A great way to transition your favourite pair of shorts into Fall is to add a sweater and a button top. It’s one of my favourite looks for Fall and Winter. I like this combination because it keeps you warm allowing you to still wear shorts. On Monday I wore my jean shorts with a pink sweater layered over a fitted boyfriend shirt.

Shorts (Reitmans). Sweater (J Crew). Button Shirt (Gap). Shoes (Steve Madden). Purse (J Crew). Bracelet (Gigglosophy). Watch (Michael Kors).

Back to school for most of us starts in just over a week and I thought I would share how to make mornings easier for both moms and kids. We all could use a little help. I’ll take anything I can get to make things easier :).

1. Pack lunches the night before. My son is still in preschool, so I don’t have to pack lunches yet, but next year will be a different story. Since I like to pack many different things for my son for snacks when we go out, next year I’m planning on buying a Bento box for my son. A bento box allows you to pack many different foods in small plastic containers that all fit nicely together into one bigger container. It’s good for the environment, makes packing lunches easier and helps decrease the cost of buying those plastic sandwich bags. A great site for ideas for packing lunches is Easy Lunch Boxes. They’ve got tons of different lunch ideas. Below I’ve posted different examples of Bento boxes. Prices range from $16.54-$29.97.

Bento Boxes

Amazon/ Fenigo/ Fenigo/ Chapters

Get your kids to help, even if they’re little. Get them used to helping with their own lunches and maybe that will help them eat their lunches at school. If they can pack what they like (within reason), they may be more inclined to eat it. It also makes it easier for you as well, packing it at night, to not be so rushed in the morning.

2. Pack their backpacks the night before. Packing their backpacks the night before will hopefully prevent instances where you are scrambling in the morning to find your child’s book or notebook. Get them to help. It teaches them to be responsible for their own things as well as a bit of organization.

3. Keep each child organized with their own calendar/white board and back pack hook. I saw this on Pinterest a while ago and thought it would be a great idea for those parents who have more than one kid. I know that with even with one kid how busy our Family calendar is.

4. Organize your kids clothes in everyday of the week slots. I saw this on a few different blogs and on Pinterest and the idea is to organize your kids clothes the week before for that following week. Each outfit is placed in according days of the week. It teaches your child the days of the week giving them a bit more autonomy and allowing you the chance to get dressed yourself.

5. Set kids clocks 5 mins ahead and wake them up 10 mins before they need to be up. By setting their alarm clocks 5 mins ahead (don’t tell them), it hopefully ensures that you get out of the house on time. Also waking them up 10 mins before they need to be up hopefully again ensures that you’re out the door on time.

6. Wake up 30-60 mins before the rest of your Family. This gives you a chance to enjoy your cup of coffee before the morning chaos begins. It also gives you a chance to mentally prepare for the day ahead. (I need to do this!!!!!)

7. Get yourself a big Mom’s Calendar. I purchased one just after my son was born and I’ve bought one every year since then. They are fabulous. They are big, allowing lots of room to write in activities, they also come with stickers. I love them and I can’t live without mine. It keeps me organized and keeps my husband informed as to what and when we have appointments and activities. Costco has a few great ones to choose from. Below is what our family calendar for September looks like.

8. Get your kids to shower/bath the night before. Again anything to make things easier in the morning for everyone.

9. Set out your outfit the night before. I know this sounds anal but it works, that way in the morning you’re not scrambling to find an outfit. You’re also not looking in your closet like I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!!!!!” and your bedroom ends up looking like a tornado went through it.

10. Get your kids to help!!!!!! Even if your kids are little, it’s never too early to start getting them to help. I know that it’s easier when you do it and faster but it’s a great way to get them used to doing things for themselves.

There you have it everyone, my top 10 ways to make back to school easier for both mom and kids.

May this blog inspire you to look at ways you can make mornings easier for you and your family and to find a way to transition your favourite shorts to Fall.

Don’t forget to link up this Thursday for my weekly Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday Link Up. I’ve got a great announcement regarding the link up, so definitely stop by .

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Happy Wednesday Everyone!!!!!!