Hi, I'm Kayla Bowers. I'm a Tennessee based Mom who who enjoys sharing my experiences with homesteading, gardening, our cabin life, marriage, and authenticity.

Chaos of Back-to-School Shopping: A Parent’s Survival Guide

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As I sit down to write this blog post, I realize how little I’ve blogged this summer. Life has been a whirlwind, and the summer has flown by faster than I imagined. It feels like just yesterday we were planning beach trips and starting our garden. From gardening projects, beach trips, and zoo adventures to a big birthday celebration for my son and countless pool days, our summer has been nothing short of magical.

But now, here we are, gearing up for back-to-school season. You know the drill: the endless lists of supplies, the hunt for deals, and the inevitable last-minute rush. Let’s dive into the chaos that is back-to-school shopping and share some laughs, tips, and my top picks for places to snag the best deals.


The Never-Ending Supply Lists

Oh, the school supply lists. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent hours deciphering the differences between a 1-inch binder and a 1.5-inch binder, all while trying to keep track of who needs what. Multiply this by two or more kids, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a headache.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is to start early. As soon as those lists come out, I begin the hunt. This not only spreads out the cost but also helps avoid the last-minute frenzy when stores are picked clean (last year).


Making It Fun (Or Trying To)

To keep the kids engaged and maybe even excited about back-to-school shopping, anyone could try to make it an adventure. Turn it into a scavenger hunt of sorts. Each kid gets a copy of their list, and hit the stores. The goal is to find everything on the list as quickly as possible. This could turn what could be a stressful chore into a fun activity.

Of course, there are always those elusive items that no store seems to have in stock. For those, I turn to online shopping. Sites like Amazon, Target, and Walmart have become lifesavers, offering a wide range of supplies that can be delivered right to our doorstep.


Top Places to Shop for Back-to-School Deals

In-Person:

  1. Walmart: Great for a one-stop-shop experience and usually has unbeatable prices.
  2. Target: Stylish supplies and often has great deals, especially with the Target Circle app.
  3. Staples: Fantastic for bulk supplies and often runs back-to-school sales.
  4. Dollar Tree: Perfect for basics like notebooks, pens, and folders.

Title: Navigating the Chaos of Back-to-School Shopping: A Parent’s Survival Guide


As I sit down to write this blog post, I realize how little I’ve blogged this summer. Life has been a whirlwind, and the summer has flown by faster than I imagined. It feels like just yesterday we were planning beach trips and starting our garden. From gardening projects, beach trips, and zoo adventures to a big birthday celebration for my son and countless pool days, our summer has been nothing short of magical.

But now, here we are, gearing up for back-to-school season. You know the drill: the endless lists of supplies, the hunt for deals, and the inevitable last-minute rush. Let’s dive into the chaos that is back-to-school shopping and share some laughs, tips, and my top picks for places to snag the best deals.


The Never-Ending Supply Lists

Oh, the school supply lists. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent hours deciphering the differences between a 1-inch binder and a 1.5-inch binder, all while trying to keep track of who needs what. And it’s not just the supplies—school clothes, backpacks, and lunchboxes are also on the list. I’ve found that Temu is a fantastic place to find fun and cheap options for these items.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is to start early. As soon as those lists come out, I begin the hunt. This not only spreads out the cost but also helps avoid the last-minute frenzy when stores are picked clean.


Making It Fun (Or Trying To)

To keep the kids engaged and maybe even excited about back-to-school shopping, I try to make it an adventure. We turn it into a scavenger hunt of sorts. Each kid gets a copy of their list, and we hit the stores. The goal is to find everything on the list as quickly as possible. This turns what could be a stressful chore into a fun activity.

Of course, there are always those elusive items that no store seems to have in stock. For those, I turn to online shopping. Sites like Amazon, Target, and Walmart have become lifesavers, offering a wide range of supplies that can be delivered right to our doorstep.


Top Places to Shop for Back-to-School Deals

In-Person:

  1. Walmart: Great for a one-stop-shop experience and usually has unbeatable prices.
  2. Target: Stylish supplies and often has great deals, especially with the Target Circle app.
  3. Staples: Fantastic for bulk supplies and often runs back-to-school sales.
  4. Dollar Tree: Perfect for basics like notebooks, pens, and folders.

Online:

  1. Amazon: Extensive selection and convenient delivery.
  2. Walmart.com: Often has online-only deals that you can’t find in stores.
  3. Target.com: Great for finding those exclusive items and benefiting from online promotions.
  4. Office Depot: Offers a good variety of supplies and frequent sales.
  5. Temu: Fun and affordable options for school clothes, backpacks, and lunchboxes. Check out Temu and use my referral code – ⭐️Click the link https://temu.to/k/410fb81e to get 💰$100 coupon bundle or ⭐️ Search fav50473 on the Temu App to get 💰30% off discount! !🛍️ Enjoy Free Shipping ✅ and Free Returns within 90 days ✅
  6. Etsy: Perfect for personalized items like custom backpacks, lunchboxes, and even gifts for teachers. There are so many unique and creative options that add a personal touch to back-to-school shopping

Temu affiliate links:

1pc 33.81 oz Lunch Box With Tableware For Office Workers, Square Divided Microwave Oven Bento Box, Leakproof Food Container, Hand Wash, For back to school, class, college, school supplies, kitchen organizers and storage, kitchen accessories
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Girls “Back To School” Strawberry Pencil Print T-Shirt Casual Round Neck Ruffled Sleeves Tees Top Kids Summer Clothes
👉 EXTRA 30% OFF❤️
🎉 Exclusive deal[$0.35]
👉 item link: https://temu.to/m/ucn6egc0qos
⚠️ Every New App User can only enjoy once

1pc 16.23oz Leakproof Cartoon Water Cup – Portable Water Bottle With Straw For Outdoor Activities
👉 -99% off discount+EXTRA 30% OFF❤️
🎉 Exclusive deal[$0.19] -99%
👉 item link: https://temu.to/m/uxlhtm2ltvp
⚠️ Every New App User can only enjoy once

Amazon affiliate links:

https://amzn.to/46e5XA9

https://amzn.to/4fgpV1d


Reflecting on Summer

As we check off the last item on our school supply lists, I can’t help but reflect on how quickly summer has passed. We’ve had such a wonderful time gardening, going to the beach, swimming in the pool, exploring the zoo, and celebrating birthdays. These memories are what make the transition back to school bittersweet.

But now, we’re ready. Ready for new adventures, new challenges, and a new school year. To all the parents out there navigating the back-to-school madness, I salute you. We’ve got this!


Wishing everyone a smooth and successful back-to-school season! How do you manage the back-to-school chaos? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

With love,

Kayla (Katie Bee)

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