Let’s not pretend. We loved the holidays. We did. But six weeks in and we were all done. Every mum I’ve spoken to this week has said the same thing, we needed them back at school. They needed to be back. Everyone needed a break from everyone.
And now, finally, a few hours of quiet. Breathe in that post-school coffee.
But here’s the thing I’m trying to avoid this year. Diving straight back into the tight schedules, the clubs, the after-school chaos, and burning out by week two. As I always tell myself, organisation is key – let’s see if I can stick to it.
🗓️ The Family Planner Situation
If it’s not on the wall, it’s not happening.
I’ve been through the phone calendar phase, the shared app phase, and they do help somewhat. But what works for us is a big, visible, everyone-can-see-it planner on the kitchen wall. Clubs, non-uniform days, whose turn it is for swimming kit. All of it. No excuse for anyone to constantly ask you either!
📚 A Cupboard for School Stuff
This one changed things for us. Shoes, book bags, coats, PE kit. All in one spot. Not lost in the under-stairs cupboard of doom with the recycling and the hoover.
If you don’t have the space for a full cupboard like this one, a low storage bench by the door works. A section each. Hooks at kid-height so they can actually reach.
The other thing I’m doing this year: a back-up uniform bag. Clean polo, spare tights, an extra jumper. For the mornings when it all goes sideways and we’re searching around the house.
And I’m trying to hand more of this over to the kids. They can pour their own cereal. They can put their reading book in their bag. It just feels less daunting when the stuff is laid out and ready to go.
Little independent wins. Fewer meltdowns. We can do this.
⚡ The Last-Minute Panic Buys
The pencil case has vanished. The lunchbox did not survive the summer. Somebody chose the shoes that looked pretty, but are giving them blisters.
If you’re in this exact spot right now, you are not alone. Here are the next-day delivery bits saving me this week.
Read My Back-to-school Guide >
🍂 A Little Autumn Preview
The mornings have turned. There’s that proper autumn chill, which means it’s probably time to put away the flip flops and floaty dresses (unless the weather plays more tricks).
Which means it’s coat season. And boot season. And one of my favourite fashion seasons.
I’ve pulled together a little preview edit to get you started. A mix of the autumn bits I’ve been eyeing up for those ready to move on to the pumpkin spiced lattes…
And over the next few weeks, full coat and shoe edits to get us set-up – eek!
💛 Small Business Shout Out – With You
Gemma is a mum in Hampshire who started with you after thinking about her own daughter growing up, and how she wanted her first period to feel completely different from the awkward, slightly frightening experience most of us remember.
She’s created the First Period Confidence Pouch. Period pants, pads, liners, a heat pack, a wet bag, and (the bit I love) reassurance cards that gently talk a girl through what to do if her first period turns up out of nowhere. Even just “take a breath, you’re okay.” She also writes The with you Journal, with free, gentle guidance for parents trying to have these conversations without making them weird.
I’ve got less years than I can admit before this is me. But I’m bookmarking it now. If you’re raising girls, or you know someone who is, have a look or follow on Instagram.
September always feels like a fresh start. New pencils, new routines, that clean slate energy. But it doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. Nobody’s watching. Nobody’s grading you on how smoothly the first week goes.
Let’s just get through the first fortnight with everyone fed, mostly on time, and reasonably in one piece.
That’s the goal.
Louise x
*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.