The start of a new school year always seems to arrive in a rush, but a little planning can make the experience smoother and less stressful for the whole family. By spreading out tasks, you save time and money, and you’ll enjoy the end of the holidays instead of running around the shops in a rush.
Parents Share Their Planning Tips
We asked local parents to share their tips for getting a head start during the holidays.
For some, getting organised early begins with uniforms.
“I organise school uniforms for the next size up during the six months before the end of the school year,” Melissa said. “This gives me time to shop for second-hand items and spread the cost, rather than buying everything new in January in a stress.”
Shoes are another big-ticket item parents can tackle ahead of time.
“I buy shoes in early December and make sure they can be swapped if the kids have a growth spurt,” Erica said. “It saves that last-minute shopping and means we don’t have to wait in the back-to-school queues.”
Books and stationery can be ticked off before the holidays even begin.
“Our school sends us the book list in November,” Sarah said. “I order ours straight away, so everything arrives in a box before the holidays finish. It’s one less thing on my to-do list.”
Labelling books early is another of Sarah’s time-savers.
“I order sticky name labels online during the last term so I can start labelling whenever I find time and do it bit by bit,” she said.
Others focus on lunchboxes and everyday gear.
“I replace drink bottles and lunchboxes in December, to make the most of Christmas offers,” Priya said.
Nicole said she buys school bags early and shops around, especially for items like laptop bags, which can be expensive.
“Last year, I got a store to price match and discount a bit extra – it all helps,” she said.
Dave also shared his tip for saving money.
“Black Friday is great for big tech items like laptops, iPads and software, so shopping early can really pay off with those sorts of things,” he said.
By planning what you need in advance and spreading out the cost, you can get organised early and enjoy a relaxed end to the summer holidays.
“We usually travel in January, so getting everything ready early means we don’t spend our final days off lining up at the shops,” Melanie said.
With some forward planning, these parents prove it’s possible to swap last-minute panic for a stress-free, relaxed end to the school holidays.
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