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Back-to-School Blues

A Parent’s Guide to the First Day Back-to-school season has a funny way of sneaking up on parents. One minute, you're wondering how you're going to fill another long summer afternoon. The next, you're labeling water bottles, hunting for matching socks, and wondering how your little one is suddenly old enough to walk into a classroom without you. Whether this is your first time sending a child off to school or you're trying to get multiple kids out the door on time, the start of a new school year can bring a lot of emotions with it. And yes, parents are allowed to have back-to-school blues, too. If It's Your First Time, Give Yourself Time to Adjust There's a first for everything: the first day of daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and eventually the first day they don't even turn around to wave goodbye. If you're feeling emotional about the transition, you're definitely not the only one. Instead of trying to brush those feelings aside, create something to look forward to after drop-off. Grab coffee with another parent. Take the long way home. Plan a favorite dinner for that evening. Your routine is changing, too. If You Have Multiple Kids, Simplify Where You Can When you have more than one child, back-to-school mornings can feel less like a sentimental movie moment and more like a race against the clock. Someone can't find their shoes. Someone suddenly remembers they need to bring something to class. The baby needs a diaper change exactly when everyone else needs to leave. A little preparation can make mornings feel more manageable. Try laying out outfits the night before, keeping backpacks and shoes in one designated place, prepping lunches ahead of time, and giving yourself a few extra minutes during the first couple of weeks. You don't need a picture-perfect morning. You just need a routine that works for your family. Give Each Child Their Own Moment When schedules get busy, it's easy for the day to become a checklist. Wake up. Get dressed. Eat. Shoes. Backpack. Car. Go. Try finding one small opportunity to connect with each child during the transition. It could be a special note tucked into their lunch, five minutes together after school, or a simple question at dinner. And instead of only asking, "How was school?" try something more specific: What made you laugh today? What was the best part of your day? Did anything surprise you? Sometimes the smallest questions lead to the biggest conversations. Don't Forget About the Little Siblings Along for the Ride Older siblings aren't the only ones adjusting. Babies and toddlers may suddenly find themselves waking up earlier, spending more time in the car for drop-offs and pickups, or having naps shifted around a new school schedule. Give everyone a little grace while your family's new routine settles in. If your baby is joining you for the school run, having a clear view of the backseat with your Tiny Traveler can also add a little reassurance to an already-busy morning — especially when you're juggling multiple kids. Create One Back-to-School Tradition That's Just Yours It doesn't have to be elaborate. Take the same first-day photo every year. Get ice cream after school. Make pancakes for dinner. Let your child choose the music on the drive home. Kids grow quickly. Creating one small tradition gives everyone something familiar to return to as each new school year begins. You're Adjusting, Too Back-to-school content tends to focus on helping kids prepare for change, but parents are going through a transition right alongside them. Maybe this is the first time you've regularly been away from your child. Maybe you're returning to work. Maybe you're figuring out how to manage a newborn and a preschool schedule simultaneously. Or maybe you're just wondering when your baby became a big kid. Whatever this season looks like for your family, you don't have to have the new routine figured out on day one. Give it time. And if this isn't the only transition happening in your house right now, you may also enjoy Going Back to Work While Breastfeeding? Let's Talk About the Part Nobody Prepares You For — because sometimes the biggest changes in our kids' routines are big changes for us, too.

15 Screen-Free Summer Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Easy Screen-Free Summer Activities If you've ever reached for a screen during a long afternoon with a toddler, you're definitely not alone. As parents, we've all had those moments. It's hot outside, nap time didn't quite go as planned, and you're running out of ideas to keep your little one entertained. While there's certainly a time and place for screens, summer can be a great opportunity to slow down and enjoy some simple, hands-on activities together. The good news? Babies and toddlers don't need elaborate plans to have fun. Some of their favorite activities are often the simplest ones. Here are some of our favorite screen-free summer activities that encourage curiosity, movement, and plenty of smiles along the way. Bubble Chasing Never Gets Old There must be something magical about bubbles because babies and toddlers seem to love them no matter how many times they see them. Whether you're in the backyard, at the park, or visiting family, bubbles are an easy way to encourage movement and play. Watch your toddler run after them, clap as they pop, or simply stare in amazement as they float through the air. It's simple entertainment that can keep little ones engaged longer than you'd expect. And the best part? A bottle of bubbles takes up almost no room in your diaper bag. Just make sure it's sealed off in a separate baggy or the cap is unopened so there's no bubble leakage. Turn Water Play Into an Adventure You don't need a pool or a fancy water table to create summer fun. Some of our favorite water activities include: Filling a small bin with water and cups Letting toddlers "wash" their toys Playing with measuring spoons and containers Splashing feet in a shallow basin For babies, even supervised play with a small amount of water can be a fun sensory experience. Just remember to stay close and supervise at all times around water, no matter how shallow it may be. Go on a Nature Walk Together One thing we've learned as parents is that toddlers are often more interested in the journey than the destination. A short walk around the neighborhood can turn into a full adventure when you slow down and see the world through their eyes. Look for: Birds Flowers Butterflies Interesting rocks Different colors and shapes You can even create a simple scavenger hunt by asking your toddler to help find something green, something round, or something that makes a sound. Bring Story Time Outdoors Sometimes changing the location is all it takes to make an everyday activity feel new. Grab a blanket, a few favorite books, and head outside. Reading under a tree, at a park, or even on the front porch can make story time feel like a special summer event. Babies love hearing familiar voices, and toddlers often enjoy books even more when they're paired with a change of scenery. Create a Simple Sensory Bin Sensory play doesn't have to be complicated. A few easy ideas include: Dry pasta Large pom-poms Kinetic sand Water-safe toys Scoops and containers Sensory bins encourage exploration, creativity, and independent play while helping little ones learn through touch and movement. As always, choose age-appropriate materials and supervise closely. Have a Backyard Dance Party When all else fails, turn on some music. Some of our favorite summer memories have come from spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, backyard, or living room. Babies love bouncing to music, while toddlers enjoy showing off their best dance moves. It's an easy way to burn energy, share a few laughs, and create moments that feel surprisingly special. Screen-Free Fun During Summer Travel Road trips and family vacations can make screen-free entertainment feel a little more challenging, but we've found that simple activities often work best. A few travel favorites include: Reusable sticker books Board books Busy boards Window spotting games Coloring activities Favorite stuffed animals One game our toddlers always seem to enjoy is looking out the window and pointing out trucks, animals, colors, or interesting landmarks along the way. Sometimes the world outside becomes the best entertainment of all. Enjoy the Little Moments One of the things we've discovered as parents is that children don't usually remember the perfectly planned activities. They remember the bubbles in the backyard. The walk where they found a funny-looking rock. The dance party before dinner. The stories read under a shady tree. These simple moments often become the memories that stick. And if you're looking for places to enjoy some of these activities this summer, be sure to check out our guide to the Best Summer Day Trips for Babies and Toddlers for more family-friendly adventure ideas. Summer doesn't have to be packed with elaborate plans to be meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is a little fresh air, a little imagination, and a willingness to see the world through your child's eyes.