How To Get The Kids Back to School- Without Losing Your Mind

Ah, the Aussie summer holidays—a glorious time of beach days, backyard cricket, and kids who’ve forgotten what a bedtime is. But as we move into late January, reality hits: school is just around the corner. It’s time to swap sand between the toes for socks in the laundry and get ready for the chaos of back-to-school prep. Here’s a guide to getting everyone organised (or at least semi-functional) for the school year ahead.

Dust Off the Uniforms (Literally)

Remember those uniforms you shoved into a cupboard at the start of December? Yeah, it’s time to dig them out and check if they still fit. Spoiler alert: they probably don’t. Kids have a knack for growing at warp speed over the summer holidays.  If the uniforms are a bit snug, don’t panic. Plenty of parents are discovering the same thing and about to pop them on buy swap and sell or Facebook Marketplace so all good.

The Great Stationery Hunt

There’s something magical about a brand-new pencil case... until it gets stuffed with random crayon stubs and pencil shavings by Week 2. But for now, enjoy the fresh start and take your kids to pick out their stationery.  Realistically you’ll start with good intentions, but somehow end up with a trolley full of glitter pens, novelty erasers, and a ruler shaped like a dinosaur. And no, your child doesn’t need a $15 notebook with holographic unicorns. Stand your ground.

Reclaim the Routine (Good Luck)

After weeks of late nights and sleep-ins, getting back into a school routine can feel like training for a marathon. Start easing the kids back into earlier bedtimes a week before school starts – if you can convince them. Hot Tip: Prep lunches, uniforms, and bags the night before. Or at least try. If all else fails, remember: A vegemite sandwich and a banana is a perfectly acceptable lunch option.

Label Everything (Or Say Goodbye to It)

From hats to lunchboxes, if it’s not nailed down, it’s getting lost. Invest in a stash of name labels and slap them on everything your kid takes to school. Fair Warning: Even with labels, items will still vanish into the black hole that is the school lost property bin. Consider it a rite of passage.

Take a Breath (And Remember: You’ve Got This)

The start of the school year can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a fresh start for the whole family. Embrace the chaos and remind yourself that no one has it all together (no matter how perfect they look on Instagram).

Here’s to surviving the school drop-offs, navigating endless forms, and celebrating the small wins—like actually finding both shoes on the first day. Go get em’ tiger, 2025 is going to be the best one yet!