Back to school: Why sleep struggles rise before school. A new survey shows 83% of parents argue with children about sleep schedules. Meanwhile, 82% worry about bedtime routines after the holidays.
The ‘robot return’ and other genius tricks to get kids sleeping before school
Expert tips for calmer nights
Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, shares simple hacks. Move bedtime earlier by 15 minutes each night. Use morning light to reset the body clock. Swap evening screen time for puzzles or Lego. Offer sleep-friendly snacks like peanut butter on toast or carrot sticks with hummus. Create a fun bedtime checklist so kids enjoy ticking off steps. Try the “robot return” for late-night excuses. Calmly walk children back to bed without talking.
Make mornings easier
Martin says a small routine shift helps kids wake up refreshed and ready to learn. Parents who start five days early will enjoy calmer mornings and sharper focus at school.
Taming the back-to-school butterflies: 6 expert tips for school separation anxiety
Why separation anxiety matters in September
Over 500 children a day in England face school anxiety referrals in 2025. Separation anxiety affects one in 20 pupils. It can resurface during school transitions like reception or secondary school. Parents must act early to spot the signs.
Education specialists at Explore Learning share strategies for easing stress. Symptoms include refusal to attend, clinginess, stomach aches, or fears about loved ones. Triggers often link to new routines, academic pressure, or parental stress. Parents should set consistent sleep patterns and morning rituals. Comforting notes, safe adults at school, and open communication all help. Children of all ages also benefit from self-soothing boxes, fidget toys, or mindfulness techniques.
Helping children feel confident going back to school
Charlotte Gater, Head of Education at Explore Learning, explains how structured support can transform anxiety into school confidence. Families who prepare in advance see calmer mornings and happier learners.
Back to school ready: the simple habit that supports children’s focus and energy
Why hydration matters for school success
As the new term starts, hydration helps children stay alert, focused, and energised. Water boosts concentration in lessons and supports stamina during after-school clubs.
How air up® supports children
air up® transforms plain water into a flavourful drink using scent-based pods. This clever design encourages children to drink more without sugar or additives. Each reusable bottle reduces plastic waste and adds fun to daily hydration.
The Click makes hydration easy
The Click bottle opens with one click, making sipping simple. Compact and portable, it suits school bags and busy routines. Priced from £29.99, each bottle includes three pods. Families can choose from seven colours and 28 flavours, from Lime to Orange-Passionfruit.
A healthy habit for families
air up® gives children a stylish and sustainable way to stay hydrated every day, building energy and focus for the school year ahead.
Smarter lunchboxes: expert tips to cut waste and keep kids happy
Why lunchbox choices matter
Parents often pack the same snacks and sandwiches, but this creates boredom, waste, and sugar crashes. UK households threw away 6 million tonnes of food in 2022, with most still edible. Families lose around £1,000 a year, while wasted food generates huge carbon emissions.
Richard Price shares lunchbox solutions
British grocery expert Richard Price from Britsuperstore says small swaps help reduce waste and improve nutrition. Try wraps, pittas, or rolls instead of plain bread. Add colourful veg like carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Replace crisps with rice cakes, and sweets with raisins or flapjacks. Pack smaller portions to match appetites. For drinks, encourage water or diluted juice with fruit slices for flavour. These simple changes keep lunches exciting, cut costs, and make mealtimes more enjoyable.
Smarter habits for families
Richard explains that variety, balance, and portion control stop food waste and help children stay energised all school day.
Preparing children for their first day of primary school
Why preparation matters for school readiness
Starting primary school feels exciting yet daunting for children. New teachers, routines, and classmates can overwhelm little ones. Parents can ease the transition with simple steps that boost confidence.
M&S shares helpful advice for families
M&S highlights practical ways to prepare children. Involve them in choosing uniforms and school bags to build belonging. Let them practise packing bags so they recognise their belongings. Positive conversations about teachers and timetables help children look forward to school life. Practising the school run during the summer removes uncertainty and builds excitement. Playdates without parents encourage independence and ease separation worries. Parents can also support practical skills, like changing into PE kits or managing shoes, to build daily confidence.
Supporting happy and confident learners
M&S explains that early preparation encourages independence, reduces anxiety, and makes the first day a positive milestone for the whole family.
Gear up with Temu for back to school
Smarter shopping for families
September means new routines, fresh classrooms, and the rush for school essentials. Families across the UK now shop with Temu to save money, enjoy next-day delivery, and find everything from stationery to backpacks.
Bright supplies and budget wins
Children love bold lunch bags, colourful notebooks, and fun stationery. Temu also helps parents cut costs with bundles and budget-friendly options. Local sellers, such as Leeds-based Money Cruncher, now meet growing demand, offering quick delivery and unbeatable value.
Confidence for every learner
University students choose Temu for laptops desks, calculators, and chic backpacks. Teachers find classroom organisers, stamps, and colourful markers to keep lessons inspiring. Even young fans can enjoy magical Hogwarts-themed must-haves for a touch of fun.
The smart way to start September
Families prepare with confidence, knowing Temu offers variety, savings, and fast delivery for every stage of school life.
Back-to-school scam warning for UK parents
Rising costs drive risky online shopping
Parents in the UK face average back-to-school costs of £329 per child, a 70% rise from last year. Many turn online to cut costs, but scammers are exploiting this demand with fake websites and social media ads. These scams trick families into sharing card details and personal data without delivering real products.
Trend Micro urges vigilance
According to Trend Micro, 60% of Brits spend longer hunting deals during peak shopping moments. Over a quarter click links in promotional texts, and 15% receive suspicious back-to-school offers. Trend Micro’s Lynette Owens advises parents to stick to trusted retailers, avoid “too good to be true” discounts, and discuss scam awareness with children. Scam detection tools such as Trend Micro Scamcheck with Scam Radar help identify risks across websites, calls, and texts.
Protect families this September
Parents can prepare for school with confidence by combining smart shopping, open conversations, and strong security tools.
Podiatrist shares tips for school shoes
Expert advice for parents
Back-to-school shoe shopping often feels overwhelming. Parents want comfort, durability, and proper support for growing feet. To help, Kickers teamed up with Steven Thomas, The London Podiatrist, who reviewed the Kickers Kick range for fit, structure, and quality.
What to look for in school shoes
Thomas recommends a structured sole with flexibility over the big toe joint, adjustable fastenings, and a roomy toe box. He suggests drawing around your child’s foot on paper, then comparing this template in-store to check the fit. Parents can also use Kickers sizing charts for accuracy.
Comfort and savings combined
He highlights rubber soles for shock absorption, breathable materials, and secure fastenings for all-day comfort. Parents can shop with 10% OFF at Kickers using code THELONDONPODIATRIST until 31 September 2025.