![A little girl sitting in at her desk in a classroom cutting a paper with pink scissors](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-1-Header-1024x576.jpg)
Ready or not, it’s already time to send the kids back to school. That means big box-store jaunts for supplies, shopping for new clothes — especially that uber-important first day ’fit — and the tear-inducing return to a frenzied morning schedule.
We get it, it’s a stressful time. So, here are some tips to make the transition a bit smoother and look after yourself in the process.
Keep it simple
Organization and education experts agree, the key to keeping sane is to simplify:
- Resist the temptation to overschedule yourself and the kids. It’s OK to say no.
- Adjust sleep routines a week before school starts to ease into the schedule.
- Order must-haves online and save a trip to the store for back-to-school shopping.
- Prioritize back-to-school tasks with a checklist:
- Plan first day of school outfits (including shoes).
- Check immunization schedule and physical check-up requirements.
- Stock up on school snacks and lunch supplies.
- Get haircuts.
- Plan school drop-off and pick up (or verify the bus schedule).
- Refresh the medicine cabinet.
- Take “me” time (check out the parent’s survival kit below for ideas).
![A young boy and girl laughing and balancing stacks of books on their heads](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-2-KeepItSimple-1024x576.jpg)
Organization is key
There are as many kid/homework/schedule organizational systems as there are children in school. Find one that works for you and stick to it.
- Plan outfits each week so younger kids can dress themselves in the morning. Try using a closet organizer to make an OOTD sorter.
- Create a drop-off place in the house for backpacks, books and assignments.
- Print out your kiddo’s morning routine so they keep track of their tasks. For example:
- Eat breakfast.
- Brush your teeth.
- Get dressed.
- Put your pajamas in the hamper.
- Make your bed.
- Pack your backpack.
- Set up a parent “inbox” to sort the papers you need to review and sign.
- Instead of keeping every art project and paper the kids bring home, take pictures with your phone and order a school year photobook.
- Stock your pantry and fridge with portioned snack and lunch items. Then let the kids decide what they want for lunch — and pack it themselves!
- At the start of the week, pack gear and equipment for extracurricular activities in a plastic tub. Keep the tub in the trunk of your vehicle for convenient access.
![Four small, neatly organized tins holding colored pencils, scissors, pencils and highlighters](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-3-OrganizationIsKey-1024x576.jpg)
App it up
Keeping every appointment and homework assignment in your head is a challenge (unless you’re a human computer). Consider using a few apps to make everything from schedules to meal planning much easier.
- Try specialty family apps like Cozi Family Organizer, OurHome or Hub Family Organizer.
- Cozi doubles as a meal planner, but you can also look at MealBoard, Paprika or BigOven.
- Keep track of school assignments and gamify homework with myHomework or The Homework App.
- Have young drivers in the family? Link them up on Life 360 to keep track of where they are — and how fast they’re driving.
![A girl sitting down at her desk writing down her homework to do list on a notepad](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-4-AppItUp-1024x576.jpg)
Make it fun
Turn back-to-school season into a pleasure, not a punishment.
- Make a special meal or do a memorable activity to celebrate a new year to learn and grow.
- Read a favorite book the night before.
- Decorate a potato chip canister and create a school year time capsule, complete with handprints, pictures and a list of hopes and goals. Follow this tutorial, complete with printables.
- Let the kids choose a Scentsy Buddy Clip for their backpack. In August, almost everything Scentsy is 10% off. Each Buddy Clip comes pre-scented in a kid-friendly fragrance.
- Host a show-and-tell dinner after the first day. Ask the kids to describe their new teacher, the new friends they met and their hopes for the new school year.
![A white backpack with little blue hearts and a blue lunchbox attached with a mermaid and turtle Scentsy buddy clips.](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-3-MakeItFun-1024x576.jpg)
Parent’s survival kit
Let’s face it, if parents are miserable, so is everyone else. Put together a few simple, affordable luxury items to pamper yourself. Then you’ll have something left to give to everyone else.
- One word: chocolate. Splurge a little on the good stuff just for you.
- Put the kids to bed a little early and curl up in a soft chair with a lap blanket, a cup of herbal tea and that book you’ve been meaning to read.
- Rely on your friends! Schedule a group yoga class or spa day with a couple of other stressed-out parents.
- Slip into the bathroom, maybe even lock the door, for a quiet bath and a few minutes of serenity. Use Scentsy Body Wash to make the moment special.
- Get a tube of Hand Cream in your favorite fragrance for moisture on the move.
- When you’re shuttling kids to practices and plays, take your favorite fragrance on the go with Scentsy Go and Scentsy Pods. Just Breathe is extra relaxing.
- To get a leg up on the school preparations, check out Scentsy’s Back-to-School 6-Bar Bundle, featuring fragrances that will help your home unwind, or the Counter Clean Bundle to help you tackle after-school messes.
![Just Breathe scented Scentsy body products sitting on a wooden plate with greenery, eucalyptus and lemons scattered around.](https://scentsyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8.10-Blog-BackToSchool-6-ParentsSurvivalKit-1024x576.jpg)
How do you ease the back-to-school transition? Share your top tips in the comments. Remember to ask your Scentsy Consultant about fragrant luxuries. Don’t have a Consultant? Find one here.