Got Back to School Blues?
Back-to-school shopping and registration season is already here. But do you have all the tips to make it smooth, affordable, and stress-free? Over the years, we’ve picked up some tried-and-true tricks that help take the chaos out of August and make the school transition actually enjoyable.
Start by going through all the clothes now. Check sizes on coats, toss socks with holes, and see if pants or shirts are getting too snug. Go through underwear, shoes, and sweatshirts, too. Make a list of what needs to be replaced before that first school bell rings and you’re running around with your head cut off like a chicken.
Keep it simple and limit the laundry. Set a specific amount of outfits per kid to reduce clothing overload and avoid laundry piles. Our family rule (minus the girls) is two shorts, two pants, five to seven shirts, one sweatshirt, and one winter coat. Not only does it keep things organized, but it also cuts down on decision fatigue. Overconsumption has become a real issue—studies show that the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing each year. A few quality pieces are more than enough—after all, they can only wear one outfit a day.
Invest in a quality backpack. It might cost more upfront, but the payoff is real. We bought our first Pottery Barn backpack in 2020 and it still looks almost brand new. Each kid gets one the moment they enter kindergarten—personalized with their name. It becomes a tradition, a gift, and an investment all in one.
Order most school supplies through pickup or shipping. This tip came from my mom and it’s a game-changer. It keeps everything contained until supply drop-off day and helps you avoid the chaos of in-store scavenger hunts.
Let kids pick out a few custom touches—or keep it basic and let them decorate with stickers. Personalizing school supplies doesn’t have to break the bank. One fun option that’s stood the test of time? A Nalgene water bottle covered in their favorite stickers—a total millennial parenting win.
Buy quality school supplies from small shops when possible. Etsy has great options like custom pencil holders that can last multiple school years, and engraved stainless steel water bottles that can go from school to practice to dinner table. It’s another win for sustainability and quality.
At the end of each school year, gather still-good supplies and place them in a designated bin. Go through it before buying anything new. This encourages reuse, reduces waste, and can save a surprising amount of money. In fact, the average American household spends over $864 on back-to-school shopping per child. Even saving 10–20% of that makes a difference.
Don’t want to keep the extras? Donate them! Leftover supplies like crayons and glue sticks can go to preschools, libraries, or daycares. Broken crayons? Believe it or not, some organizations will take those too and turn them into something new.
Consider buying secondhand. We once found a brand new Columbia jacket—originally $115—for just $35 on Mercari. A hot wash later, it was ready to go and looked like it came straight from the high-end section of the store.
When shopping for girls, think about longevity. Pick styles that can start out as dresses and later become tunics as they grow. This stretch-the-style approach is a smart way to make the most of your money. My girls wear Grace on the Hill, personally.
Avoid expensive shoes unless they’re needed for a sport or are being handed down. For everyday wear and the playground, those $20 Walmart shoes hold up just fine. Save the high-end brands for athletics where proper support matters, and when the season ends, take them to a buy/sell sports store to recover some of the cost.
Create a designated drop zone at home. When kids come in the door, their stuff needs a place to land. Clutter can overstimulate the brain and even trigger a threat response, according to neuroscientific research. We transformed a closet with hooks and a shoe basket by the door. Everyone knows where their bags go, and it’s just as easy to put them away as it is to toss them on the floor.
Make school practical—not Pinterest-perfect.
If you’re a busy parent or trying to stretch your budget, don’t hesitate to sign up for hot lunch. Many school programs offer free or reduced lunch applications that take less than five minutes to fill out. You could save your family hundreds of dollars a year just by checking a box.
Establish an after-school routine. Family time is crucial for kids, especially after long days away from home. Setting a rhythm for snacks, showers, and bedtime brings stability. Consider designating one night a week for a movie or game night—simple traditions that build strong connections keep families together.
Say no to the overload of extracurriculars. In our family, we have a rule to be home 4–5 nights a week. That means saying no to constant playdates, back-to-back activities, and sleepovers. It protects our family time and gives our kids a chance to rest.
And finally, start now. For most families, school is less than a month away. Set a timer for just five minutes a day and tackle one small prep project at a time. By the time school starts, you’ll feel calm, prepared, and maybe even excited.
Because back to school doesn’t have to mean back to chaos.
Always,
Rach
Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com
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