How on earth are we already talking about back-to-school? I swear it feels like five minutes ago we were packing away book bags and waving goodbye to the playground for the summer. Fast forward a few weeks of late nights, ice creams and the boys living in shorts and t-shirts, and suddenly it’s time to dig out uniforms again. Don’t get me wrong, 6 weeks of juggling work and being a mum has been hard, but it’s also quite nice having them at home. But I’m also looking forward to having some routine back!

This year is a big one for us because my youngest is off to junior school. Cue all the emotions – he’s so excited, and I’m sitting here wondering where my baby went! Of course, a new school means new everything: new uniform, new bag, new shoes… the lot. Thankfully, Very.co.uk have saved me with their back-to-school range. You can literally tick everything off your list in one go – from school uniforms to sturdy shoes and even backpacks big enough to fit all the random bits they insist on bringing home (last year, my youngest started the key ring collecting club, so you can imagine the random stuff he brought home).

My Back-to-School Tips (aka what keeps us sane!)

After a few years of the September juggle, I’ve learnt a few little tricks that make life easier. Sharing in case it helps another frazzled parent out there:

Bring back bedtime (gently!)
Summer bedtimes in our house are… let’s say “flexible.” A week before school, I start edging bedtime earlier by 10-15 minutes to help the boys get back into a routine. Otherwise, I’ll end up being more stressed on the first day of school than the boys will.

Get uniforms sorted early
Nothing stresses me out more than the night-before-school panic of “Mum, where’s my jumper?” (Usually followed by me finding it scrunched up behind a bed). This year I’ve stocked up with Very’s school uniform, so it’s all ready, labelled, and waiting. I love that the shirts are easy iron and the shorts are crease resistant, so no last-minute midnight long ironing sessions for me, thanks!

Make it exciting for the newbies
Because my 7-year-old is starting at a new school, I’ve been letting him choose little things – like his bag – to get him buzzing about the big day. He chose a pretty cool Pikachu bag (again, love that you can buy everything from very.co.uk). His bag is currently half-full of Pokémon cards and Lego men, but hey, if the water bottle fits, I’m happy.

Invest in good shoes
If your kids are anything like mine, their shoes take an absolute hammering in the playground. I’ve had soles falling off by half term before (the shame). The boys have Kickers and Clarks school shoes this year, and honestly, they’re brilliant – stylish enough for them, sturdy enough for me. The boys prefer a sporty-looking school shoe and there is so much choice. Marlo loves his new shoes, and I love that they have toe and heel bumpers with a scuff-resistant coating. You can find loads of Kickers school shoes at Very.co.uk, which means there is something for even the fussiest kid.

What We’ve Picked This Year

  • Grey shorts, blue shirts and jumpers for the junior school newbie – the boys prefer shorts over trousers, and the shorts at very.co.uk feature a Teflon coating that shrugs off minor spills and stains. Plus, a water repellent finish that offers protection from sudden showers during the walk to school. Pretty good right?
  • A shiny new school bag (already packed with Pokémon cards, naturally)
  • Clarks and Kickers shoes – because with two active boys, you need a kids’ shoe brand that lasts!
  • Oh, and about 10 spare pairs of socks, because how do they vanish overnight? It’s a mystery I’ll never solve.

Why I’m Loving Very

Honestly, the best bit about shopping with Very is that I don’t have to drag the boys round the shops (last time I tried that, they had a wrestling match in the shoe aisle – never again). I can do it all online, cup of tea in hand, and know it’ll all arrive before the big day. Less stress, more time to squeeze in those last summer adventures. Plus, the choice is so much better than in some of the high street shops I’ve been in. Whether your school colours are grey and blue like ours, or something completely different, there are loads of choices to match most uniform policies. Plus, plenty of sizes in stock, which is not always the case elsewhere!

So, here’s to new classrooms, fresh notebooks, remembered PE kits (wishful thinking), and shoes that actually last until Christmas. We’re ready for you, September!