Complete back-to-school guide

Even if you'd probably love to stretch the holidays out a little longer, we have to face facts: back-to-school will be knocking at our door very soon! And to be well prepared, start by taking the time to print and display this handy checklist, which will help you make sure you forget nothing before the big day!

The famous packed lunches

If you're like us, you're probably dreading having to start packing your kids' lunches every day again! To help, here are a few recipes that will slip perfectly into the lunch box, plus ideas for lunches you can put together quickly when your alarm clock didn't go off one morning or you're simply short on inspiration! 

Cold lunches:

• Greek pasta salad
• Waffle skewers
• Orzo salad
• Tomato and bocconcini salad
• Two-melon couscous
• Dill potato salad

Recipes that are perfect for the thermos:

• Meatballs in rosé sauce
• Mini meatloaves
• Macaroni with meat sauce
• Chili sin carne
• Veggie shepherd's pie
• Macaroni with lentils

Did you get up late? Don't feel like cooking a whole recipe just for your kids' lunch? Always keep this handy printable within reach so you have ideas for foods to put together that will make a tasty, nutritious lunch in no time!

The Belles Combines tip? Take advantage of this printable to build your kids' independence by asking them to put their own lunch together from this list! This label stuck right onto their lunch box will also let them make sure they haven't forgotten anything! 

Finally, to make packed lunches more fun and add a little touch of magic now and then, why not include a funny note designed especially for the lunch box? We offer a few here, but don't hesitate to write your own! 

Not to mention those famous snacks

We know your kids need not only a packed lunch every day but also two snacks! So here are a few perfect recipes, quick to make and free of nuts and peanuts, that will fill all those little hungry tummies!

• Oatmeal and dried fruit cookies
• Mango, peach and apricot granola bars
• Yogurt, cranberry and chocolate muffins 
• Dried fruit squares
• Fruit and vegetable compote
• Fruit protein smoothie

And, in no particular order, a few snack suggestions that will surely keep both your little ones and your big ones going!

• A piece of fruit (apple, pear, orange, grapes, banana, etc.)
• Raw veggies (carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers, etc.)
• Cheese (cubes, string cheese, spreadable cheese, etc.)
• A granola bar or a cookie
• Crackers
• Dried fruit
• Yogurt
• Fruit compote
• Plain popcorn
• A muffin 

Renewing the wardrobe

Has your child grown again since last year, and their fall and winter clothes no longer fit? To help you renew their wardrobe efficiently and avoid unnecessary purchases, take the time to fill out this printable, which will surely give you a valuable helping hand when you go shopping!

Ah, homework...

Soon, there's no escaping it, the homework routine will be back in full swing! To prepare for it and make sure your kids are independent when it's time to do their schoolwork, the homework independence station is the tool you need! Put everything your kids need into a bin or a rolling cart so they can work at their best, without constantly having to hunt for their supplies all over the house! And because we like making things easier for you, we've listed all the items that should go in it in this printable. (To easily access this printable at any time on your phone, download our Octave app!) Remember to take inventory at least twice during the year to make sure nothing has gone astray along the way!

Our assorted tips for keeping kids focused

• Make sure the work area is uncluttered and tidy
• Vary the tasks to hold your child's attention
• Break the work into several small steps and make a checklist of the tasks to complete
• Encourage learning through play
• Take regular breaks, especially during long work sessions
• Use a timer to set a clear time limit for homework time
• Work in a quiet environment

Our assorted tips for homework that isn't a drag

To review vocabulary words:

• Write them on a window, a dry-erase board or the bathroom mirror
• Trace the letters in sand or on a plate filled with flour
• Spell them out with magnetic letters on a board or the fridge
• Play hangman
• Spell the words while jumping on a trampoline or running around the house

To review math:

• Review the multiplication and division tables using dice, dominoes or playing cards
• Cook recipes to learn fractions
• Play board games that involve counting 
• Count with cereal, macaroni or candies  

Important school information

You know all that important information to hang on to that you're given at back-to-school time? Never lose it again with this checklist, which you can keep within reach in your family organization binder. Don't have the binder yet? Get it right now or simply post the sheet on your family dashboard! 

Are you more the type to note everything on your phone, so you always have your lists and important information within reach and can easily share them with the other members of your family at the same time? Find all the lists mentioned here and more, ready to use, on our Octave app!