5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before My Kids' First Day of School

As a mom of three, I've done "first day of school" nine times now (yes, I counted). Here's what actually saves my sanity every single year:

1. Prep the backpack the night before — every single item.No exceptions, no "we'll grab it in the morning." Lunch box packed, water bottle filled, backpack by the door. The morning rush is not the time to discover a missing pencil case.

2. Label everything — and I mean everything.Water bottles, lunch boxes, backpacks, even jackets. With three kids swapping stuff constantly, labeled gear is the only reason I still own matching lunch boxes.

3. Do a "trial run" morning a few days before school starts.Wake up at the actual school-day time, do the full routine — breakfast, backpack, shoes, out the door. It sounds extra, but it removes so much first-day chaos.

4. Let them pick one thing.Their backpack, their water bottle color, their snack box design — one small choice makes the whole transition feel exciting instead of scary, especially for the younger ones.

5. Keep a "comfort item" in the bag.A favorite snack, a small note, a familiar bento box with their go-to lunch — something small and predictable in an otherwise new and overwhelming day.

At the end of the day, back-to-school prep isn't really about the supplies — it's about setting your kids (and yourself) up for a calm, confident start. A little planning goes a long way.

*Rebecca, mum of three - Dubai, United Arab Emirates