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“Next year, I’ll be more prepared and have everything together weeks before school starts,” says me, the back-to-school procrastinator.

I tell myself this same overly used statement every school year and what happens?

I missed the shipping window of my favorite online retail store, or, all the uniform shirts are way too big or small when I go into the store and I have to dig thru the leftovers!

“Not again,” I say. (Psst…I know I’m not the only one this happens to because I see you in the stores digging, too!)

Well, I’m prepared this year to meet each stores’ deadlines with the deals and the shipping windows so I can have my son’s stuff back in time before school starts.

Can you believe that Summer is almost over, officially, that is. Because in Texas, it always feels summerish.

We just had the end-of-school awards ceremony and now we are gearing up for back-to-school.

While it is the kids’ first day of school, it’s the first day for us (parents) as well because we do all the prep work and groundwork to make it all happen. Parents are just magical like that.

To help relieve that back-to-school stress, here are eight ways that will help you prepare for the craze that’s about to happen!

1. Order School Supplies

Going from store-to-store to try to find requested school supplies is like going on a hunt for food! Everything is all picked over, the stores are packed, lines are long and 9 times out of 10, you and a parent or in need of the same item for your child – but, there’s only one item left – who will end up with it? Ha! It’s like the Hunger Games y’all and I’m not here for it.

Have it all delivered to your doorstep…no crowds…no long lines…or you can pick up at the store and save on some shipping fees.

2. Food Prep

I think I can safely speak for all parents when it comes to the spiked grocery bill during the summer months. The kids are home all day, therefore, they are hungry every 15 minutes.

Check out the comments from one of my in-a-rage Instagram posts. Other parents were definitely feeling my frustration.

Side Note: Don’t judge the contents in my cart, y’all! This was just for one week, and there are some healthy items under those corn dogs (you’re really checking to see, aren’t you?)

During the school season, instead of eating the school’s cafeteria lunches, sometimes my son wants a packed lunch from home, so I went on Pinterest and found this pin and video of easy-peasy lunch ideas:

Make the purchases lighter on your wallet by using coupons (affiliate link). I’m not an extreme couponer, but I do like to find deals and cut coupons when I can.

3. Staycation

As mentioned in #2 with food prep, a spike in your grocery bill can cause a decrease in your entertainment budget.

I actually canceled some of my entertainment junkie subscriptions (bye, HULU…among others!) just so I can add to the grocery coverage for this summer.

I need a break from work and the home life and I know my son wanted to have an epic summer vacation, so I came up with the idea of having a staycation.

Get all relaxed and unwind before the Back-to-School Craze!

• We can do fun things at home like make it a movie night and have all the movie treats
• Play board games/fun, family battles
• We have a neighborhood pool so we can make it a summer pool fest and grill burgers and hot dogs
• Go to a waterpark

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There are so many ideas and Groupon (affiliate link) is one of my favorite money-saving websites to visit to get great deals on local attractions.

4. School Clothes

Get school clothes now before you’re stuck in the store picking leftovers, dealing with the aggressive and impatient crowd. Online shopping is lit! I can get a variety and a vast selection.

As of late, my son’s dress code has changed, which allows more freedom of what he can wear. Because wearing cool clothes is cool, right? He’s about to go cool-crazy with graphic tees!

Once the clothes are shipped, I make sure they fit, wash them and then iron a week’s worth of clothes and hang in his closet.

This idea for the clothes tag from Pinterest is so cool and easy. Follow my Kidspiration board! This will be a newly-added task for the BTS prep.

5. After-School Snack Station

As we talked about in #2, kids love snacks, especially during the summer months and after school. They are looking forward to that after-school snack, not homework. Snack is definitely on the brain.

And the word “snack” is now my least favorite word. I think I hear that word at least six times per day.

To avoid the snack rush, I set up a snack station. My son goes straight to the snack station without having to nag me about it every 5 minutes, it’s self-serve. Oh, and there are limitations – only 1-2 snacks allowed before dinner.

6. Homework Station

Something new that I am also adding is a homework station. I believe it is important for kids to have a quiet desk/nook where they can focus. I know some kids have desks in their rooms, which is good, but I think it can be distracting when they are trying to focus on homework.

I suggest a homework station. Something as simple as a round or rectangular table, a comfortable chair, and some school supplies, will work out just fine.

7. Planner

As your kids get older, so does the number of activities they are involved in. Being a parent includes being an organizer. Whose keeping up with all the chaos?!

In my case, my son plays basketball and now football and used to be apart of the band and God knows what else he will sign-up for (robotics, maybe?!)

I’m a full-time working mother, so I need reminders all around me so I don’t forget his practice dates, appointments, haircut appointments, etc. (and mine too!)

Although I love digital reminders, like the calendar on my phone, sometimes I have to see things on paper – old school style.

These planners by Erin Condren (affiliate link) are the absolute best! And the fact that they are so cute and chic, makes planning easier and stress-free.

8. Pray

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

I am a God-fearing woman and all aspects of my life involve prayer. I pray about my career, my health, my strength, my family – you name it, and I pray about it.

My same prayer ritual happens when my son is off to a new school year. My son is now accustomed to pray every night before he closes his eyes.

With all the recent mass shootings, I do a double dose of prayer. This is what works for me and my household.

I hope these tips can help you gear up for a successful back-to-school craze. Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Drop them in the comments.