It’s Back to School season. Let’s be honest, stores like Target have been showing school supplies since May! Although my kids may not be ready, it’s time to get out there and get those back to school must-haves in order for them to be “successful.” (Not sure that uniforms make them successful, but they are a must-have!)

Back to school shopping can make you delirious. The thought of dragging the kids out of their idea of summer fun to wander the aisles of a store to try on new clothes, shoes, or to pick out their supplies is my idea of a slow torture. Then again, NOT taking them with me will backfire for sure. You know what I’m talking about:

“Mom, I didn’t want red.”

“Why did you pick that out? It’s not what I wanted.”

UGH!

In the past few years since my kids have gotten older, I do a bulk of my back to school shopping online. This way they can see the items as they pass by me on the way to the kitchen and I don’t have to stand in a 2-hour line.

Either way, here are our

Back to School Must-Haves

 

Academic Planner

Being organized is an essential part of a student’s daily life. Let’s face it, there are many assignments, tests, and projects that will need to be completed and if a student doesn’t have a great place to write down the work, then how in the world will they remember it all? Or at least that’s what I keep trying to convince my 13-year-old of what needs to happen. This academic planner from Order Out of Chaos was designed by a mother whose son was diagnosed with ADHD, Executive Function deficiencies, and some learning disabilities. It’s one of the better planners I have seen for students to make sure they have great time management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backpack

All students need a backpack, right? The JanSport Right Pack Backpack has always been #1…and it has a lifetime guarantee. Lifetime! That’s something that’s important, especially with kids who are pretty damn rough on their backpacks. Last year my son somehow ripped a hole in the suede bottom of his. I simply filled out the damage form online and they sent him a new one. PERFECT! I don’t know about you, but I don’t like buying a new backpack every school year.

 

Paper and Pencils

Paper and pencils are pretty important things, right? I stock up on these items frequently throughout the school year. Since paper is a pretty generic thing, I buy it anywhere that I find the best deal. I buy it in bulk on Amazon, at Target, and at the Dollar Store.

Pencils are items that seem to go a little faster. I think the kids eat them. Anyway, no matter if they are regular wooden pencils or mechanical, pencils are another supply that I like to keep on hand for those “writing emergencies.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glue Sticks

Glue sticks are items that schools request at any grade level. You never know when a kid needs to stick some papers together. Nevertheless, these little guys run out quickly. My theory is the more glue sticks you have on hand, the better off you are.

Binders

Where do kids keep all their work? In binders, of course! Most teachers expect the binders with the clear covers so that students can personalize them with paper or a collage. Having multiple kids, it’s smart to buy these babies in bulk.

 

Pencil Pouch

To be sure that all the pencils, glue sticks, and other items aren’t swimming around your child’s backpack, a pencil pouch is important. The main reason I buy more than one is because not all of the items that the kids need fit in one. My boys pick out two colors each: one for pencils and pens and the other for glue sticks and maybe colored pencils.

 

What’s on YOUR Back to School Must-Have list?