A breath of Fresh Air - Back to School

Written by our new Boom Buddy Family - The Collins Crew

After weeks of juggling childcare, activities, and unpredictable weather — all while trying to avoid burnout — September can feel like a breath of fresh air. But let’s be honest: it’s not without its own chaos.

Working in a deprived area of Nottinghamshire, I witness daily the resilience of families doing their best to meet the demands of the school year — from affording mandatory uniforms and essential equipment to ensuring their children have nutritious lunches.

So, as we prepare for the back-to-school season, I wanted to share a few tips that have helped us in our household. We haven’t got it all figured out, but these are practical strategies that work for us — and with my background, I can also offer insights from a school's perspective.

School supplies: Tips and Tricks.

Whether your child is starting school for the first time or heading back after the holidays, this season can quickly become a financial strain. Even as a teacher, I’m still taken aback by how costly school uniforms can be!

Many schools offer pre-loved uniforms, books, and PE kits through their school shop—often at a fraction of the original price. These are usually listed on the school’s website, so it’s well worth checking what’s available and how to access them. You might be surprised by the quality and savings.

Retailers like Asda and Matalan frequently run back-to-school promotions. Buying multi-packs of essentials not only saves money but also reduces the stress of midweek laundry. For instance, Asda currently offers multipack polo shirts from just £3 and school shoes starting at £10. Planning ahead and comparing prices can make a real difference to both your budget and your peace of mind.

Most schools have specific expectations when it comes to supplies. It’s important to check these to avoid unnecessary sanctions or stress. At my school, for example, students are expected to bring two black pens, a pencil, a ruler, a reading book, and a red pen for responding to feedback. Having these items ready helps your child feel confident and prepared from day one.

Letters Lost? Let the Calendar Do the Talking

Each year, schools release a calendar with key dates—trips, parents’ evenings, open evenings, activities, and holidays. It’s easy to miss these if your child forgets to hand over letters or if you’re too busy to check their bag after work. We’ve found that keeping a visible calendar at home helps us stay on top of things. Even with our toddler, we jot down nursery events so he doesn’t miss out. It’s always lovely to do the creative little home tasks they suggest as a family, and seeing his proud face when he takes them in is priceless.

I’m not claiming our routines are perfect or that these tips are gospel—but they work for us, and they might help you too.

Meal Planning: Saving Time, Money, and Stress

Once children head back to school, it can sometimes elevate the pressure of preparing lunches but we then have to consider the busy teatime routine. Trying to create balanced meals which are not as pricey but quick and healthy can be a challenge. 

Before heading to our local Aldi, we take time to plan our meals for the week. We consider our schedules, especially evenings when work commitments like parents’ evenings or meetings mean we won’t be home until after 6pm. This helps us choose meals that suit our available cooking time, support healthy eating habits, and add variety to our week. Side note, a top recommendation for budget-friendly recipes; Miguel Barclay’s recipes books are brilliant (we have a few). We also consider what other items we may need, for example if we are buying softener and wash tabs, we try to limit non-essentials such as biscuits and crisps to keep the budget down.

Having a clear plan means we know exactly what’s for tea each day, which takes the guesswork out of busy evenings. It also helps us stick to our shopping list, avoiding impulse buys and keeping our spending in check.

Leftovers play a key role too; they become easy, cost-effective lunches for myself or my husband, reducing food waste and saving time during the workday.

Family Mealtimes: A Space to Reconnect

In our family of three, mealtimes are more than just a chance to eat; they’re a daily opportunity to reconnect. With busy workdays and nursery schedules, we usually get home around 5pm, and dinner becomes a moment to switch off and simply be together. Our toddler, thankfully, is happy to eat what we’re eating, though that doesn’t always mean he’s cooperative! We’ve found that offering something he can help himself to encourages better table habits and keeps him engaged. 

We’ve made a conscious choice to keep screens out of the dining area. Instead, we play music in the background, which adds a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Phones are kept away from the table to promote conversation and presence. Cooking is a shared experience too; whether it’s chatting, dancing in the kitchen, or simply being in the same room, it helps make the space feel lively and welcoming, not just functional.

Bedtime: Calm, Consistent, and Screen-Free

Our toddler’s bedtime routine is consistent every night, regardless of how our day has gone. Around 6:30pm, we begin winding down with either a bath or a story, followed by pyjamas and cuddles before tucking him into bed. We avoid screens during this time, as we’ve noticed they tend to overstimulate him, leading to restlessness and frequent get-ups. Because of this predictable routine, bedtime isn’t a battle—he often asks to go up himself.

As a teacher, I see firsthand how poor sleep habits can affect children in the classroom. Students who stay up late playing games or watching TV often arrive at school tired and unfocused, making morning lessons a challenge. As the day goes on, these children tend to become more agitated or unfocused. While having a TV in a child’s bedroom can offer a sense of a personal space, it’s important to set boundaries. Cut-off times and screen-free routines can help ensure children get the rest they need to thrive both at home and in school. Offering a chance to read or listen to music can help a child to wind down ready for a good night’s sleep.

Once the little ones are tucked in and settled, it’s tempting to dive straight into chores (or in my case, mark assessments for 3 hours). But those few hours before your own bedtime are precious. Take time for yourself and your partner. Sure, throw in a load of laundry or tidy the kitchen, but carve out space to binge a show, enjoy a quiet moment, or even share one child-free meal a week. You deserve it.

Routine Ready, Budget Steady. You’ve Got This!

While no routine is foolproof and no household runs like clockwork, small strategies can make a big difference. Whether it’s prepping lunches, setting screen boundaries, or simply carving out time to reconnect over dinner, these habits help us feel more in control and more connected. These tips aren’t perfect, and they won’t suit everyone—but they’ve helped us find a bit more calm in the chaos.

If you would like to see an article on something, whether it be a review on a place, a meal plan idea, or something completely different, we are always looking for new and exciting blogs that will benefit you! - email us at info@boommagazine.co.uk