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5 Back-to-School Tips for Military Moms

31 August 2017 by

Ah, the joys of back-to-school chaos. The simplicity of summer has come to an end and the hustle and bustle of a brand-new school year has set in. As much as the promise of a new teacher and classroom full of potential friends excites our kids, it can also cause them a lot of anxiety.

Let’s be honest, back-to-school season can cause military moms a lot of anxiety, too. Whether you and your family relocated to a new base or your kids are just trying to get back into the swing of things, back-to-school madness can put a lot of pressure on military families.
Here are tips to make the beginning of the new school year a little less stressful and a little more manageable.

1. Take advantage of military discounts for back-to-school shopping.

Remember the thrill of getting a fresh pair of tennis shoes or a shiny new folder as a kid? As fun and exciting as back-to-school shopping can be, it can also get pretty expensive. Take advantage of all the military discounts available to you so you can stock up on this season’s styles without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for affordable and easy-to-find kids clothing and shoes, some of our top picks include:

  • Old Navy
  • Target
  • Gap Kids
  • Justice
  • The Children’s Place
  • Kohl’s
  • Payless Shoe Source

And if your child has a 2-page list of required school supplies, check out these stores:

  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Dollar Tree
  • Staples

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, keep in mind that a lot of stores don’t advertise that they offer military discounts, so it doesn’t hurt to ask at checkout.

2. Establish a routine.

Even if they don’t admit it (or realize it!), children love routine. There is comfort in knowing what should happen when, and it also helps manage expectations.

This could be especially helpful for military kids who experience frequent moves and uncertainty. Establishing a routine that begins the second your child wakes up will help provide a little more structure to his or her life.

Of course, sometimes life gets in the way and it’s hard to follow every aspect of a routine rigidly. But if you’re looking to get started, we recommend trying to implement a program like this Daily Schedule from Military Wife and Mom. These cards are straightforward, easy to use, and frankly, pretty adorable. You can download her printables and even create your own! Who said routine couldn’t be fun?

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