Back to School

It may seem a little odd to discuss getting the children prepared for school as soon as summer term comes to a close. After all there's six weeks to get everything sorted. But we all know what it's like. The summer holidays drift idly by, and suddenly it's the last few days of August and we're battling with a hundred other Mums and Dads, desperate to get our hands on fresh school uniform and sourcing all important stationary items and lunch boxes for the new school year.

Early preparations for the new school year will save you a shopping headache later on, leaving you free to enjoy the long summer holidays with the children

Avoid the Rush

Many clothing retailers encourage parents to shop early by tempting them with special offers on school uniform. So, by shopping late July or early August, not only are you offered the luxury of uncrowded shopping aisles; you can also save money! To get the most for your money, seize on those '3 for 2' or 'Buy 1 get second half price' offers

Shoe Shopping-Keeping One Step Ahead

Shopping for children's shoes requires a certain level of patience and understanding! Here is a test most parents would prefer to delay until another day: standing in a semi-orderly queue waiting for your number to be called in a busy shoe shop on a boiling hot August afternoon with disgruntled children who defiantly refuse to try on any shoes unless they display flashing lights or have high heels. So how can you avoid such a scenario

The best time of day to shoe shop is late afternoon, as feet can swell by up to 8% in a day. Opt for a store which employs experienced shoe fitters who have been trained to measure children's feet properly. Both feet should be measured; sometimes one foot is larger than the other. If your child has different sized feet, buy shoes that allow the extra room for the larger foot and place an inner sole in the shoe of the smaller foot. Be careful never to buy shoes that are too small, in the hope they will stretch. If shoes squash your child's feet and look uncomfortable, put them back on the shelf.

To check if the shoe fits, get your children to wiggle their toes. There should be at least a half-inch of space for growth between the tip of the big toe and the top of the shoe. Finally, be prepared to compromise mildly on style. There's no point buying shoes they consider untrendy, and simply will not wear. See if you can come to an agreement to find that happy medium—sensible shoes that are fashionable. For foot health advice and useful information on buying shoes visit www.feetforlife.org.

Give it a Label

According to a recent survey, the average family spends £59 per year replacing lost property for children. So not only is a lost jumper at school an inconvenience to parents: the cost of replacing items obviously accumulates over time. But, as parents, our preventative measures go to waste. We mark or label each item of uniform clearly at the beginning of the school year, only to find the labels fall off in the washing machine or else that the 'indelible' ink fades after a month or so. There are plenty of businesses that offer iron-on, sew on or self-adhesive labels, sometimes in a variety of funky colours. The crucial question to ask is "Are they durable or will they dissolve in the washing machine?"

Top Up Education in Summer

Falling behind on schoolwork can dent any youngster's confidence, making it difficult for them to start the Autumn term with a positive approach. Extra 'top up' tuition during the school summer holidays can bring children up to speed, without any time constraints or added pressure. There are no tests or SATS to prepare for, there is no homework to be handed in and they don't have to work as quickly as that extra bright boy in their class. They can simply catch up with the work at a pace that is suitable for them.

Parentline Plus top tips to help your child settle smoothly back to school

Start finding your routine again towards the end of the holidays. Getting back to school-day bedtimes is a good place to start. Then it will not be such a shock when term starts again.

Try to prepare in advance. Then you won’t be in a panic buying uniforms and so on at the last minute; this way you can shop around for the best deals.

If you are particularly concerned and feel that your child is dreading the return to school, contact Parentline Plus on 0808 800 2222. They will turn a non- judgmental ear towards any worried parent.