Nanny to Mommy

It’s that time of year again, fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the excitement (with maybe a few nerves) of a brand-new school year! Whether your child is starting preschool, heading into middle school, or venturing off to high school, having the right gear and essentials can make the transition smoother and a lot more fun.

In this Back-to-School Gift Guide, I’ve rounded up my favorite finds for students and parents, everything from practical must-have supplies and lunchbox favorites to tech tools and organization helpers that make daily routines easier. These picks are all about keeping everyone prepared, motivated, and maybe even a little excited for the year ahead.

So, grab your planner, sip that coffee, and let’s get ready to make this school year the best one yet!

Say goodbye to dinner dread with this all-in-one mealtime set designed for busy families. Quickly cook fresh veggies, pasta, and proteins in the microwave with the Medium Dishes, freeze perfectly portioned meals using the Anytime Freezer Trays, and reheat with ease in the Small Dishes. Everything is nontoxic, plastic-free, airtight, and safe for the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher. Perfect for picky eaters, busy nights, and giving parents a little extra free time.

One container, endless lunch possibilities, perfect for picky eaters and busy families. This bento-style container comes with three removable, leak-resistant dividers so you can separate solids and liquids with ease (no more peas touching potatoes!). It’s compact, crystal clear, BPA-free, and fits perfectly in select PackIt Freezable Bags. Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, it’s a smart, all-in-one solution for meals on the go.

Meet the MOD Bento Large Container from PackIt, your new go-to for organized, mess-free meals on the go. With three removable, leak-resistant dividers, this spacious container keeps foods perfectly separated, so picky eaters can rejoice (no more food touching!). Its streamlined design fits seamlessly into select PackIt Freezable Bags, and it is microwave, freezer, and top-rack dishwasher safe. BPA-free, shatter-resistant, and made for real-life messes, this is one container that truly does it all.

The new Dynamite Dinosaurs are the brand’s first-ever chocolatey cookie that’s shaped like your favorite dinos, ideal for making snack-time exciting and sparking after-school creativity. Besides being the perfect prehistoric addition to lunch boxes this school year, they’re also great for easy after-school snacks or additions to your weekend activities:

Dino Discovery Eggs: A fun after-school activity where kids can "hatch" their own dinos by breaking into colorful, marshmallow "eggs" with Mother's® Dynamite Dinosaurs™ Cookies in the center.

Dino-Mite Dessert Cups: Perfect for weekend treats or special lunch box surprises – kids can find layers of pudding, cake crumbs, and dinosaur cookies, just waiting to be discovered.

Lava Blast Brownie Bundts: These mini bundt-pan brownies are ready to erupt with sweet, colorful lava! Create your own edible landscape using extra brownie mix and let Mother's® Dynamite Dinosaurs™ Cookies roam through the delicious terrain while kids learn about volcanoes and prehistoric creatures.

Getting kids ready for a new school year can feel like juggling flaming pencils while balancing on a stack of lunchboxes—but with a little prep, you can make it a lot smoother (and maybe even fun!). Here are some tried-and-true tips to help your family start the year organized and stress-free.

1. Create a Command Center

- Designate a space in your home for all things school-related.

- Use wall hooks for backpacks and jackets.

- Have a basket or folder for permission slips, homework, and newsletters.

- Add a whiteboard or calendar to track events, assignments, and extracurriculars.

2. Do a Morning Routine Dry Run

A week before school starts, practice your morning schedule, waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and getting out the door. This helps everyone adjust to earlier mornings without the first-day panic.

3. Set Up a Lunch Prep Station

Keep lunchboxes, reusable containers, napkins, and water bottles in one easy-to-reach spot. Pre-portion snacks like fruit, crackers, or granola bars into grab-and-go containers so kids can help pack their own lunches.

4. Stock Up on Extra Supplies

Nothing derails homework like realizing you’re out of pencils at 8 p.m. Buy extras of the basics, pencils, glue sticks, paper, and keep them in a labeled bin.

5. Use Color-Coding for Each Child

Assign each child a color for folders, binders, and storage bins. This makes it easy to spot whose items are whose at a glance (and prevents the “That’s mine!” debate).

6. Prep Outfits for the Week

On Sunday, set out five outfits for the week (including socks and accessories) so there’s no last-minute scramble over what to wear. Hanging sweater organizers work great for this.

7. Establish a Homework Zone

Set up a quiet, well-lit space for homework with all necessary supplies within reach. Try to keep distractions, like toys or electronics, out of the area.

8. Plan Easy Weeknight Meals

The first few weeks of school are exhausting. Keep a list of quick dinners (think sheet pan meals, slow cooker recipes, or freezer-friendly casseroles) so you can spend less time cooking and more time adjusting to the new routine.

9. Teach Kids How to Use a Checklist

Whether it’s for packing their backpack or completing morning chores, checklists help kids stay on track and take ownership of their responsibilities.

10. Make the First Day Special

Even small touches, like a handwritten lunchbox note, a special breakfast, or a quick photo, can make your child feel excited and confident heading into the new school year.