back to school
Back to School with Batch Cooking Tips and More
Managing the school day schedule can be daunting. After school activities and commitments take up our days. We drive to soccer, dance, piano lessons, the orthodontist and birthday parties to name a few. By the time we settle at home, it’s time to quickly get the kids bathed, fed and put to bed. There is […]
How to Prepare the Family for Back to School
It is “back to school season” across the country. While some students return at the start of August, others don’t return until the Wednesday after Labor Day, and everyone else, sometime in between. Regardless of the start date, the are ways moms can help with the transition from summer fun to school fun. As moms, […]
Back to School Haircut at Cartoon Cuts
Back to School Haircut at Cartoon Cuts A back to school haircut is a right of passage. Moms & Dads across the country head out to get the summer hair “mops” trimmed and ready for the 1st day. This year we were invited to visit Cartoon Cuts for our end of summer trims. Find the […]
Back to School Dental Routine with Infographic
Back to School Dental Routine with Infographic Pencils, check. Ruler, check. Notebooks, check. Toothbrush, check. Yes, adding dental hygiene items to the back to school list is a must. Be sure your child’s dental routine is all set for a new school year. Back to School Means Back to Routines Most parents are probably thinking […]
Fundraising Tips to Raise Cash for Schools
There are the tried and true ways of fundraising at school. We hold bake sales, candy sales, wrapping paper sales, and even host the yearly school bazaar. These methods are certainly effective in their own way, but there is so much more that parents can do to raise money for schools throughout the year. Are you trying […]
How to Contact Paper Books
This post contains affiliate links. Please note that purchases made through links on Smarty Pants Mama help support the site. Thank you. The pile of books are sent home. Your kids place them on the table. You know what that means. You have all the school supplies purchased, which includes a roll or two of […]
School Supplies List Shopping Now for Later
The school supplies list arrives in our inbox sometimes even before school lets out. It lingers there until we frantically rush to the stores or head online and alas buy it all. If not done in a Smart Mama way, getting through the school supplies list can be become rather costly, especially if you have […]
Back to School Haircut Supporting the Underprivledged
It’s on every mom’s to-do list, a back to school haircut. We start the year with polished shoes, fresh uniforms, white socks and of course, a haircut. This year we returned to Hair Cuttery. We wanted great cuts and to be part of a great cause – the Share-a-Haircut program. What is the Back to School Share-A-Haircut […]
How to Polish Penny Loafers
Problem: How do I polish penny loafers? Smart Mama Solution: Read my experience and follow the steps I’ve shared. We saved money this back to school season by polishing last year’s penny loafers. Yes, her foot grew over the summer, and yes, her loafers were pretty beat up after last school year. But this family […]
Share a Haircut at Back to School
It’s time to Share a Haircut at back to school! We’ve got paper, pencils, backpacks, and now haircuts! As part of the back to school routine of kids across the country, boys & girls are lining up at hair salons to get their hair trimmed for the new school year. We are partnering with Hair […]
Buying School Supplies
Grab every deal you can and stock up on all those supplies that your kids will need this month, this year, this decade and beyond. Yes, school supplies don’t “expire.” Pencils bought this year can still be sharpened and used next year or even in 5 years. Anytime you see common school supplies get discounted […]
Creating a Homework Station
The school year is in full swing! Many of you have started your new school year and others will begin soon. Regardless of your start date, it’s crucial to prepare your kiddos for success. Yes, you need the school supplies, early bedtime and uniforms or school clothes. What you also need is a spot that […]
Back to School for Moms, Too!
It isn’t just time for the kids. Moms and Dads enjoy back to school time for a variety of reasons. Back to school for moms may mean more time for mom to have mom-time. The kids are occupied all day, I mean yes, they’re learning, and mom is running around doing stuff! We’re all on […]
It Takes a Village, Donating School Supplies
It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to get him/her back to school, too. Donating School Supplies to the Village As parents we rely on one another to raise our children. We rely on friends to help with carpool, babysitting, keeping up with what’s due when, cheering on the soccer […]
3 Hair Styles for Girls
I like things SIMPLE. I don’t have the time, energy or desire of spending too much time doing my daughter’s hair. I want them to look cute and put together – the look of the knotted crazy hair isn’t what I’m looking for. Keeping their hair out of their face is most important. On top […]
100 Books to Read in a Lifetime, Children’s Book Edition
Regardless of the time of year, having the good books accessible to your children is important. This list of the 100 Book to Read in a Lifetime was put together by Amazon. It is a list of classic books that every kid should read or have read to them. Some of the books are intended for […]
Establishing a Bedtime Routine
These last 5 weeks have been filled with wonderful opportunities to travel. While we’ve seen some beautiful lands, eaten scrumptious food and met incredible people, we have not maintained a “normal” bedtime routine. That’s ok, because we were on vacation. Actually, kids need the sleep and routine no matter where they are! Lesson learned! Now […]
HOT Deals in Office Depot Circular
The Sunday paper arrives and stacks of deals await to be picked through. One of my favorites is the Office Depot circular! Right now with their phenomenal #BackToSchool deals, like 1¢ folders or 25¢ pencil sharpeners, I know its still time to stock up on all those school supplies that don’t expire. Remember a folder […]
FREE Rewards Program for Teachers at Office Depot
Teachers: Don’t buy another school supply item until you’ve signed up for the FREE Rewards program for teachers: the Office Depot Star Teacher Rewards program! You’ll earn points that will earn you FREE supplies! School time means school supply time! We all stock up on paper, pencils and crayons to put in the backpacks and keep […]
Creative Ways to Use Tape with Kids
Enter your local Office Depot store and you’re bound to find a tremendous display of the 3M Expressions Tape. I entered our local store recently with my girls and they were instantly drawn to this display. The colors and patterns were so captivating. They wanted every roll. There are so many ways to use tape with […]
5 Reasons to Love Office Depot Rewards
I am participating in the #ODRewards campaign sponsored by Office Depot. For more information, about Office Depot Rewards, visit their website. There are loads of reward programs out there. Some are certainly better than others. I have recently fallen in love with the Office Depot Rewards Program! This back to school season I have been loading […]
5 Back to School Items for Kids in Uniforms
Yes, many of our children are dressing in a plaid skort, collared shirt and school issued socks. But, back to school shopping isn’t just uniforms. Children wearing uniforms to school still need to stock up on many clothing items for before, during and after school. I was recently invited to go back to school shopping […]
Back to School Fashion on a Budget at The Children’s Place
The Back to School fashions at The Children’s Place are affordable, practical and stylish. Moms can depend on The Children’s Place for clothing for newborns to tweens, from summer to winter and everything in between. Remember how impressed I was with the savings on the fedora hat this past spring? Well, the savings are just as […]
When School Ends, the Day Just Begins, Guest Post by Alexis, The Exhausted Mom
Today I welcome Alexis Prieto, the infamous Exhausted Mom, to share how she manages her exhausting life! She’s a mom we can all relate to, and her posts always make me feel less stressed when I see how she manages with kids, work and a traveling spouse! If Alexis can do it, so can I! […]
Rock ‘N Learn Videos are Excellent Tools for Back to School Learning
Reading, writing and arithmetic. That’s the focus. Homeschooling, back to school or even just entertainment in the car DVD player – moms are searching for fun ways to educate their children. What can YOU do to support your pre-school or elementary aged children as they embark on a new school year? It’s important to keep it […]
Back to School Time – 5 Ways to Make Your Morning Run Smoothly
On your mark. Get set. GO! Back to school time is here! Some of us have started. Some are anxiously waiting. Regardless, we all spend these weeks transitioning into the new school time schedule. It’s nerve-racking, but being a Smart Mama can increase your chances of a successful morning! Here are 5 ways you can […]