The Ultimate Back To School Checklist For Moms

As school approaches, use this Ultimate Back to School Checklist for moms to make sure nothing is missed. No need to stress, as this checklist covers everything you will need to do to make sure your kiddos are ready for that first day of school.

Grab your checklist, AND first day of school sign, PLUS cute lunch encouragement cards, and get ready to have the best school year yet!

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It’s that time of the year again when school bells are ringing, and children are heading back to classrooms.

FREE CHECKLIST!

Also check out: 23 BEST BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZATION TIPS FOR MOMS

For busy moms, the back-to-school season can be stressful and overwhelming. It requires juggling multiple responsibilities, from buying school supplies to preparing snacks and lunches for kids.

New beginnings, a fresh start, so for moms it’s normal to have extra emotions attached to the start of the school year.

Many moms are excited to get back in to routines, and to have more focused time as kids are at school.

Included In This Post:

1. Back To School Checklist For Moms 1 Month Before School Starts
2. Back To School Checklist For Moms 1-2 Weeks Before School Starts
3. Back To School Checklist For Moms The Night Before The First Day Of School
4. Back to School Checklist for Moms: First Day of School

To make the process easier, I put together the ultimate back-to-school checklist to help moms stay organized and prepared for the new school year.

This checklist is packed with every detail, so let’s get ready to start checking things off our list.

Grab your BTS Checklist, Lunch Notes, and First / Last day of school signs!

Back To School Checklist For Moms 1 Month Before School Starts

There are a lot of things that have to happen before the first day of school, so don’t wait till the week before to try and get everything done.

Here are several things you can do one month before the start of school.

Clean Out and Organize Kid’s Clothes

Before you run out and start spending hundreds of dollars on new back to school clothes, go through your kids closets and dressers and take inventory.

• Purge / get rid of, any clothes that are too small or have holes.

• Separate clothes in to piles of shirts, shorts and pants to see what you have enough of and what you need more of.

• Create a list of the clothes items you still need per child

How much clothes should I have for my kid for back to school?

Depending on how often you want to do laundry will determine how many of each item of clothing you will need.

I wash my kids clothes once per week in my laundry schedule, so my kids each have ONE weeks worth of outfits for each child.

My kids have uniforms so I make sure each child has the following in their closets and dressers:

• 7 short sleeve shirts (polos)

• 7 pairs of shorts, skirts or uniform polo dresses

• 7 pairs of pants or leggings

• 3 sweatshirts

• 10 pairs of underwear

• 10 pairs of socks

Back To School Clothing Shopping List

To avoid stressing, late shipments or out of stock items, start you back to school clothes shopping early. I’m reminding myself even as I type this!

Check school uniform and clothes guidelines to make sure your child has the right clothes for the first day of school. If you shop in the first week of July you can take advantage of Amazon Prime Deals days and save extra on needed school items.

Some of my favorite places to shop for back to school clothes are Amazon, Target, Old Navy and Walmart.

Invest in durable shoes that can withstand wear and tear from your child’s everyday activities.

School Supplies Shopping list

Planning ahead can save you lots of time, stress and money. If you shop early you can avoid the long lines, crowds and out of stock items.

You’ll want to ensure that your child has all the basic school essentials such as pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, markers, and glue.

Check your school’s website for a school supply list specific to your child’s grade. To make shopping easier, consider buying in bulk or online to save time and money.

Buy Other School Items You May Need

Don’t forget the miscellaneous items on your back-to-school checklist.

These include but aren’t limited to: a new backpack, headphones, a water bottle, a planner, an alarm clock, and a calculator. While not all items may be necessary, it’s always a good idea to have these items available just in case.

Supplies For Home

With four kids and years of homework and school projects behind my belt, it is always a good idea while you are buying supplies for your kids that go with them to school, make sure you stock up your supplies at home too.

Have extra markers, crayons, printer paper, a ruler, calculator, tape, pencils, and pencil sharpener available for homework and school projects completed at home.

Schedule Physicals / Doctors Appointments

Especially if you kids are entering Kindergarten, the school will want updated immunization records. Each year prior to the start of school I schedule physicals and dentist appointment for my kids, so we start the school year all healthy and up to date.

Add School Events To Your School Calendar

As a mom preparing for the upcoming school year, it’s vital to have all of the important known dates in your calendar. It will help in making sure you don’t miss anything through out the year and you can plan around school functions, days off and minimum days.

Make sure the school year is stress free by taking a few extra minutes before school starts to add all of the important dates to the calendar, such as parent-teacher conferences, teacher days, school holidays, school drop off times, and the start of school.

Register for Fall Sports and Events

Fall sports are a great time to learn a new skill and to make new friends. From soccer, to football, dance and cheer there are always sports and extracurricular activities to sign up for. So keep an eye out for communication from your kids school so you don’t miss out.

If you don’t have time to read all these amazing back to school tips in this post, email it to yourself or pin it for later! And don’t forget to snag this back to school checklist! You DON’T want to miss!

Practice Summer Reading

Summer often flies by and the commitment at the beginning of summer to stay on top of reading may have slipped through the cracks. Take advantage of the last few weeks of summer and brush up on your kids reading skills with some daily practice.

This will give you some peace of mind knowing that they are going in to the new school year ready to go.

Get Your Home Organized

While the new school year brings lots of excitement, as moms we all know that it can feel very hectic and brings lots of chaos. But don’t worry, you can start now by getting your house organized and ready for the start of school.

Here are a few things you can start doing now:

• Organize the refrigerator with an easy self-serve breakfast and snack station.

• Create a lunch packing station.

• Set up and designate a homework station.

• Organize and clean up the home command center

• Organize or create a drop area for backpacks, sweatshirts, jackets and shoes.

Back To School Checklist For Moms 1-2 Weeks Before School Starts

As the start of school approaches, there are several more items you can get checked off your list so you are not stressing the night before school starts.

Get Hair Cuts

Last year I waited till the last minute and then messed up on the appointment date I needed for my kids hair cuts and boy was I scrambling. Take it from me, get the hair cuts out of the way and schedule them sooner rather then later.

I like to go on Pinterest and let my kids pick their first day of school hair cut (with in reason, of course). Last year was a lot of fun and everyone loved their new cuts for school.

Label Everything

Labeling everything helps me just as much as it helps my teachers and the school. With four kids, it helps to have all the water bottles and lunches labeled so I can remember what belongs to whom.

So many times when an item gets lost at school we usually can find it because it had a label on it, which in the long run saves you money!

Back to School Admin To- Do List

Prior to school starting there are some admin to-do items that are very helpful to start the school year off right, such as complete all paperwork, contact teachers and address learning gaps.

Complete all of the back to school paperwork

Did any of your contact information change over summer? If your address or contact information changed, make sure you update it with the school.

Contact teachers

If you have any concerns or questions about the start of the school year, specifically related to your child, reach out to your child’s teacher and get those conversations started earlier, rather then later.

Address learning gaps early and often with your child’s teacher

It can take a little bit of time for teachers to learn each of their students and understand where they are all at. So if you are aware of some learning gaps with your child, address them early with your teacher as it will help them out in figuring out classroom dynamics.

Start Practicing Your Morning School Routine

If your summer was anything like mine, it included lazy slow start summer mornings. So, adjusting to an earlier wake up time (for everyone, mom included), is going to take some practice.

Don’t wait till the night before school starts and expect your kids to wake up happy and ready to go.

To prepare for a great start to school, practice at least a week in advance setting alarms, kids practicing getting dressed and moving through the responsibilities of their morning.

The more you practice, the more successful those early school mornings will be.

Perfect Your Sunday Reset Day

It never fails that things always feel way busier once school and sports start. Do you have a Sunday Reset Day? This is the perfect way to head in to the week organized, prepared and stress free.

Take a few hours on your Sunday (or any day that works best for your schedule) and clean the house, stock up on food, meal prep and get caught up on laundry.

Lay Out Clothes For the Whole Week

To avoid the school morning chaos and arguments with your children on what to wear, or “I don’t have any clean clothes”, lay out all of the clothes for the entire week a head of time. This is one of the best mom tips for an easier and calmer morning. Make sure you have the first day of school outfit all picked out and ready to go.

Get Back in to the Swing of Meal Planning, Batch Cooking and Freezer Meals

Gone are the summer days of late dinners, ad hogs meals and winging most days, soaking up the sun. Once school starts, being prepared gives you the best chance of not being stressed out and overwhelmed.

During my Sunday Reset Day, I plan out and prep my meals for the week. Meal prepping is the best way to save HOURS each week and reduce stress.

Stock up on freezer meals, and instead of just making one meal, batch several for different dinners throughout the week.

Stock Up On Groceries

Hit up Costco, or your local grocery store and stock your kitchen and pantry with lunch items.

Hate grocery shopping? Switch to online shopping for your groceries and save hours each week.

In fact, since switching my family to online shopping for my groceries, we have saved 188 hours and $1881 by shopping online and having our groceries delivered right to my front door and kitchen counters.

I’ve become the biggest fan and love that I don’t spend hours each week roaming the grocery store with four kids in tow.

Easy Healthy Breakfast Foods

I am not a morning person and struggle getting up to make a large egg breakfast every morning before school. So I use meal prepping to make several easy but healthy breakfast options that are self serve, or require minimal effort from me.

No need to over complicate breakfast. No mom guilt here!

As a mom of four, I’m giving you permission to not feel you need to make glamorous breakfasts for your kids, you are not failing as a mom. Simple, on the go is just fine!

My favorites are:

• Loaded Banana Pancakes made and froze ahead of time

• Muffin egg bake

• Bacon (made ahead of time)

• Smoothies

• Fruit (Banana + Peanut or Almond butter!)

• Gogurt + granola

• Oatmeal

• Cereal

• Toast

Lunches

Food is an essential part of your child’s day, so preparing healthy meals and snacks is crucial. Buy healthy food items and invest in a reliable lunch bag to keep food fresh. Opt for reusable containers and bottles to save money.

After School Snacks

I love snack platters! Have you heard of them? With four kids, who all seem to be famished when they come home from school, and all have different taste and food liking, snack platters are a huge fan favorite in our house.

I claim this as a “mom hack” all the time. There are enough options for all four kids to be happy and full. win/win!

Plan Before and After School Care

If you are a dual working family and are using the school districts before and after care, make sure you have it all set up weeks before school starts. Scrambling at the last minute, or trying to find a nanny for only pickup’s can take some time figuring out.

Send in Money For School Hot Lunches (if participating)

School hot lunches are a great option if your kids like the food and it works for your family. Many districts require paying in advance or having money on your account in order for your child to get the provided lunch for that day. So make sure you have all of the money sent in a head of time if you are planning to participate in the school’s hot lunches.

Set Goals and Expectations

Take advantage of a clean slate that the new school year provides and set some new goals and expectations. Maybe is creating a consistent homework and after school routine, or establishing an effective morning routine for both mom and kids.

Whatever the goal, the new school year is the perfect time to create new goals and use the motivation of a new start to reach those goals. So take a few minutes and brainstorm what are some goals you are hoping to achieve this school year. Write them down and be ready to tackle them this year.

Print First Day of School Sign –

Don’t be like me and wait to print my first day of school signs the night before! That is so stressful! Trying to find one you like, then realizing you don’t have ink in your printer, it was a nightmare. Learn from me, and print it early, so you are ready and not stressing out the night before. OR use the Pro Mom Tip below!!

Snag & Print these today!

PRO MOM TIP:

Get your kids dressed in their First Day Of School Outfits several days before school starts and take them then. No one will know the difference and then you do not feel rushed or stressed to try and get that “amazing” first day of school picture when your kids emotions are high and are very distracted and nervous.

Host a Last Day of Summer Party

Close out summer with lots of friends. It will be fun for your kids to see some of their friends that they haven’t seen since summer break started. It will get them excited for school to start back up, and is a great way to close out a chapter and enter a new one.

Back To School Checklist For Moms The Night Before The First Day Of School

The night before the first day of school is such an exciting time for you and kids. There are a few important things to do before the big day.

Read A Back To School Book

With all of the jitters, nerves and excitement, reading a back to school book the night before helps set the stage, calms the nerves and gives that final preparedness we all need.

From stories of overcoming the first day of school jitters for those young Tkers and Kinders, to encouragement to meet new friends for your big school age kids.

So find a book that sets the stage, snuggle up and soak in the new school year.

Review Teacher’s Name and School Details with Kids

To help kids feel less nervous, have them practice saying their name. If your school has a directory, or your teacher sent a “get to know me” email with a picture of the teacher, go over it with your kids so they can feel as comfortable going in to the first day as possible.

Most of the nerves that lead up to the first day of school are because of kids not knowing or understanding how their school day will go. So the more details you can give them, the more successful their first day of school will be.

If it’s a new school, try to visit the campus before it starts to get a tour of where their classroom will be, where the bathroom is, the gym, their playground, drop off and pick up areas.

Go Over Transportation

Before school starts, review your child’s transportation options. If your child will be taking the bus, familiarize them with the bus route and pick-up/drop-off times.

If you will be driving your child to school, plan your route, and ensure you have enough time to drop them off before the bell rings.

With all four at the same school now (WAHOO!), I like to have a designated area so I can pick them all up in the same area, since our school has different spots per grade and teacher.

Coordinate with your kids teachers so everyone is on the same page and knows exactly what to do.

Back to School Interview Questions Forms

Now while I don’t do interview questions every year, I do love this tradition. I remember asking my kids before each of them started Kindergarten and the answers and things they would say was precious (and interesting!). Busy Mom Smart Mom has 23 questions to ask for the first day of school.

Pack Lunches and Back Packs

I try to get as much done as possible the night before, even one less thing can be a huge blessing in the morning. Packing lunches and back packs helps so much!

Have a special note in your child’s lunch box

Add an encouraging note as a little surprise to help them through the rest of their day. An extra touch from mom goes a long way, especially for your kiddos who are super nervous and anxious about school and making friends.

These little notes are so cute, fun and perfect to tuck away in the lunch box.

Go To Bed Early and Set Alarms

School takes a lot out of kids of all ages. The best remedy is to go to bed early to prepare for the early awake.

Whether you are a mom or a senior in high school, it’s important for everyone to go to bed early and set the alarms to ensure a smooth next morning.

Back to School Checklist for Moms: First Day of School

Wake up early

We all know getting up early is important for a smooth stress-free morning, especially on that first day. Now, this is all easier said than done.

So when that alarm goes off, jump out of bed, roll out of bedd or even crawl out of bed, go grab that cup of coffee and start making sure your kids are up and getting ready.

While most moms (if not every mom), hates waking up early, we can all agree there is something special in waking up before your kids are up.

Drink a hot cup of coffee in peace and quiet, and having a few moments to yourself before our attention is devoted to our kids.

Eat a Healthy (Already Prepped) Breakfast

Mornings are busy and I do not like cooking, so I’m a big believer in having a Breakfast Self-Serve Station with already made breakfast items that kids can help themselves to.

This year I’m using these easy and kid friendly self -serve cereal dry food dispensers with these kid-friendly condiment containers for the milk.

No spills, all kid friendly for easy school morning breakfasts.

But maybe you love waking up and making a big egg, bacon & fruit breakfast. Either way, plan it out and give your kids the nutritious breakfast to help them have a successful day at school.

Take First Day of School Pictures

I absolutely love this tradition. I keep telling myself, I don’t care how old they get, I’m printing out the signs and taking that first day of school picture.

These are such great memories and I love taking the last day of school picture and comparing the growth over just one year. It really does go by fast.

Grab this years’ First Day of School sign available in ALL grades by clicking here!

Soak Up All Of The Excitement

I am a sucker for new beginnings. I love New Years, change of seasons, anniversaries and anything that symbolizing time together and fresh starts.

The first day of school is no different. It gives me, as mom, a chance for new goals & to focus on my routines.

It really does go by quick, so soak up all of the excitement, give extra hugs and kisses, let your kids know how proud you are of them, and send them off for their day.

Back to School Checklist for Moms Recap

There you have it, with this ultimate back to school checklist for moms, FREE Back to school sign and super cute lunch printable, you are more then set for a great first day of school and a wonderful school year.

As a busy mom you can stay organized and prepared with way less stress.

Remember to use this checklist as a guide, customize this list to meet your child’s specific needs, and purchase any needed items before the first day of school.

By having all the supplies and essentials on hand, you’ll make the back-to-school transition a breeze for you and your child. Good luck and have a great school year!

Also check out: 23 BEST BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZATION TIPS FOR MOMS

With the start of school, means MORE laundry, so don’t forget to check out:

• Laundry Hacks For Busy Moms
• 16 Effective Time Management Strategies for Overwhelmed Moms

Focus on creating some effective mom routines to help you stay on top of mom life…

Check out 13 Important Routines for Moms

I would love to hear from you, leave a comment, and share your favorite tips & hacks below.

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