Back to School Contest!
Back when many of us were gearing up to go back to school, the shopping list was filled with notebooks (the kind without a battery), pens (not a stylus), and a few dozen pencils (the old-school #2 kind that required manual sharpening). Today, back to school means picking up extra shifts at work to pay for new computers, cameras, smart-phones, e-readers, and tablets. Lovable Labels wants to relieve some of that burden so we are selecting 20 lucky winners!
- 10 Lucky Winners will each receive $50.00 CASH
- 10 Lucky Winners will each receive our best-selling “Back to School Mega Pack” (value $44.95 each)
After a summer of broken bedtime routines, no homework and those lazy-hazy days of lying on the beach how do you transition from summer to school? Give us your best tip and you could be a winner!
TO ENTER THE CONTEST:
1. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE: (If you are not already a subscriber). We’ll be announcing the winner in a special edition newsletter, so if you want to find out who won, you’ll need to receive it in order to claim your prize!
2. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW and give us your best back to school tip. Please leave your name and email address in the comment. Please note: you’ll only be allowed to win once and multiple comments on a single post will not increase your chances of winning.
The deadline for this fabulous giveaway is August 15th, 2012 at 11:55 P.M. EST. Winners will be randomly selected and announced in a special edition newsletter on August 20th, so make sure you have signed up!
For full details on this contest please read the Rules & Regulations
Love this contest? Make sure to be part of our Facebook family where we draw weekly for a “Fan of the Week” to win a special prize pack of personalized labels. All you have to do is “like” us and you will be automatically entered!
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Comments
I make loveable labels part of my back to school supplies when ever they have a break from school, mostly at summer and Christmas. When we get everything together that the boys need, part of the process is sticking a label on everything. No lost shoes, gloves, water bottles, etc. They are wonderful, and are hard to destroy. They survive the torture my kids dish out.
Make sure to buy extras of everything on the school supply list while it’s on sale. Their supplies need to be restocked around the new year.
Jennifer S.
Jennifer@mom2zqb.com
If my kids need to have an extra set of clothes at school, I label each article of clothing, put it in a large clear ziploc bag and label the front of the bag again. All done with Lovable Labels!
I re-establish bedtime routines a week or so before school starts, to get everyone back into the regular sleeping schedule.. I find it helps immensely that first week of school!
Best back to school tip….start preparing early….set bedtimes earlier and start waking up earlier a couple weeks a head of time….
Label stuff for school at your own pace before school starts up again – Wouldn’t want to be labeling all night the night before school starts!
I love Lovable Labels, and so do my daughters. Keeping track of belongings is so easy with Lovable Labels.
I have 2 tips 
First if your child has allergies, or medical concerns labels and wristbands are a great way to let teachers and lunch monitors know or remind them.
Second if you have a child starting kindergarten, and they are nervous the story “The kissing Hand” by: Audrey Penn is great!!
My tip is to check with the school/teacher to see what materials a child will need. Plus, see if they need volunteers.
My best back to school tip is don’t wait until the last minute to start shopping for things like backpacks and pencil cases or the stores start to run out of items with the most popular licensed characters on them and your little ones may end up disappointed on their 1st day back to school.
My tip is to buy good high quality bookbags especially if you have boys. We have had to replace bookbags in the middle of the year multiple times because we went for the cheap ones. The last school year alone my 3 boys went through 7 book bags. My daughters are much easier on them.
Be prepared!
Meccah Griffin
mdg93083@Yahoo.com
Label every sweater, fleece top, jacket, hat, snow gear, and each glove individually when you bring them home from the store with a Loveable Label. It saves precious time that first cold morning as you gear up your child to send him or her out the door to school, and hope he/she doesn’t loose the expensive gear at school!
I watch the store ads till the back to school sales start up, then I buy in bulk for pens and notebooks, when they are dirt cheap. Then the pens and notebooks last the entire school year. I also watch the Office Max deals, with their rewards program I am able to end up with free backpacks for my children =)
As a teacher, and a parent, it is so important to purchase school supplies early. The sales are awesome. PLEASE purchase an extra set of supplies for home too. Last year I had so many kids return their homework ‘undone’ because they didn’t have the scissors, crayons, or even a pencil at home to complete their assignments. I also stock up on extras for the classroom too.
Measure everything ! For example I bought some storage boxes for my classroom shelves since they were soooo cheap but they were too big! Some stores limit the number of items you can buy but if you show them your teacher ID they will let you buy more for your classroom (Office Max and Target)!
Hmm.. I always take an inventory of what I already have so that I don’t waste money rebuying supplies I already have.
As you pack up your classroom declutter your room as you go and box things up and label with the location where they are stored. this will make setting your room back up a breeze and one less thing to stress over in august.
If your little one is starting his/her first day of school this september like mine, there is lots to do to get them prepared. Bed time routines are crucial as well as encouraging them to do as much as they can on their own so they are prepared to be more independant when they start school (ie. eating and getting dressed by themselves) So Excited!!
About a week before the beginning of school, start a routine where children are going to bed earlier, especially if they have been staying up later over the summer holidays.
So many great tips(Thanks everyone!!), some I already do & many more I will be using come Sept! Here’s mine — get into the routine of setting things up the night before, especially their clothes…it’s a HUGE time saver. We also plan lunch menus (we play restaurant). Have the kids pick out what they want in their lunches & they can also help prepare it too (the night before!). Remember to label their lunchbags, reusable containers & waterbottles too!
Carrie — noade@sympatico.ca
Being prepared is the number one thing to do.
The other thing is to buy enough supplies, big enough backpack and have routines in order about 2 weeks before school starts.
We attend three weeks of summer school to start the summer. Then, every day we try to have our 5 year old daughter complete at least one page of school-type work. (Cutting, coloring, tracing shapes, etc.) We talk about school a lot too to keep her interested and excited and we purchase little supplies here and there throughout the summer too. In the middle of August, we begin to get the bedtime routine in place. This will be her first time at school. We’re nervous!
Let your child help pick out the supplies you buy and buy them throughout the summer instead of waiting until right before school starts. Then, you don’t have such an overwhelming bill. And of course, label everything.
I like to prepare a week schedule for Lunches & Snacks, so much easier then trying to figure it out that morning.
With a child with food allergies, I label everything! so it is less likely that he would pick someone elses drink up or food containers. I have the Stop Food Allergy label on is food bag, so if anyone is helping him with his lunch they are fully aware.
Keep the kids reading all through summer. Let them pick out some of their new school supplies to get them excited about going back to school.
Set the alarm clock earlier (and start going to bed earlier) starting a week before school. It is not fun, but helps ease the transition!
Kristin Cappelli
mom2larry@comcast.net
I have a list that I make early and buy the supplies on sale, especially in October when they are on sale. Every year they end up needing another binder (1st one breaks) rreplacement pensil crayons, pencils, etc. I also buy new lunch bags every year to start fresh – and clean!
My daughter is starting JK in September but was in preschool this past year. It’s really pushed me to be organized. My tip is to keep a calendar and write down events and appointments to help keep up with what is going on the days and weeks ahead. Pack bags and get outfits ready the night before so the mornings run smoother. Getting the child involved in packing their bag and picking out their outfits at night also gets them excited about the next day and will make them more eager to go.
oops my email address is octobereight@gmail.com
Do a few practice runs the week before to make sure that everyone is on time and have everything that they need before the “Big Day”.
Forgot to include in the above comment
Krista P.
mottkris@hotmail.com
Maybe I needed a practice email 
Budget out the flashy brand name stuff that’s more about showing off, and budget in the stuff that’s more practical and valuable.
Get the clothes ready the night before, the first day. Get the batteries charged in the camera and for first time off to school moms, the kleenex!
martha F
have everything organized and ready to go mid August, the last week of August we get back to bedtime routines.
Start to shop early and have lunches/snacks planned ahead
Jillian
pretty_girl_29@hotmail.com
My biggest tip for all the parents who are sending their children to their first year of school is make sure you send them with lunch containers they can open themselves….even if you have to practice with them during the summer, they dont always get the help they need and you dont want them going hungry because they cant open a container…the best ones Ive found are the ones that snap open on all four sides…easy to open and close
Label everything! Young kids often forget stuff, and teachers don’t always know what belongs to which kid. Label lids and containers in case they get separated – we have far more containers than lids now! Label cutlery as well.
kmfhee at gmail dot com
Every sunday, during the school year, my daughter and I pick out 5 outfits for her for the week. I hang all the pieces together, and every morning she can choose something to wear from the 5. It sounds silly, but this saves so much time and wardrobe drama when we need to get out of the house quickly in the morning.
Libby
elizabethgrice@sbcglobal.net
I like to order the name bracelets and put my daughters name, teacher’s name & daycare… and that way when they leave for “adventures” she can wear one and will know where she belongs if she ever gets lost. For the older daughter I label EVERYTHING… every pencil, marker, sweater. that way I know everything is coming home with her.
Set everything out the night before to avoid the morning rush (or panic!) – clothes, lunch, planner, backpack, etc!
Erin
em_hoy@hotmail.com
Would love to win this! Cash is always usable of course and I certainly love the many options for labels and organization you provide!
Laura – lchew8@sympatico.ca
My best BTS tip is to buy quality backpacks and lunchboxes from places like LL Bean. The lifetime guarantees mean that when they inevitably get damaged, we get a free replacement. Can’t get that from Wal-Mart!
I enjoy using the loveable labels so nothing is lost or stolen. Summer & christmas is a good time to take a break, love hanging things from backpack too!!!!
check your local paper for the list of supplies for each grade, and shop with it, it makes life a lot easier
The night before have the clothes picked out, bookbags ready, lunches prepared, and also know what you are having for breakfast. My kids usually have to eat a snack in the car because we haven’t been prepared. We will try to be better!
I always shop early, and when I find the .01 cent deals, I purchase as many as possible. You know you will need some for school, some for home, some for next year….
Branda
michaelandbranda@bellsouth.net
Many tips to get ready for school!
1. Organize yourself! Write lists/to do in order you don’t forget anything.
2. Shop early to avoid last minute rushes.
3. Organize early purchases in one spot – either a box or cubby or drawer so you can do inventory if needed.
4. Buy labels so you can easily label your children’s clothes/back packs/shoes instead of messy writing all over the place!
Get the kids involved in getting ready for going back to school. I find they are more excited about going back if they are part of the process.
Get homework done FIRST BEFORE any play or TV time … Get your little ones to bed EARLY … organize everything INCLUDING lunches – clothes – anything special requested by the teacher the NITE BEFORE ….
Get up earlier – have the kids organized — and GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME .. I drive mine – give yourself a little extra time incase of any unexpected delays …..
And the best Tip — LABEL EVERYTHING !!!!!!! — I love lovable labels – they are the best – they stick to everything — ((and they STICK)) … The chances of school items clothes getting lost is MINIMAL … I live my LABELS !!!! ….
Label it!! Make your time and the teacher’s time a bit easier by labeling all your children’s belonging right down to their socks and shoes! Teachers love the personalized stationary with their names on it too, great teachers gift, the school house it perfect! Label you in September!
I have 4 kids that range from the age of 17 yrs down to the 21 mth old and they are all boys. The best back to school tip I could give would be to make sure each kid has there own color and design of labels and that you shop with each kid seperately as not to drive you crazy. I start in July with the two oldest kids that are in school and then shop for the other two that are in preschool in august. It makes it easier on the wallet and less stressful.
Forgot to leave my email address
cooperjennifers@hotmail.com
For those going to all-day kindergarten for the first time, pack the full lunch/snacks/drink lunch bag and let the child practice. Tell your child you will inform her when snack or lunch time is but allow her to manage everything else herself, including the cleaning up and repacking. Both you and the child will be much more confident on the first day.
I always buy extras of school supplies while they are on sale. That way, when things are worn out in the middle of the year, I always have replacements!
Michele Thompson
michelekthompson@gmail.com
I prepare folders for each school month for each child. I file all papers/homework/artword when I receive them. It makes it easier to stay organized throughout the year and easier to put things away at the end of a school year. I take all of the folders and put them into a bankers box.
Great comments everyone…I am taking notes! For our back to school routine, we always label everything, start going to bed early, practice our morning routines a few weeks before. I like to leave notes or jokes in a napkin in my son’s lunch so I collect fun ones on restaurant kids menus, internet, etc. so they are easy to remember. This small gesture reminds him that we are thinking of him through the day and hopefully puts a smile on his face. His school is a latex free environment so many school supplies are provided by the school but we love your labels because they are safe, individualized, durable and fun. I hope you all have a safe and happy back-to-school!
The school supply list for the next year is sent home in June. I carry this list with me and pick up supplies as I see them on sale. I keep a shoe box in the closet labelled “School Supplies” to keep extra supplies on hand for replenishing.
Label everything – shoes, water bottles, lunch kits and snack containers, backpacks, all school supplies (pencils, pen, glue, etc). Have fun over the summer and get out and play with your child!
I always make my lunches the night before and put them in the freezer (and fridge for the fresh produce)…by the time lunch rolls around the sandwich is thawed out and the juicebox acts like an ice pack! Saves so much time!
Grandmas…send your grandbabies back to school with the coolest lables out there, buy a back to school kit like I did!
I think kids should be excited about school so I include him in back to school prep and shopping but most important they need confidence at school so I take him the week before when school has opened and walk through to find new classroom and orient him to where bathroom etc is from that classroom.
Watch the weekly flyers for sales, and keep your receipts. You never know when you can save more money by getting price adjustments – makes a big difference if you are buying lots of notebooks and more expensive items.
I buy lots of extra markers, pencil crayons, glue sticks, rulers, pencil sharpeners, and pencils at back to school prices and then replenish throughout the year. All of those items go up in price after the back to school rush.
Label Everything, and try to make everything in their lunch heathly! You can’t be there to say eat your Cucumber before you eat that Choc Pudding!!!! Make it all good for them!!!
Christie
christiefreemark@hotmail.com
Label, label, label.
Start the early bedtime routine a few days before school starts. I usually try to push it up by 15 minutes every day until we get to the ideal “bedtime”. This way, its a gradual adjustment.
Jessica
Periwinkbluejp@yahoo.ca
I get help from my kids to pack lunches they will actually eat!
Monica J
Mwyman75@hotmail.com
If the school is new for your child, take her/him to the school playground throughout the summer to get her/him acquainted with the school area! Especially when they are getting ready to go into Kindergarten.
paula@sunflowerboutique.com
The best tip is to prepare early.
label everything you know they will need for the school year at least 2 weeks before school starts to avoid the frustration and chaos especially if you have more than 1 kid.
Take lots of photos, they grow up so quickly! (and remember to label the back to remind you when it was taken even though you think you could never forget)!
We LOVE Lovable Labels!
Instead of just having my children’s name on a set of labels, I now also order labels with just our home phone number on them. For the clothing labels, I’ve also just put my kids initials and home phone number on a label.
It’s amazing how many times, lost items actually made it back home since I started including the phone number on the labels.
Save money by buying full size yogurt containers on sale and then spoon into smaller “single serving” size containers (from Dollarama) and place in the freezer. When making school lunches place the frozen single serving size container in their lunchbox still frozen then when they go to eat it a few hours later it is still cold and solid, as oppose to warm and runny. This idea is also great with fruit…i buy large bags of frozen berries or the tropical frozen fruit mix and when making lunches i pour the frozen fruit into a smaller single serving container and then i place the container in their lunchbox. The fruit thaws during the morning and by lunch it’s ready to eat. My daughter’s favorite is the frozen pineapple (from the tropical fruit mix) and she says it tastes great after it thaws out. And of course all of my Dollarama single serving lunch containers are labeled with Lovable Labels! Also, these ideas create a litterless lunch that most schools are encouraging students to bring.
I submitted my comment but i don’t see it on the list above….is there is a delay before the posting shows up on the comment list? Can someone let me know….i don’t want to double submit my comment….thanks….Email:dulcineia@cogeco.ca
My favourite tip for back to school is the 2-sided lunch bags. It helps young children manage the food for their 2 breaks. Of course I label everything too!
Start shopping early (supplies, clothes etc.). Enforce the bedtime two weeks before school starts. Label all your belongings : )
Wow, wonderful comments. Here’s my tip for back to school – Continue to read with your kids over the summer – even if you don’t practice anything else, READ-READ-READ. Refresh your book collections often or create a book swap with other families so that the kids don’t get bored with their choices. And HAVE FUN!
Love the PAK-IT for summer camp…wish they had a snap with the Velcro so it does come loose. Regardless…I keep the labels in the kitchen next to the mud room so I can easily peel and stick…love labels…
I like to get books about back to school and start reading them at night time to get them excited for school!!
My #1 tip is talking about safety and making good decisions before school starts! So many accidents happen by carelessness and a lot of parents don’t think of addressing it until something bad happens. Simple things like looking before crossing the road, don’t talk to strangers, be kind to others (no bullying!!), no running through the halls, etc. My mom was a teacher and we got this talk every year. Now my kids get it
Oh! And hand sanitizer!! My kids each have a bottle in their backpack. Stay away germs!
My tip is this: When you take your kids school supply shopping each year, buy one more of everything, including a backpack, and donate it to a child in need. There are many charities around the country who organize these donation drives each summer for young kids in need, so they too can start the year proudly with a nice new backpack full of their own school supplies (search online under “operation backpack” to find one near you, or start your own drive!). It’s a great way to teach your kids to think about giving back every time they get to buy new things.
These are way better than sharpies and much more fun!!
Lori Kramer
tavernlori@mchsi.com
Every Mom is strapped for time and making lunches every night can be very time consuming and something that cannot be avoided for obvious reasons
What I started doing last school year was making 2 lunches/snacks at a time so it freed up some nights.
For example :
1. Sunday night I would make/pack Monday/Tuesday snacks/lunches and put in fridge – leaving Monday night “free”
2. Tuesday night I would make/pack Wednesday/Thursday snacks/lunches and put in fridge – - leaving Wednesday night “free”
…and bonus was that Fridays were pizza days so all I had to do was toss in some snacks for the day.
Its a system that worked really well and I plan to continue into the upcoming school years too. Happy planning.
Buying early and finding a place for things before school begins is a great way to begin an organized routine. Sharing the task of attaching labels to personal items is a good reminder for kids to take care of their coats, backpacks, lunch bags, sweaters…
I ALWAYS am on the lookout for school supplies on sale THROUGHOUT the year. Also, teacher/classroom items that they need through the year likes sanitation wipes, Kleenex, glue sticks, paper products, dry erase markers, etc..
I also watch out for sale/inexpensive boxes of children’s note cards to give the teachers so they can use for special notes or kudos for the children. Also packs of stickers, small gifts for the “treasure box” and other fun small “treats” for the children.
Love these labels. I just received my 2nd shipment. They are so handy. I label everything that goes to school.
Let the kids enjoy their summer, but start getting back into the night time and reading routine about a month and a half before school starts. Pack lunches and get clothes ready at night. Let them pick out what color school supplies they want so they are more involved. Label everything.
Start buying supplies early and getting everything ready. Make sure you have a spot designated as homework center, hooks for Book bags and spots for folders. When the kids come home they start the habit of emptying book bags and putting things in correct spots.
Price match everything to avoid multiple trips….and don’t go more than once with the kids – every time they will change their mind about which backpack, lunch bag and pencil case they want.
Whoops -= Sandra Schultz nutritionbites@hotmail.com (entry above).
My 3 year old will be entering preschool in a month and there’s one tip that my mommy friends and the school have been telling me. LABEL EVERYTHING! I hope I am lucky in this contest!
My best back to school tip is to start watching for the first ‘back to school sales’ flyers. To get the best selections, shop when the sales are good and the inventory is plentiful.
Kerry – kwarnaar2@gmail.com
START EARLY & don’t go short…I order Loveable Labels every Summer as there’s always need for labels on everything!!!Summer camps to school…Start early and enjoy the holidays.
though i’m not a parent, i’m a much older sister and i’ve been the one to get the kids ready.
i usually buy supplies year-round when they’re on sale and keep them stocked in a storage bin with drawers that are all labelled (ie: paper, pencils, crayons, etc) and generally try to maintain an organised list of everything. everything gets labelled on an as-needed basis for each child.
I remember being dragged to the store with the official school list of “to have” things. Ruler, exercise note books, erasers, Elmers glue..etc. Basically a load not possible to be lifted by any small child or in one bag. Being scrubbed clean after a summer of blatant frivolity and numerous dirt piles, dressed in my finest, hair “Brillcreamed” down and a full lecture on behaviour, manners, punctuality and “noses to grindstones”. Armed with a burden in a bag and sandwich in a paper bag, I was sent yet another year in to the Gulags of higher learning….good times.
I love these labels. Been using them for years for all my child’s clothing labels, camp gear, school supplies and anything else I can stick it on to indentify her stuff. Right after the last day of school, I watch for those great sales in either Staples or Office Max, etc. I take her supply list and buy every single item (and extras depending on the price)in one order, inexpensive, I get the free shipping and have it shipped to my home. That way, I am not traveling from store to store trying to find everything, spending time, money and gasoline. I have everything for the new school year packed and ready within a week and still have another 8-weeks to enjoy the summer.
I am a Kindergarten teacher and you would not believe the things that children lose at school! At our house, we label everything that goes to school!!
Plan meals the weekend before, so that I know what to pack in my child’s lunchbox. If possible, I like to pack it the night before so that I’m not rushing in the morning (well, rushing more than usual!)
I always print off the following year’s supply list so that when the school supplies go on sale in Sept I can pick up some of the stuff for next year. The lists change depending on the teacher at our school but you really can’t go wrong with pencils and duo tangs on sale!
To help my (four kids) determine their left foot from their right foot growing up…I have only put one Loveable Labels stickers in the left shoe. This way, my children know that that shoe goes on the left foot. It has worked so far
We also have a different last name, so I have the labels with the last name only so that I can order tons and all my kids know what stuff is theirs (as well as the other kids in the school etc).
Definitely start shopping early – and don’t forget to label everything… no point losing the stuff you JUST bought!
Look out for sales throughout the summer. Don’t wait until the end to buy everything when it is all sold out or not what you want.
Best Back to School tip: Start early!! Shop early & label items. Start sending them to bed early, esp if they’re up late since it’s summer. Start having the kids pick out stuff for lunches. My son is very picky, so rather than wait til morning, I have him pick out stuff the night before. Good Luck to all the parents out there in prepping for Back to School and then some!
Involve the wee ones in picking out their supplies a little at a time over the course of the summer. Have a regular bedtime & morning routine well before school starts. And, of course, label EVERYTHING Corrina
I have been using the labels for about 5 years now. I have two girls and they have the same initials. This makes life allot easier. The only thing is that the girls need to agree on the same color and design. As they get older, their taste is starting to change. It would be nice to be able to have two choices in one package. I tell every one about the labels. Thank you. Tammy
start the school routine early dont wait till the last week to start getting them back into the routine of getting ready for school….it will be a flop…lol you learn after three kids….and get everything ready the night before….then they can get up wash up and brush teeth and then get ready and relax before going to school….thanks for this awesome opportunity…thnks greeneyesamytolley@aol.com Amy Tolley
I signed up to get your newsletters also
You can never be too prepared-buy and label what you need to-check out what the teacher is requesting and donate things you won’t need old crayons, markers,paper etc. Try and put everything together for 1st day and or have ready by the open house to meet your teacher.
Kids are in a hurry these days so I suggest to the ones I know to make a list or put a picture on the front of their backpack to remind them what should be inside to go home. For example, draw a picture of a lunchbox, coat etc on the front of the back pack as a reminder to make sure it is inside the bag
Start getting your children used to their new school schedule two weeks early — get them to bed early and wake them early — so they are used to it when school starts!
kcoud33 at gmail dot com
Sorry Laura. I was busy copy pasting sign up for newsletter that I forgot to add my comment. please delete last entry
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I got my kids on a early bedtime for a week before and as they get older depending on the child I lessen the days to maybe a few days before
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Find some time now during the summer to buy all the needed school supplies and remember to order your lovable labels!
Life will be much calmer for you during those back-to-school days when you could avoid being in those chaotic stores!
Keep up with reading and writing through the summer. Make it fun so the children start fresh back to school.
Label everything with Lovable labels to avoid lost new items.
Start planning early for what your kids will need and pick up a few things each week. It’ll make it less work and spread out the cost too!
Love your Lovable Labels. Have seen so many other similar labels but definitely get a cuter, better value with Lovable Labels!
involve your kids in choosing their back to school supplies. Little choices can lead to big excitement for little ones.
Save money and reuse: Instead of a new backpack help your children redecorate their old one. With a little bit of imagination it’s amazing what can be done to spruce up an old backpack. First tie-die the back pack. Next sew fabric on the straps of the backpack. Then use Sharpie paint Markers to decorate. Next use the iron on labels from Loveable Lables for the front. On the zipper add a zipper pull with their name.
You can also decorate last years supplies with fun stickies. Because you get 40 of these labels you can personalize everything from the binder your child takes to school to their laptop, mouse, water bottle etc creating their own unique style.
Create a back to school book to get your kindergarden ready. Helps to ease the anxiety and what to expect on their first day!
I like to shop around for school supplies as early as I can so I do not have to go crazy not finding what they need on the last days before school starts(we have 4 kids) and I try to let them pick some of the colors or designs , it seems that this way they enjoy the trip to the store a bit more.Also we try labeling as early as possible and about 2 weeks before school starts we gradually go to sleep a little earlier every day;makes it easier to wake up on the first school day!Also shop around for supplies (just look at the adds) and go to walmart or target they price match and you don’t have to make a dozen trips !
Compare ads. Great sales at multiple stores!
-Danielle
dcarosie@hotmail.com
My children are 5 & 6 (13 months apart in age). To help make the back to school jitters go away, we invite friends from school to come for a back to school playdate and at the schools open house we visit several classrooms so that each child knows the other childs teacher & classroom. Just having the knowledge that her big brother is just down the hallway at school makes my daughter feel secure.:)
My best back to school tip is to have everything laid out the night before so you aren’t rushing in the morning!
A good back to school tip would to start going to bed early a few days before school starts so I can feel rested and ready to start my day at school.
I gave my best tip today to a boy I watch during the summer. His school starts back next week and he is having to repeat Kindergarten. He told me this morning that he did not want to go back to school because he is having to repeat. I just re-assured him that this school year was going to better and that he has matured and will already know how to do some of the activities already. I also reminded him that he will already know how to get to the cafeteria, library etc. and that he can help others find those places too!
If your child is just starting school for the first time, take them to the school for a visit before the official start of the school year. Spend a bit of time exploring the grounds, the way to get in, the classroom, bathrooms etc. This will get your child excited and make them feel secure about where they will be every day.
I love “lovable labels.” I put them on my girls’ backpacks, lunch pails, jackets, sweatshirts, etc…they are GREAT and last!!!
Prep the backpack and lunch items the night before.
Stephanie Skretkowski
stephskret@cogeco.ca
My daughter and I have finished her back to school shopping and just received her new labels. She is excited about putting the labels on herself. I think this is great because it gets her excited about back to school and makes her familiar with all her new school items.
Start doubling recipes that you make in August and fill your own freezer. Those extra meals are a life saver on those busy weeks in September.
Make sure when purchasing clothing, take your child with you do you know if he/she can operate the clothing on their own – especially shoes, boots and jackets.
Go through all the old backpacks and pencil cases before shopping. I always find things that can be reused. Also, label everything. At least that way you have a chance of getting it back at some point during the year.
Use last years’ supplies for the first week and then buy new stuff when all the back to school supplies go on sale!
For younger children having a visual calendar with pictures helps them to establish their school week and anticipate fun activities and projects that they can be excited about.
Involve your child(ren) in getting ready to going back to school- have them label items, pick out bookbags, get the school supplies ready; the more invested they are in the process the more they’ll be ready to go back!
My best tip is to start the bedtime routine a week or two early. Get younger kids to bed a little earlier each nite and encourage the olders to do the same. And make sure you get some extra sleep time while you’re at it. You’ll be glad you did when the rush of the first week of school hits.
When printing/picking up the current year school supply lists make sure to grab a copy of your childs next grade year. Many times the lists from the current school year are the same for the next school year. You can pick up both this years and next years supplies if you find a good deal.
My tip is to use your Calendar for everything! The school year gets buzy, you must stay well organized!
Erin Barry
erin.barry@hotmail.com
My tip for back to school is to get them literally back to the facility if possible. We have been playing on the playground and field a few nights a week. We discuss the activities inside and outside of the school. It is a great way to re-introduce routines.
My best tip is to try to keep as much as you can from the year before, and make a list of the things that were needed the most last year, for this year. Sometimes you think you need to buy tons of supplies, and actually hardly any of it gets used. So if your child went through tons of pencil crayons, then buy new ones for this year. If the sandwich containers are still good from last year, then those are fine to use this year.
-Jessalynn
jessalynn_sammons@hotmail.com
My best back to school tip is to let the kids choose their outfit and help pack their lunch the night before. It saves time, and eliminates any complaints in the morning since they’ve made their own choices. My guys aren’t morning people so anything that makes mornings smoother is a plus for me!
My 4 year old daughter will be starting JK in Sept so its not back to school for us its just the start. But my stradegy will be to make sure I don’t start the new routine and schedule to early….maybe a weeks before it will be boot camp here with early bed times and timed meals, lol. This way we can still enjoy every minute of summer time!
I already use my loveable labels..and love them so I know they will make life a lot easier when it comes to school. So they r prob the best tip for school…which I have already told all my girlfriends about.
Tara – tjmazz@yahoo.com
Label everything!! I have saved so much money not having to re-purchase Tupperware that my lovely children seem to leave behind. I label the tops and bottoms of ALL my containers with our last name.. Items left at school or friends houses always seem to make it home because of it.
Buy all your loveable labels now, but save the back to school buying until the weekend after school starts. Then your child can have the latest and greatest, at a discount price!
I have 2 kids and 2 lunch kits per child and pre-pack 4 lunches at once (leaving out only perishable items) and keep them all in the fridge. this way I only pack lunches every other day.
Loveable Labels has become a ‘staple’ item in our house. For the past few years my daughters and I go online together and they select their personalized labels.
thank you!!!
Lovable Labels are a much needed back to school item, it makes life easier as a parent and for the teachers
Remember that students don’t need everything on their supply list the first week so if you go shopping the next weekend for at least a couple of items they will be on sale! (markers, crayons, notebooks, etc.) And while you’re there … Check out the school supply list for next year and buy as much as you can mid-September for the next year! ie. notepads, binders, etc. If you do this every year your school shopping will not be crazy!
Plan lunches for the week, have everything ready the night before & buy school supplies when they go on sale (they always need more)
In our house we like to set up a back to school countdown calendar in August. The girls help me write one back to school item we need or job we have to do to prepare on each day of the month. (e.g.) Aug. 1st, buy lunchbag etc. Aug. 2nd, take a walk to the school, Aug. 3 practice the route to the bus stop, Aug. 4 sort our fall clothes and label (with lovable labels of course!). They like to be a part of the preparation process and it’s a fun little ritual, much like an Advent calendar! It makes the transition fun, they are part of the structure and we accomplish necessary tasks bit by bit. Happy back to school and thanks for all the tips!
oops, my email address is kimohearn@hotmail.com Thanks!
I always start making a few freezer meals in August so that in the crazy time of back to school in September meals are easy and ready to go. Reduces so much stress!
Love the labels for schoool, water bottles, swim bags, everything!!! The slimline are perfect size for pencils and pens and even my kids are amazed how long they keep their supplies now. Stick and peel…so much easier then writing names in everything.
The labels paid for themselves this year when we didn’t have to buy 3 & 4 $10 water bottles for sports.
I tell every mom I know about your labels!!!!
We have special needs children so each year starts with a “rehearsal” of the school day including a field trip to the school and a “recess” on the playground.
I haven’t used Loveable Labels yet, but I would love to add them to our back to school supply list. I think I am hooked!
Oops – Elizabeth Towns; buffisan at gmaildotcom – This is why I need labels. With all the right information in one place, I will have what I need at my fingertips.
Litterless lunch! Not only will it save you money to pack your kids snacks and lunches in containers (labeled of course with their names) instead of baggies or buying prepackaged it is also healthier, there is more variety, it’s much better for the environment AND its sooo much cleaner at the end of the day when you un
Litterless lunch! Not only will it save you money to pack your kids snacks and lunches in containers (labeled of course with their names) instead of baggies or buying prepackaged it is also healthier, there is more variety, it’s much better for the environment AND its sooo much cleaner at the end of the day when you unpack their lunch bags!
Be Prepared. Label everything (Using Loveable Labels of course!) before. I also get my kids to pick out the clothes they are going to wear the night before as well as stock up their backpacks to save time and searching for stuff in the morning!
My kids wear a uniform to school. So everyone has the same everything. I believe if you label it, all your items come back to you even if they get lost for a week or so.
Loveable Labels are the best! I loved reading all the comments & tips above
Tammy – tammy@wishloff.com
I love these labels and always order them for my son in preschool/daycare and my daughter in Grade 1. Recently I ordered 2 packages for my mother who is in a care home now. They are excellent and withstand the dishwasher and laundry. And best of all, they are Canadian!
Wahoooo Back to school !!
These labels are great also for daycare , I can say they have helped me retrieve a lot of lost item
Loveable labels makes picking sticker styles fun with my kids
Hope everyone enjoyed their summer
Erin
I’m lazy with cooking in the summer, so have to start getting back into the swing of it towards the end of August. I like to poach chicken breasts and roast turkey breasts, shred and freeze the meat in small quantities and use it for sandwiches, salads and soups for back to school lunches. Much tastier and healthier than lunch meats. I also start making and freezing casseroles, muffins, etc so they are ready to go when the busy school year starts up.
My daughter starts JK in September. Since she is always scared of new places, I have already started walking her to the school and getting her familiar with the school yard. And because the school starts half-way during the week, it won’t be so overwhelming.
Look at the weather for the week and plan all clothing/accessories for the week ahead. My kids have days of the week organizers in their closets. They take out what they need for that day & go!
Have always found it much easier to make lunches the night before. Place a variety of things (fruit, sandwich/salad items, yogurts) on the countertop and everyone chooses what they want. Then you grab from the fridge the next morning and go.
Start winding down by the third week of August! It takes at least a week for kids to get back into the swing of bedtime routines and getting ready in the morning. Let them do their own labelling so they get excited with all their new school gear!
Plan ahead and prepare for a tired few nights once school begins. Change in routine is a big adjustment for kids of all ages!!!
I keep an extra set of labelled supplies in my car to be prepared for those “mom,the dog must have ate my crayons because they’re not in my bag!” moments parents have to always be prepared! Also, i keep healthy snacks in the car and a light jacket and sweatshirt in the car for those chillier than expected mornings when running back into the house will throw us off schedule. Thanks for all the great tips! I’m learning a lot!
My back to school tip is to try planning and organizing well in advance. Shop for supplies early to avoid the stress of last minute shopping.
I work for a kids clothing company and my best advice is to shop early!! (like June/July) alot of companies start bringing in backpacks, hoodies, & long sleeve tees fairly early and if you wait until August the selection isn’t great. And stock up on extra binders, notebooks, hoodies, tees, and labels of course!
When buying school clothes, always buy 2 of each item, and buy the second item in a size up. They grow so fast!
Also, always keep an extra pair of socks and mittens in backpacks, in addition to their labelled school clothes. Socks and mittens always seem to get wet or lost in the weirdest places…
Thx!
My best back to school tip is to do everything you can ahead of time- from getting clothes and lunches ready to having all papers signed and ready and back in backpacks the night before- mornings are killer here and this makes things so much smoother.
Breath and relax! You can do it by taking one day at a time and try to have fun along the way! Everyone in the household will survive this new routine by laughing with each other.
Our baby girl is starting school this September and we want it to be a good start so I put out a call and Lovable Labels was recommended to us!! Placing an order now but would still love to win (there’s always a need for more labels!!)
For the key items like lunchbag and backpack, I make sure my boys are involved in the choice, because then they “own” it more and take care of it. Now is when we pull everything out and start labelling it, and I get the boys to put their labels on items, which makes it easier for them to locate the label later to identify their items, and then they take more ownership of the smaller items too. My eldest has orthotics this year and guess what- those got plastered with Lovable Labels too!
p.s. I entered my email address in the required comment field, but I don’t want to put it in the actual comment (as highlighted in red above) because there are a lot of spyware programs that crawl through webpages looking for emails.
My back to school tip – start the early bedtime routine a week before school starts. And stick with it.
Sadie
sadiebeery at hotmail dot com
not sure if i have the best back to school tip since my son will be starting JK this year we are all so happy excited and nervious so what i can think of for a school tip would be since kids are always growing and usually end up having a growth spurt at the end of summer i would suggest buying shoes just before school starts instead of buying school stuff at end of june for next year or stock pile cause nothing could be worse then trying to put your childs new shoes on so you can get out to the bus only to find out the new pair is too small.. also was suggested to get loveable labels so our son doesnt loose there items at school
Ps also put email address in box provided not in message as i dont want all to see my address thanks in advance..
I buy back to school clothes beginning in the spring as local shops have sales (ie. Zellers closing sale) and one-two sizes larger than my son currently wears – depending on how fabulous the sale is. Shoes wait until the end of the summer growth spurt. And of course, we participate in the giving and receiving of gently worn clothes and shoes amongst friends and neighbours. Back to school clothes don’t necessarily mean store bought!
I start to gear the kids up by starting to get back on track with bedtime/daytime/mealtime routines by mid-August. Eases the transition! I also buy school supplies in bulk while they are on sale so I can easily re-stock supplies and save money.
A few weeks before school I take my kids to the store to pick their own school supplies – I find this gets them excited for school.
Don’t forget to take pictures on the first day! I pose my kids the same way in the same spot every year on the first day of school. They love to go back through the previous years’ photos and so do I.
My best back to school tip is…wait the class “school supply” list to be sent home by the teacher. I’m always surprised by the amount of basics the teachers provide to the kids. So, wait until you know you need it, by then the back-to-school rush is over and the stores start marking down items.
My best back to school tip is…wait until the class “school supply” list is sent home by the teacher. I’m always surprised by the amount of basics the teachers provide to the kids. So, wait until you know you need it, by then the back-to-school rush is over and the stores start marking down items.
Joanne Paquette
joannepaquette@rogers.com
I get my kids to pack their own backpacks with school supplies and help in making their own lunches.
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Start back to school shopping EARLY!