Back-To-School Shopping: 13 Struggles That Are All Too Real For Parents

Save us from the velcro shoes.
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September is on the horizon and not only does that mean you need to re-establish the sleep routine that has been destroyed over the summer, but you also need to think about sending your kids back to school.

No one enjoys the dreaded shopping list, (least of all your bank account), and if you don’t get it sorted quickly it can take over your entire summer holiday.

Here are 13 struggles parents face when back-to-school shopping.

1. Being unable to comprehend that it is nearly September again.

2. Wondering how they have managed to lose everything from last term. 

3. Regretting being so spend-happy with all the summer days out. 

4. Being convinced that the shops are worse than on Christmas Eve. 

5. Trying to work out the best time to go to avoid seeing all the other parents from school. 

6. Analysing the school supplies list to see what you can totally ditch. 

7. Waiting for the inevitable fight about which shoes you’re buying. 

8. Thinking about all the nice stuff you could buy yourself for the same price. 

9. Handing over money for something you know won’t fit them in six months. 

10. Maintaining your poker face when you tell them an XL blazer is definitely their size. 

11. Falling into a black hole of stationary purchases. 

12. Being unable to remember why you allowed them to buy three types of glitter pen. 

13. Finding all the new purchases under the sofa in the first week of term. 

Before You Go

Back To School Stationery 2017
Wave Pencil Case(01 of21)
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The essential item to hold all stationery in one place. Paperchase has so many different patterns, but this brightly-coloured piece stood out for us.
Price: £7.
Buy: Paperchase, click here.
(credit:Paperchase)
Pack Of 12 Pencils(02 of21)
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A pack of 12 pencils with eraser nibs - essential for your child's pencil case.
Price: £1.
Buy: Tesco, click here.
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Pack Of 24 Coloured Pencils(03 of21)
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No pencil case is complete without a set of coloured pencils. This set has 24 shades and is a bargain at under a fiver.
Price: £3.99.
Buy: WHSmiths, click here.
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Mini Stationery Set(04 of21)
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We love this back to school mini set from M&S including many of the essentials: A stapler, sellotape, scissors, sharpener, plastic clips and a pencil.
Price: £5.
Buy: M&S, click here.
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Tropical Large Pencil Case(05 of21)
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If your child has coloured pencils as well as pens to fit in their pencil case, maybe go for a larger one? We absolutely love the print on this tropical-themed zip-up case.
Price: £12.95.
Buy: Ohh Deer, click here.
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Scented Highlighters(06 of21)
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A fun addition to your child's stationery hoard - and they'll be useful if your son or daughter is in secondary school and has a lot of reading to do. Oh, and they're scented!
Price: £3.50.
Buy: Smiggle, click here.
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Handwriting Pens(07 of21)
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These pens have an ergonomic grip and quick-drying ink, so are great for kids in the later years of primary school.
Price: £2.99.
Buy: Cult Pens, click here.
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Gel Pens(08 of21)
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Gel pens have the power to make homework more interesting. These fine-pointed pens start from £1.
Price: From £1.
Buy: MUJI, click here.
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Doodle Notebook(09 of21)
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Depending on whether your child is in primary or secondary school, they might find having a spare notebook handy. A great place to store homework notes, deadlines and important dates at school.
Price: £3.95.
Buy: Ohh Deer, click here.
(credit:Ohh Deer)
Compact Maths Set(10 of21)
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If your child is heading to (or already at) secondary school, it's extremely likely they'll need a maths set. This handy compact case has a ruler, protractor and compass, along with a sharpener, too.
Price: £1.49.
Buy: Ryman, click here.
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Eraser Set(11 of21)
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It's so much more fun when rubbers are colourful and different shapes. These six rubbers fit in a pineapple-shaped box.
Price: £1.75.
Buy: Wilko, click here.
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Pukka Pad(12 of21)
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If your son or daughter is studying different topics in secondary school, they might find it useful to have a project notepad that will separate out sections for different subjects.
Price: £5.33.
Buy: Staples, click here.
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Personalised Pencils(13 of21)
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Does your child have a birthday before they head back to school or do you want to get them a treat? These personalised pencils aren't cheap, but they are fancy. 12 in a pack.
Price: £11.99.
Buy: Dotty About Paper, click here.
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Double Sharpener(14 of21)
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It's small, practical and cheap.
Price: 35p.
Buy: Morrisons, click here.
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BiC Biros(15 of21)
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Just like pencils are a staple in the pencil case, so is a pack of standard biro pens.
Price: £1.50.
Buy: Asda, click here.
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Pritt Stick(16 of21)
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Always handy - whether they're sticking worksheets into their books or doing crafty projects, you can't go wrong.
Price: £2.
Buy: Asda, click here.
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A4 Folder(17 of21)
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This folder comes in a range of colours. It's great for storing worksheets, ideas for a project or revision notes.
Price: £1.25.
Buy: Wilko, click here.
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Sticky Notes(18 of21)
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These sticky notes can be helpful to mark important pages in books, write down little reminders or make a homework page look even more interesting.
Price: £3.50.
Buy: Paperchase, click here.
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Scientific Calculator(19 of21)
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A must-have for secondary school students for GCSE maths (and no, we don't know what all the buttons mean anymore, either).
Price: £11.99.
Buy: Casio, click here.
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Design Your Own Diary(20 of21)
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Some secondary schools provide diaries/planners for the pupils, and some don't, but they're helpful for putting in homework deadlines and lessons. TOAD diaries allow you to completely customise how you want your planner to look, including the start month, the words on the front and how the week looks.
Price: £12.36.
Buy: TOAD Diaries, click here.
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All In One School Box(21 of21)
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Would you rather get everything in one big package? Postboxed has created a back to school gift box including a notepad, pencil, colouring pencils, a pencil case AND sticky notes. Oh and it's free delivery.
Price: £25.95.
Buy: Postboxed, click here.
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