We are five days in on our "in person" back to school for Sophia and Stella. So far, things are going well and are improving each day. Huge shout out to Holy Family School for their hard work and creativity during the coronavirus pandemic. For all the mommas that are getting ready to send their kiddos back to school, here are a few tips and a great story about Capri Sun.
Morning Prep Station
We shared in our "An Anxious Back to School" post about the great mask station that the YouTube This is How We Bingham family had set-up for their kids for back to school. We love this idea. They have drawers with different size masks and a mesh bag for dirty masks that can be tossed right in the laundry.
We shared in our "An Anxious Back to School" post about the great mask station that the YouTube This is How We Bingham family had set-up for their kids for back to school. We love this idea. They have drawers with different size masks and a mesh bag for dirty masks that can be tossed right in the laundry.
I'm using a bin for my morning prep. I have the thermometer for the temp check before we head out the door, plenty of clean masks, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen. Our school is taking the kids outside for some of their classes and the kids need to wear sunscreen to school every day. I'm a fan of the Light as Air Banana Boat sunscreen, great sunscreen for the kids the wear all day at school! The bin has helped me stay organized and has helped remind me of the things to do before we jump in the mini-van.
Extra Masks
While we've just started school, I've quickly realized we need lots of masks. The kids need to wear a mask to school and have a spare mask in their backpacks. With the August heat, classes outside, and lunchtime, the girls are switching to their spare masks during the day. Stella told me this morning she likes to switch her mask after lunch to "feel fresh." It must get hot for the kids. I'm now packing two spare masks in case they need a back-up mask for the back-up!
We are trying out lots of masks to see what works best for the girls. We had picked up some great, light weight kids masks at Target this summer and those are working well. Target has some new kids masks with very cute fabrics and the wire over the nose. I picked some up and they are great but seem to be cut a bit smaller than the masks earlier this summer. I also just picked up some cute masks to try out from Old Navy, Stella gave the mask a thumbs up this morning. I also ordered some other kids masks on-line but the masks are smaller than the pictures on-line.
While we've just started school, I've quickly realized we need lots of masks. The kids need to wear a mask to school and have a spare mask in their backpacks. With the August heat, classes outside, and lunchtime, the girls are switching to their spare masks during the day. Stella told me this morning she likes to switch her mask after lunch to "feel fresh." It must get hot for the kids. I'm now packing two spare masks in case they need a back-up mask for the back-up!
We are trying out lots of masks to see what works best for the girls. We had picked up some great, light weight kids masks at Target this summer and those are working well. Target has some new kids masks with very cute fabrics and the wire over the nose. I picked some up and they are great but seem to be cut a bit smaller than the masks earlier this summer. I also just picked up some cute masks to try out from Old Navy, Stella gave the mask a thumbs up this morning. I also ordered some other kids masks on-line but the masks are smaller than the pictures on-line.

Water
Buy the big water bottles! Drinking fountains are likely turned off in your school. The kids are allowed to keep water bottles on their desks. We were also told that water bottles with straws are easier for the kids to use with the masks. (Makes my heart catch a bit when I think of all the things the kids are navigating.) Stella and Sophia love these water bottles that I ordered from Amazon. There are a bunch of fun colors. The girls have liked having these big water bottles on their desks and they are encouraged to drink water to stay hydrated while wearing masks.
Buy the big water bottles! Drinking fountains are likely turned off in your school. The kids are allowed to keep water bottles on their desks. We were also told that water bottles with straws are easier for the kids to use with the masks. (Makes my heart catch a bit when I think of all the things the kids are navigating.) Stella and Sophia love these water bottles that I ordered from Amazon. There are a bunch of fun colors. The girls have liked having these big water bottles on their desks and they are encouraged to drink water to stay hydrated while wearing masks.

I also need to give a shout out to CAPRI SUN! They are donating 5 million filtered water pouches to schools in the Chicagoland area and Granite City, where the factory is located, since drinking fountains are turned off. What an incredible way to help during such challenging times. Check out the great Capri Sun posts on social media, they are so funny with their "we're sorry it's not juice" campaign. I'm appreciative that Capri Sun stepped up so quickly and is helping so many kids! Awesome job Capri Sun!
Good luck mommas as you send your kids back to school! Share your tips with us on how you are navigating back to school and these unusual times with your kiddos. We are cheering you on! Stay safe!
Good luck mommas as you send your kids back to school! Share your tips with us on how you are navigating back to school and these unusual times with your kiddos. We are cheering you on! Stay safe!