Back to School - It's Time to Label Up

Name Labels and Christmas, for me, go hand in hand. Once Christmas is over and the relatives have disappeared it's time to 'Labeling-up'.

Being a parent is all about planning. It's getting to know the routine and making sure that everything is organized around this. This means that at specific times in the year - nearly always around school holidays I take stock of all the children's clothes and whether they need the next size up. And if they do, I make sure that there is a name label attached.

This may all sound a bit over the top I know. But I have spent too many times looking around and routing about for my children jumpers, shoes and the like.

In one year and I'm not kidding, my child managed too loose, 3 jumpers; 1 coat; 3 socks; he came home with some other child's shoe, a fleece and 1 pair of pants.

Now, I did manage to find those items. But it took time.

In many ways it is like a 'find my [fill in the blank] App. This is a low-tech option for those parents that want their children's stuff to be retuned to them.

So if you do find yourself in the planning mood before the new terms starts here is our 5-point plan to get you going.

Make a list

Men are terrible at list writing. I think they have an allergic reaction to it. But it is essential. And that list needs to include all the clothes and either needs replacing or labeling up.

The next size

This is a phrase that only applies to parents. It feels like a never ending cycle of new clothes coming into the house. The phrase "the next size up" is so common now that my 5 year old understands it perfectly. And someone times uses it to her advantage. The things girls do for clothes!

Buy your labels in advance

Now this really depends on your current skills. In that I mean, are you good with a needle. If you are needle proud then you can buy and stitch in traditional woven labels. Now these labels you don't tend to see often but they are still available. They will have your child's name stitched into them.

Alternatively if you don't have those skills then sticky ones will do just as well.

Don't forget spares

Children's clothes and their stuff get so much ware. And boys clothes, in our house at any rate tend to get muckier and worn out quicker. This means from time to time labels fall off. So it's handy to carry a few spares. Just in case of emergencies.

Half term start again

As parents there are so many instances where you have to learn as you go and for me this has meant there is a continuing cycle around each half term. It's not quite the circle of life... more like the circle school life.