Parents across Australia are busy ironing, prepping and packing to ease the inevitable stress that comes with the start of a new school year.
And while there are some who are perfectly organised, others are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed at their ever-growing to-do lists.
Thankfully, many clever parents have come together on Pinterest to share some of their top back to school tips and tricks guaranteed to make the school year a breeze.
From freezer-friendly lunchbox items to homework stations, here FEMAIL looks at some of the most popular ideas on the platform so far.
Many clever parents have come together on Pinterest to share some of their top back to school tips and tricks guaranteed to make the school year a breeze
PERFECT ORGANISATION
With saves for the term ‘school organisation’ up by 50 per cent over the past six months, it’s clear many weary caregivers have been clicking online for a little extra inspiration.
And they’re in luck, with hundreds of ideas for organised locker spaces, routine cards and school work storage flooding Pinterest recently.
One mother managed to create a locker space in the home for her four kids complete with four small whiteboards and a drawer for dirty lunchboxes or clothing that she claims prevents nasty surprises festering away in school bags.
Homework storage ideas like DIY filing systems (pictured) and colour coded labels have been shared to help prevent any last minute lost papers, frantic searches and household arguments
Others have shared printable morning and afternoon routine cards, chore charts and bedtime routine cards to help children stay accountable for their own jobs and organisation each day
‘No more searching for the ballet slippers just before class, or lost homework, or the football jersey before practice,’ she said.
Others have shared printable morning and afternoon routine cards, chore charts and bedtime routine cards to help children stay accountable for their own jobs and organisation each day.
Homework storage ideas like DIY filing systems and colour coded labels have also been shared to help prevent any last minute lost papers, frantic searches and household arguments.
One mother managed to create a locker space in the home for her four kids complete with four small whiteboards and a drawer for dirty lunchboxes or clothing
HOMEWORK HACKS
As children get older, their homework load increases and it can be overwhelming for both the kids and their parents to stay on top of what needs to be done and when.
Thankfully, many parents have shown how they cope with the increasing workload – from homemade whiteboards and stationery drawers to beautifully designed homework stations with artworks, pastel furnishings and notice boards.
Australian designer Steph Bond, the founder of Bondville, shared a snap of the simple and movable homework station she created for her daughter.
Australian designer Steph Bond, the founder of Bondville, shared this snap of the simple and movable homework station she created for her daughter
‘My seven-year-old daughter has been begging for her very own study desk where she can work on her homework in peace (when the kitchen counter becomes too hectic), keep her stationery organised, and work on art and craft,’ she said.
‘By attaching the book shelves (IKEA spice racks) to the pegboard, we can move all the components around as her needs change. This study is currently set up in a living area, but we can easily move it to her bedroom or another space when she wants more privacy.’
Parents have also shared a number of ideas for book covering including using brown kraft paper to cover books without scissors, tape or contact and DIY covers using only Washi Tape.
Rather than struggle with using contact to cover school books, mother Ash Jackson got crafty with linen and a sewing machine to create these stylish book covers
One parent also shared this book covering idea where they used brown kraft paper to cover books without scissors, tape or contact
‘I have actually covered all of my books in a linen cloth,’ Australian YouTuber – and mother-of-two – Ash Jackson said.
Ash outlined how she had been able to buy a couple of metres of the cloth cheaply during a sale, and used a double-sided heat and bond paper to adhere the fabric to the books.
In a bid to keep the them looking as nice as possible, Ash said she used her mother’s sewing machine to trim the edges, and finished these with gold-foiled name labels.
The result: Very stylish and affordable book covers that cost just over a dollar each.
Some parents make up homemade white boards to help their children visually see what they need to do and when
DELICIOUS (AND PRACTICAL) LUNCHES
Parents have also shared snaps of their go-to school lunches that are handy for both the time poor and those who are struggling to think of easy and nutritious options.
Budget-friendly and healthy treats like banana oat bread, quiches and colourful fruit and vegetable creations are a hit with parents, along with freezer-friendly options.
Kidgredients put together a list of the best freezer friendly lunchbox items that will save time throughout the week if planned out on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.
Some of the top foods include cacao and coconut bliss balls, mini pizzas, muesli bars, savoury mini muffins, healthy homemade LCM bars and chocolate and zucchini cupcakes.
Parents have also shared snaps of their go-to school lunches that are handy for both the time poor and those who are struggling to think of easy and nutritious options
Kidgredients put together a list of the best freezer friendly lunchbox items (pictured) that will save time throughout the week if planned out on a relaxed Sunday afternoon
‘This recipe is so loved it got a makeover last year to give it some new photos! The kids adore these chocolate cupcakes, no-one even notices the zucchini,’ founder Kylie wrote.
Of course, bento boxes have never been so popular and it’s never been easier to look up some creative and fun bento ideas for the kids.
Little Bento World founder, Yvette Bowyer, said that while the creations do in fact look modern and fancy, all you need is ‘a good lunchbox, food and a little imagination’.
Katrina said the key to preparing a bento lunchbox in less than five minutes is to bulk bake and freeze savoury and sweet items, prepare and cut fruit and vegetables on a Sunday night and pack leftovers into lunchboxes after dinner.
‘Dip apples in citrus juice or soda water to keep from going brown. Hard boiled eggs in molds keep for up to 5 days in the fridge,’ she said.
‘Dip apples in citrus juice or soda water to keep from going brown. Hard boiled eggs in molds keep for up to 5 days in the fridge,’ Little Bento World founder, Yvette Bowyer, said
Two handy tips to remember for the first day of school
Iron and stick on labels
Most parents will be aware that if your child is starting school, or heading back, everything needs to be labelled.
Ash said the superstore was also a great place to buy inexpensive labels, and another popular parenting blogger, Mel Watts, shared how she used Aldi for her school labelling supplies.
Mel offered this advice to parents preparing for the year ahead: ‘Don’t put their name on the front of their bag. This allows strangers to call them by their name which will give them the sense they know this person.’
She continued: ‘Label inside the bag with iron-on labels and allow your children to pick one or two keyrings to attach to their bag so it can be easily identified.’
Don’t label kids bags with their names showing on the outside because if a stranger calls them they may think they know the person, advises parenting blogger Mel Watts (pictured: one of her kids)
Have a car caddy
While using car caddies aren’t a new idea per se, using a car caddy to keep things organised on school runs can make life so much easier, Ash Jackson explained.
‘Over the last year, we’ve done so much travelling to and from school, as well as afternoon activities.
She said the three things she always had to have had to have in the car at all times were drinks, snacks, and an all-important notes folder.
‘I know most schools these days have online portals and email communications, and even Facebook pages, every now and then we still get the odd note.
Instead of trying to keep track of these at home, the canny mum said she simply slips the note into a clear folder and keeps it easily accessible.
‘You know you are going to have the notes with you at all times and avoid any last minute panic overdue dates, birthdays parties, P & F meeting.
She concluded, ‘Or miss that gold coin donation you didn’t realise was due.’