Back-to-School: 5 Essential Tips for Parents This Term

There are two kinds of parents during the long holiday. The first are the organised ones who already bought uniforms in July and sorted out school shoes weeks ago. Then there are the rest of us.

We keep saying, “There’s still time,” until the school’s PTA WhatsApp group suddenly comes alive with the words, “Dear Parents, this is a gentle reminder that resumption is next Monday…”

That’s when the panic starts. Suddenly, you realise your child has outgrown last term’s uniform, their black school shoes no longer fit, and to make matters worse, they casually remember they need a new mathematical set, five 60-leaf exercise books, and that special drawing pen they’ll need for the new school term. 

If this sounds like your house right now, you are definitely not alone. Here are five simple things you can do to avoid the usual resumption rush and make those first few mornings a little less stressful. 

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is waiting until the final week before resumption. By then, bookshops and markets are packed with parents trying to get everything they need, and you’re wondering why you didn’t start a week earlier. Make a list now and buy what you can gradually. Even if you’re waiting for your salary to be…