Back to School Essentials

So you’ve bought everything on the booklist, stocked the pantry and made their uniforms crisp and clean. But amidst all the preparation, it’s easy to forget a few things, and we often don’t realise they needed them until it’s too late (think sunscreen). In today’s C&G blog, we’ve assembled the checklist that comes after the checklist – because when it comes to heading back to school, you can never be too organised.

The Road Safety Talk

It’s worth putting this simple chat on your checklist. With some drivers still in holiday mode, not everyone will have remembered that the 40km school zone limit is back in place, and children should remember to stay ultra-vigilant around the roads. Read the TAC’s tips for teaching children traffic safety here. 

Healthy Eating

It can be hard to provide healthy lunchboxes everyday, and even harder for children whose mates are chowing down on choccie mousse and chips every lunchtime! Find healthy recipes online and aim to try a variety of different foods for the first couple of weeks, to see what works. Treats are OK, too, but it’s important to make sure they remain treats and not habits. Check out author Amanda Haas’ top tips here. 

Slip, Slop, Slap

Hopefully, your children will be on top of their Sunsmart game from the summer holidays, but it never hurts to remind them about the dangers of UV. The Sunsmart app allows users to check how much sunscreen to apply (and when) based on their height and weight, as well as providing the latest information from the Bureau of Meteorology. Put the responsibility in their hands! Download it here.  

Made it through the first week? Reward the family with a taste of Melbourne’s best pizza. Motorina in Elsternwick, Cucina & Co in Brighton and La Svolta in Hampton all made Broadsheet Melbourne’s shortlist, and it’s the perfect opportunity to check in on how the first week went.