EXCLUSIVE: Sally Obemeder shares the best advice she received as a school mum
It's a game-changer.
Hooks and baskets: Set up a bag hook and basket station for each child near the front door. This needn't be expensive. Places like K-Mart and Ikea have some great-looking options. Have the kids place their bag on the hook and their school shoes, hat and any other paraphernalia in the basket when they get home from school. That way you know where to find things like lunch boxes and school notes each evening and no-one is desperately running around the house trying to find shoes and bags in the morning. Image: Supplied.
Terrific tea bags: Freshen up smelly shoes with dry mint tea-bags - they soak up the odour and scent them! You can use any lovely smelling tea but mint is especially good for counteracting that stinky foot smell. In warm weather or for particularly active kids, popping fresh tea-bags in school and sports shoes each evening could help prevent odour by soaking up sweat before it really settles in. Image: Supplied.
Shop early: Buy any uniform needs and especially shoes early - December or early January ideally. The Fit experts at The Athlete's Foot can ensure you allow some wiggle room but not too much (this is very important for foot health). It's best to allow the kids to run and play in their new school and sports shoes a few times before school goes back. This should prevent any complaints about stiffness and gives you a chance to arrange inner soles or specific socks if needed to prevent rubbing and ensure a snug fit. Image: Supplied.
Bathroom checklist: List things like "Brush teeth", "Sunscreen" and "Hair up" on the bathroom mirror in whiteboard marker. There can be no excuses for the kids not to be clean and prepped when the checklist is literally in front of their face! Annabelle loves ticking off the list as she goes. Image: Supplied.
Lone socks no more: Place a cork board in your laundry and when a lone sock appears pin it to the cork board. That way when another lonely sock appears somewhere in the house (or car, or sports bag...!) you know exactly where to find its partner. Image: Supplied.