouch easily. Nothing is more annoying in the morning than trying to shove a too-big bottle in a bag.
4. Knock Out the School Supplies
If your school has a list, print it now. Some stores let you order by school and grade, and early birds get the Crayola, not the knockoff brand that smears. Check your school website or email them for the list; typically, they already have it.
Then keep an eye out for deals throughout the summer. Remember to check the regular school supply aisles in stores, not just the back-to-school displays out front, as often those are marked up.
Also, for regular pencils, pens, paper—buy them when you are alone. Somehow your kids will make you buy 5x more stuff than you need.
When you do take them, send them with a list, such as:
- Binder (any color)
- 5 folders (Red, white, green, blue and black)
- Scissors
- Pencil box
- I then usually say, “something fun” (under $3-5), which is typically a pencil sharpener, silly erasers, or a “fancy” pen.
Many schools now require headphones with a cord, so be sure to test your kids’ headphones. Both of my kids ended up having to get new ones mid-year, so you might not need to buy new ones if your kid was kind to the cord. If you do have to buy, don’t spend more than $10 on Amazon, Walmart, or Target. If the kids want to decorate with stickers, let them at it!
5. Pick the First Day Outfit (and Take the Picture Early If Needed)
The weather is unpredictable, the mornings are rushed, and someone will spill syrup. If you want a cute “first day” picture, do a dress rehearsal on a calmer day in July. Or be like me and be late for your first day of school.
Have them wear it once to make sure it fits right. Last year, we had too big shorts, and it was a thing . . .
Check the Dollar aisles and you can find fun “First Day of School” props. My favorite were these little flags from Target!
6. Set Up a Snack Station
You’ll thank yourself when school hits and the after-school hunger is real. Create a bin of grab-and-go snacks for lunchboxes and car rides now. We typically have them in the pantry all year round, but the summer version has fewer small, ready-to-go snacks, so start keeping an eye on your favorites and stocking them away so you won’t be paying higher prices for those individual bags of chips or Goldfish. Remember, they will be marked up closer to the school season.
7. Start (Softly) Resetting Bedtimes
I’m not saying to go full lights-out-at-7 yet, but inching bedtime earlier now makes a huge difference when school mornings return. My kids typically don’t get home from dance or soccer until 8:30 p.m., which is late, but it is their routine. Once they get home, they know it is food, teeth/bathe, and bed . . . and maybe a chewy (Melatonin) if they feel like they need help sleeping.
I haven’t figured out when we will do homework, as that starts next year for my oldest, but that sounds like an August Taylor problem, not a mid-summer Taylor problem.
8. Schedule Any Appointments (Dentist, Physicals, Eye Exams)
School forms and sports clearances sneak up on you. Try to get those done now while your calendar is still flexible. If you can, try to book the whole year for the dentist, annual check-ups, and eye exams. With so many doctors now having online portals, it is a tad easier to get ahead.
9. Make a List of Back-to-School Events
Things like Meet the Teacher Night, PTA meetings, and supply drop-offs always feel like they show up out of nowhere. Put them in your calendar now. Need help preparing for Meet the Teacher Night? I wrote this article to help you make the most of it: Ace the Meet the Teacher Meeting
10. Do a Feelings Check-In With Your Kids
Sometimes we get so focused on the stuff that we forget the emotions. Talk to your kids about their hopes, nerves, or questions about the upcoming year. A little reassurance goes a long way.
Final Thought
You don’t have to do it all at once, but knocking out a few of these tasks in June and July can turn back-to-school season into a smoother, less chaotic experience. And honestly, anything that makes August a little easier is a win in my book.
