Let’s Put Our Hands in the Air for These Things That Make Motherhood Easier During Back-To-School

It’s back-to-school time. Again. Every year, it’s the same thing: the hustle, the bustle, the running around, the deciphering of class lists and on and on. And we always forget one thing ⏤ us. Well, not this year, moms. And that is why I have created this list for you, for us, for making back-to-school the experience we deserve this year.

Online Shopping is My Kind of Shopping

I once made a wish and it was that shopping was made easier. In retrospect, I should have gone with unlimited money. Don’t judge. I was under pressure. Online shopping is one of the greatest inventions of all time, especially when you’re trying to avoid a scavenger hunt in a mall packed with 13-year-olds. Shoes? Online. Socks? Online. Training bras? Oh no, I’m not ready! This year, treat yourselves to the joys of online shopping. You can get every school supply on the internet and you can do it in your PJs. Need I say more?

Brace Yourself for Invisalign^® Clear Aligners

Your kid may not feel like they’re doing a lot of smiling during the back-to-school season, but if they get these aligners, they will. Remember the days of metal mouth braces being their only option? Gum getting stuck in braces or lips being cut by all that metal? Well, say no more to that. Invisalign clear aligners are not only the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, but your kid can remove them when they need to eat, drink, brush or floss ⏤ making motherhood so much easier during the hectic back-to-school transition. What’s great about Invisalign treatment is it can tackle simple to complex orthodontic needs. To get your child started, check out their smile assessment here.

Find the Stores That Do the Work for You

An amazing thing is happening out there: Stores are making back-to-school lists for you. Find those stores and let them do the work. Some of them even package and deliver the items to your home. I got chills writing that… and not just because I have the AC cranked up.

Don’t Get Lunch-Boxed In

Kids love choosing their adorable cartoon-themed lunch boxes and you know what? Let them. However, if you’re packing lunch every day, it’s probably you packing and cleaning out that lunch box. Do yourself a favor and get a compartmentalized plastic container to keep inside their lunch box. Easier to pack and easier to clean.

Ditch the Hair Dryer for Dry Shampoo

You heard me! Who has time to wash and dry hair when your schedule is tight? Also, real talk, who feels like it even when you do have time? Dry shampoo is a great option when you want to drop a to-do on your list. Not only do dry shampoos allow you to spray and go, giving you a couple of extra days before your next wash, they also style and add volume to your hair. Why ask why when you can go dry?

Make Your Make-Up Do the Multitasking

I’m about to blow your mind. A lipstick is also a blush. Feel free to read that again. Just pull out your lipstick, apply to lips for a sheer gloss, and then rub on your cheeks for a rosy glow. If there is one thing I appreciate, it is something that can do two things at once. Unlike my husband.

Label, Baby!

Label everything you buy your kids for school. E-ver-y-thing. What’s worse than going back-to-school shopping? Replacing those items two weeks after you bought them because your kid cannot seem to remember to put his lunchbox in his bag. Label, label, label and label some more. Just don’t lose your label maker!

Stop the Laundry Sock Mystery

I don’t know about you, but during back-to-school season, dirty laundry piles up and so do mismatched socks. We are all familiar with the mystery of the missing sock. So, how to solve this mystery? Get a mesh wash bag to put all the socks in and they’ll get washing together while they’re hanging with their sock pal. It’s all kind of heartwarming and also you won’t waste time looking for matching socks.

I hope these tips make your back-to-school experience go a bit more smoothly this year. Remember that shopping doesn’t have to be a chaotic, stress-inducing nightmare. Don’t forget to put yourself on the back-to-school list this year and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a few hours to yourself when the kids are at school!

Invisalign clear aligners help make motherhood easier during back-to-school season. With over 20 years of innovation and 6 million+ smiles, Invisalign treatment works for simple to complex orthodontic cases.* Find an Invisalign doctor near you here.

*Data on file at Align Technology, Inc. as of October 29, 2018