Dealing with back-to-school: Tips for working parents

It’s time to stock up on BIC pens, wrap textbooks, and go hunting for those missing lunchbox Tupperware lids – back-to-school season has officially arrived!

The start of a new school year is always exciting, but for many working parents, it also brings the return of juggling work, family, and endless to-do lists.

January can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning, managing the school season can be less stressful.

Plan Ahead

Don’t let the last-minute scramble for uniforms, lunches, books and other school supplies creep up on you. Shop back-to-school deals as early as possible. List out everything your child needs and tick items off as you go. A monthly calendar can help you stay on track with important dates like the first day of school, teacher meetings, and sports trials. Seeing everything laid out will keep you from feeling blindsided by the unexpected.

Share the load

Parenting is hard enough without trying to do it all on your own. If you have a partner or other support, divide the responsibilities. See if you can arrange for someone else to handle morning drop-offs while you manage pick-ups, or vice versa. Take turns making school lunches, shopping for school lunches and helping your child with homework.

Create a routine

Children do well with structure, and a good routine can make the back-to-school transition much easier. Plan mornings so there’s enough time for your child to eat breakfast, get dressed, and pack their bags without feeling rushed. In the afternoons, carve out time for homework, some play, and a regular bedtime to keep everyone on track.

Stay organised

With so much happening, organisation is key. Use scheduling apps or a family calendar to keep everyone on track. Even small tools like whiteboards, sticky notes, or pens can help you organise your child’s school day. Take the BIC 4 Colours Pen, for example. Assign each colour a purpose — blue for school events, red for work deadlines, green for errands, and black for general notes.

Budget smartly

From school fees to uniforms and stationery, back-to-school supplies can be expensive. To avoid unnecessary stress, set a budget and stick to it. Look for second-hand uniforms and textbooks, or shop during sales to stretch your rands.

When it comes to stationery, brands like BIC offer high quality at affordable prices. And they go one step further: through the Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen campaign, every pen you purchase helps provide essential resources to learners in need. Since 2012, this initiative has donated over 16 million pens to underprivileged students across South Africa.

Teach kids responsibility

Encourage your children to step up and help. Younger children can pack their own schoolbags or set out their uniforms the night before. According to research published in Parenting Science, children who take on age-appropriate responsibilities tend to feel more capable and are better at handling challenges later in life. Older children can use planners or apps to manage their schedules. Apps such as MyHomework, Google Calendar, or MyStudyLife can help them track assignments, extracurricular activities, and deadlines.

Don’t over-commit

You might feel drawn to volunteer for the parent committee, head up the cake sale or coach the netball team. But only commit if it genuinely fits how you want to spend your energy. If you have extra cash but little time, consider contributing financially to cover expenses. If you’ve got free afternoons but not the budget to spare, offer to assist with a school event or be a field trip helper. Say yes with purpose. If you can’t, leave the sign-up sheet alone.

Set boundaries at work

It is crucial to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Communicate with your employer and colleagues about your availability throughout the back-to-school season. Setting expectations can help keep work from interfering with family time. If you work remotely, establish a distinct workplace at home to separate work and family activities.

Celebrate the wins

Did you survive the first week of school without too much drama? Celebrate. Did your child complete a challenging homework assignment? Celebrate that, too. Recognising small victories keeps everyone motivated and reminds you that you’re doing a great job.

Shop BIC back-to-school essentials

With dependable quality, thoughtful designs, and a commitment to making a difference, BIC helps take some of the pressure off parents and turns back-to-school prep into a chance to give your kids the best start possible. From pens and pencils to highlighters and markers, BIC products tick all the boxes. They are affordable and built to last, so you don’t have to worry about stationery falling apart halfway through the term. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, BIC has everything you need for back-to-school.

Beyond delivering exceptional quality, BIC is committed to making a meaningful difference.

One of South Africa’s most significant education challenges is that over 41% of children who start Grade 1 drop out before reaching matric, with a lack of resources playing a big role in this shocking statistic. BIC has teamed with organisations like Zero Dropout to improve school settings, mentor students, and offer them the resources they need to succeed.

Your small purchase has a big purpose through Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen – every time you buy a specially marked BIC product from leading retailers like Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers, Spar and TakeAlot, BIC donates a pen to students in need. Together, we can turn statistics into success stories, one pen at a time.

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