The Ultimate Back-to-School Survival Guide for Moms Who Want to Stay Sane This September.

Before we dive into the backpacks, water bottles, and what teachers really wish you knew…

A huge thank you to everyone who’s already downloaded A Parent’s Handbook for Starting School. I’ve heard from so many of you, teachers, first-time school moms, seasoned parents navigating brand-new emotions, saying it’s been grounding, eye-opening, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

If you haven’t grabbed it yet and you’ve got a little one heading off to preschool or kindergarten, this handbook goes far beyond the surface. Inside, I walk you through the real work of preparing your child (and yourself) for the transition:

• how to talk about school in a way that builds trust, how to stay connected when you’re apart, what behavior changes to expect, and what small, simple actions at home make a big difference in their classroom confidence.

This is the guide I wish every parent had, written from my years in the classroom and in the carpool line.

If you’ve already grabbed your copy and found it helpful, forward this post to a friend. School transitions are easier when we’re not doing them alone. Here’s a peek at the table of contents:

Back-to-School Survival Guide:

Every September for more than a decade, I sent three kids off to school. And every August, I felt the panic creep in. The backpacks that ripped. The water bottles and lunch boxes that came home untouched because they couldn’t get them open.

So I started paying attention. I figured out what worked and what didn’t, I compiled it with my own experience as a preschool teacher, and I started making notes. This is that list.

It’s a mix of what we used, what I recommend, and what I wish I had known earlier.

Before I started TWFC, I spent years in the classroom as a preschool teacher. I saw firsthand how tricky drop-offs, hard-to-open lunch containers, and too-big backpacks could create stress, not just for kids, but for teachers, too. What your child brings to school (and how independently they can use it) really does impact their confidence.

I watched kids feel proud when they zipped up their own jackets or got their lunches open without help. Those little wins add up.

Backpacks

What teachers wish you knew: Don’t buy something they’ll grow into, buy something that fits them now. When the backpack is too big, kids tip backwards. They trip. They fall. They spin. Get one that fits their body now.

Quick Tip: If your child is new to a backpack, let them play with it for a few days before school. Little kids love to carry stuff around. Let them take it to the grocery store with you and help carry items home. Let them play with it in their room, or pack a few things to go to Grandma’s house. The more familair they are with it, the more confident they’ll feel the first days of school.

• Tiny Flowers. Inexpensive and adorable. We used this one for preschool.

• Purple Backpack. I love a solid backpack, and you can let your kid customize with these patches.

• Carhartt Solid. My teen used this one. It holds everything and never looks dirty.

• Checkered print. This one is just cool. It’s lightweight and fun.

• STATE Bag. My 12-year-old has been using hers for six years. It’s been through the wash more times than I can count.

• Navy Stripe. This one is pricey, but well made. I don’t buy new backpacks every year, so I don’t mind the occasional investment. (Maisonette is offering free shipping and Maisonette is iffering 10% off your first order over $75 with code NEW10)

Water Bottles

What teachers wish you knew: Pick something your kid can open and close themselves. That alone will make everyone’s day easier. If it leaks or they can’t manage it, they won’t drink from it.

• CamelBak. Forever a fan of the camelback. I know, I know, they don’t stay cold and the bite-to-sip is not ideal for developing oral motor skills, BUT. It’s clear so their teacher can see if they drank anything, and I can see if any nasties are growing in there. And they make drinking easy.

• Stanley. Call me cliché, but I still love a Stanley. Especially when my teens abandon them and I declare them mine. They are elite at keeping ice icy. This one is spill proof.

• Simple Modern Rainbow. If I had a preschooler, there’s no way I could resist this rainbow one. It's so… happy! And Simple Modern is a quality brand and a more reasonable price point than some of the others.

• Hydro Flask Water Bottle Jr. This is ideal for preschoolers re: spills. They don’t need that much water, and they can always refill. The small size will keep their backpack light, which matters when your kid only weighs 32lbs.

• Owala Free Sip I love my Owalla, and it is the current water bottle of choice among my three kids.

Lunch Boxes

What teachers wish you knew: If they can’t open it, they won’t eat. Practice at home. Watch them open it. Let them use it at the park, camp, and the kitchen table. This helps more than you think.

Quick Tip: Make lunchbox practice fun! Have a dinner picnic at the park, everyone gets a lunch box. Don’t “save” that new lunch box for school. Use it as much as possible!

• PackIt Freezable. If you live somewhere hot, this is the best cooling box for lunch- but you actually have to remember to freeze it each night. So keep that in mind.

• GoBe Kids Lunch Box Spinner. This feels a bit “extra” in the best way. I definitely would have purchased this if it had been available when my kids were small.

• Bentgo Salad Container. These are for bigger kids. Starting around third grade, my kids loved taking salads in this. Still using it in high school.

• Yumbox Tapas. I bought extra inserts so I could swap them out and avoid hand washing at night. Life changing.

• PackIt Freezable Blue and White. I love this for school snacks because it’s not bulky and you can clip it to their backpack. Again, you have to remember to keep it in the freezer when not in use. (Bonus, I keep my sunscreen in one in the hot summer so it doesn’t get melty.)

• PlanetBox Stainless. These were gifted to us years ago, and I probably wouldn’t have spent the money.. Now, I recommend them so highly because they are the GOAT of lunch boxes. They wash so easily, last forever, and stand up to the test of time.

• Wildkins. Initially, this was a random Amazon purchase for me, but I guessed right! These lunch boxes hold a variety of sizes of bentos, and you can throw them in the washing machine. We used this brand for years.

Shoes

What teachers wish you knew: If they can’t tie them, don’t send them in them. Velcro and slip-ons are not lazy. They’re practical. And kids feel more confident when they don’t need help with every transition.

Quick Tip: When your child is starting to show interest in shoe tying, keep a shoe in the backseat of your car. Let them experiment with it while they ride in the car. I am planning an interview with an OT for my paid subscribers this fall to help with all things shoe tying, pants buttoning, and jacket zipping!

• Native Shoes. These are the shoes of childhood in my house. We wore them for three seasons a year.

• Velcro Sneakers. We used these for years. They’re affordable, stylish, and hold up.

• Black Adidas. So cool, and they go with everything.

• Sambas. If they can tie their shoes, these are it, especially when you pair them with unique shoelaces like these.

• Slip-On Vans. Easy. Cool. Comfy.

• The Hand-Me-Down Boots. The ones we pass between cousins because they’re stylish, timeless, and they just won’t quit.

School Clothes

What teachers wish you knew: Send them in things they can manage themselves. Pants that can pull down fast. Layers kids can get on and off independently. Zippers they can manage, or at least try. That’s more important than any trend.

Quick Tip: I learned this from a wise preschool teacher: Put a “magic hook” like the one below on your child’s winter coats, jackets, and sweaters. It makes hanging it in their cubby so much easier for little fingers. They feel more confident, and you get a cleaner jacket.

• Cherry Dress. $4.99. It’s adorable. Comes in other prints, but the cherries are it for me.

• Paper Bag Denim. Pull-on style is key for younger ones, and still stylish enough for older kids.

• Bike Shorts 2-Pack. Surprisingly good quality for the price point. Great for under dresses or on their own.

• Two-pack t-shirts that are this cute? Sign me up.

• Pull-On Shorts. Tons of color options.

• Oversized Zip Up Hoodie. For your “I don’t need a coat” kid. These run very oversized, size down.

• 5-Pack of Ts. Layer these all year long.

Attention Paid Subscribers: Stay tuned for my ongoing back-to-school series. Whether you have preschoolers or middle schoolers, back to school is a transition for the entire family. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing about the Mental Load + Invisible Work that goes into this transition, Routines That Don’t Collapse After Week 2, Behavior, Emotions + Transitions, Phones, Screen Time + Independence Anxiety.

If you aren’t a current subscriber on Substack, HERE is where you can subscribe.

That’s it. My no-fluff, battle-tested guide to getting your kids (and yourself) through back-to-school season with fewer tears, better gear, and a little more confidence. Steal what works for your family, skip what doesn’t, and if this helped even a little? Send it to a parent who’s staring down their own supply list and silently panicking.

If you loved this, tap the heart or leave a comment. It really helps more parents find their way here, and I love hearing what’s resonating with you.

Want to pass it on? Share this post with a friend. We’re all doing this together.

x. Lizzie

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