Mabel’s Labels has been around for over 20 years and is the expert in kids’ name labels. This time of year, the Back-to-School label combos are one of the top items parents want to purchase. But where do you begin? We’ll break down the best school labels to make your back-to-school label shopping easier!

Firstly, Mabel’s School Combos have great features!

-100% satisfaction guarantee!
-Waterproof!
-Laundry safe!
-Dishwasher safe!
-Microwave safe!
-Free standard shipping on all orders!

The Ultimate Back-to-School Label Combo:  

40 Small Rectangle Labels
70 Tag Mates Stick on Clothing Labels
16 Round/Shoe Labels (That’s 8 pairs of shoes!)

This is a National Parenting Award Winner, for good reason!

Design your perfect labels. With over 60 cute icons, 8 different fonts and a variety of color palettes to select from, you’re sure to find labels that perfectly suit your kids’ style.

Buy this label pack if…
Your kids have a lot of school supplies, lunch boxes/ bags, and clothing that you want to ensure it returns home again!

The Little Kid School Combo:     

40 Small Rectangle Labels
70 Tag Mates Stick on Clothing Labels
16 Left-Right Match-up Shoe Labels (That’s 8 pairs of shoes!)

Parents of Little Kids heading to school for the first time really love this label pack! The left-right shoe labels make it easy for kids to a) find their shoes, but also b) put them on their correct feet! This feature is great, as kindergarteners are often left to put their own shoes and jackets on. You don’t want your kids spending the day in mixed-up shoes!

At this age, just seeing their name on labels helps them stay organized; often, their items are new, and it can be confusing what’s theirs, so labels help with name recognition but helps them stay organized. Seeing their name on things gives them a sense of pride in their stuff, and they’re more likely to care for it.

Buy this label pack if…
Your little one is just starting school and learning to put their shoes on. And if they need to label their clothing, school supplies and lunch items.

The Middle School Label Pack: 

40 Small Rectangle Labels
70 Tag Mates Stick on Clothing Labels
16 Round/Shoe Labels (That’s 8 pairs of shoes!)

Too cool for school? This may be the Label pack you need! These labels have all the same great labels included in the Ultimate, but in more mature designs to suit older kids and their stuff.

The designs include terrazzo, camo, tie-dye, geometric 90’s geometric, and so many funky, subtle, and trending designs that they can match to their water bottles, phone case and more.

The small labels included in this pack are great for chargers, electronics and other high-ticket items your tweens and teens are taking to school that you definitely don’t want going missing!

Buy this label pack if…  
Your kids are starting to get embarrassed to be with you, then this label pack is probably perfect. Let them select the labels based on what will match their stuff!

The Basic Back-to-School Label Pack: 

10 Large Rectangle Labels
16 Small Rectangle Labels
6 Shoe Labels (3 pairs)
21 Tag Mates Stick On Clothing Labels

Have labels left over from last year (one complaint Mabel’s Labels sometimes hears is that each pack has too many labels, can you have too much of a good thing??). The solution to this is this basic pack, a great way to top up your existing labels.

This pack comes in icon-free labels with a selection of 32 color palettes, so whichever existing label pack you have, you’ll be able to match the color and top up your labels easily!

If you’re looking for just a few labels, this product can be the perfect stand-alone product that still provides laundry-safe, waterproof, dishwasher-safe labels. This basic pack is intentionally short on labels, but it certainly doesn’t fall short on quality!

Buy this label pack if…  
You have some labels left over from last year and weren’t planning to buy another large pack, buuut you also may also run out; it’s the perfect solution to top-up your existing label pack so you don’t fall short.

Bag Tags: 

These plastic tags are perfect for identifying backpacks, gym bags and more. Pick a design to match your labels. The Mini Tags are great for pencil cases, lunch bags and boxes. The mini tags make great zipper pulls for when your little kids struggle with zips! So many parents chose to add these to their Little Kid Label Packs.

Buy these tags if…
Your kids have look-a-like backpacks that you don’t want to go missing!

School Uniform Label Pack:

This label pack is great if you have school uniform items that need labeling. Uniforms are great, but the look-a-like items make them easy to mix-up and go missing, so this label pack of Tag Mates and Shoe Labels will prevent that from happening.

Buy this Label pack if…
You have look-a-like uniform clothing that needs to be identified!

The Custom Clothing Stamp:  

A top seller! The quickest and easiest way to stamp clothing. This multi-award-winning product is a favorite with parents!

Pro tip: These are GREAT for labeling underwear for your little ones when you’re still potty training and need to take lots of pairs to daycare or kindergarten.

Tag Mates Stick On Clothing Labels:

Included in all combos, these little clothing labels are laundry-safe and loved by all! They are also known as mini labels and work great for identifying chargers and smaller items. Many parents like to add these to their order to use them in multiple ways!

When applying them to clothing tags, you must remember that they attach to the tag itself and not directly to the fabric. After applying, wait 24 hours before putting your items in the laundry.

Sending a little one off to daycare? Check here for what to pack and how to label it all!

The post How to Label for School: A Breakdown of the Top-selling Name Label Packs appeared first on The Mabelhood.

First, parents may begin to see behavior changes in their anxious or sensitive kids this time of year. Kids may start to ask a lot of questions about the new year (which is particularly difficult when you don’t have the answers for them).   

Some signs they may be struggling with transition to a new class or school:

• They may begin to talk back or seem angry
  Many emotions and thoughts rush through them, which can be daunting, and they often can’t recognize the root of the problem or know how to regulate those emotions, resulting in anger or lashing out. Remember that behind every behavior is a feeling.
• Showing physical signs
  They may have headaches or tummy aches. This is common, and while these are anxiety symptoms, it’s important to remember not just to treat the headaches but to address the anxiety, which could help relive the physical symptoms.   
• Withdrawal
  If your outgoing child suddenly seems to be withdrawing, they may be overthinking and experiencing anxiety. 

Remember that keeping the lines of communication open is one of the best ways to work together with your child to ensure that you can help them. The key to a successful transition is open lines of communication. Don’t do the work for them; teaching them how to work through it is what will provide them with long-term success. Keeping your child accountable for their part in the process will allow them the greatest success.

Don’t allow your own anxieties to get in the way.

For some parents, it’s common to suffer from anxiety too. Watching our children struggle can bring out our insecurities and fears. Remember that What makes you anxious may not affect them the same way. Be mindful not to project your insecurities onto them. Show confidence and excitement about the new year (gently, without shame). Get yourself organized so you feel prepared and therefore less anxious.

Focus on what will remain the same

Find what will be the same. Perhaps they’ll enter the school through the same door each morning or travel on the bus with the same kids. Find the similarities and focus a lot on those. 

Validate their feelings

Allow them to talk openly about how they feel. Validate those emotions. Resist the urge to make your child’s feelings disappear. Instead, help them to identify and express their feelings. Don’t sweep them under the carpet; this will teach them that their feelings are shameful. We want to encourage our kids to recognize, identify and talk about their feelings. Another good way of doing this is to lead by example. If you’re nervous about a new situation, tell your child and let them know how you’re dealing with those fears.  

Allow room for stress, and recovery

Setting our kids up for success (not only with the new school year but by providing life skills for the future) means teaching them self-care. Make sure they get a good night’s sleep. Take breaks when needed and keep expectations low in the beginning.   

Build a new routine slowly

Start by making a list of what school supplies will be needed, then allow them to sit with that for a day or so. Then go shopping. Talk through the morning routine together, let them sit with that, then a few days later, walk through it together. Slowly add tasks and changes when you notice a decrease in their anxiety.

Do a walkthrough

If your child is nervous, try doing a run-through so the first day of school, your child is already familiar with the routine. First, discuss what the new routine will look like, then walk it through. This also helps parents plan for timing. Nothing exasperates anxiety by rushing your child on the first day of school. So, a dry run will allow your child to become familiar with this part of the transition and help parents with time management to eliminate some of the chaos and rush.

Here are more ways to help with back-to-school nerves. Always to reach out for support if you feel unable to help your child, or they show signs of being in crisis.

The post Anxious Kids; Transition Tips for Starting a New School Year appeared first on The Mabelhood.

1) Buy only what you need.

Before buying everything you need, check with the teacher and request a supply list. Perhaps you don’t need to buy as much as you think. So save your money and only purchase what the teacher requests. If you’re eager to start, check out these School Supply Lists by Grade.

2) Bundle and buy in bulk.

Sometimes purchasing items together is cheaper than individually. If you find your kids don’t need everything in the bundle, you can pair up with friends who may consider an item swap! For example- this great back-to-school bundle

3) Shop on tax-free weekends

Sorry Canadian friends, this doesn’t work so well for us. Here is a list of the  tax-free weekends you’ll want to take advantage of if you live in the U.S.

4) Use cashback app

Cash back apps can be excellent ways to save. In Canada, our favorite is paymi. How it works, for example, is you make a purchase through Paymi and get 2% cash back on your purchase! You can purchase your Mabel’s Labels through paymi as well as other great Canadian brands like Mastermind, Indigo, and Owl Kids!

US customers, search out great US options like Honey or Retail Me Not for codes before shopping!

5) Groupon Deals!
Did you know that Groupon has a back-to-school category. It’s worth checking out!

6) Reach out for help
Contact the school district or school board and ask for direction on resources that can help. Like this one

7) Label your things!

Not only do teachers require your kids’ items to be labeled, but you’ll also thank yourself when their stuff comes home every day. There is nothing worse than buying a water bottle- then buying another a week later, after soccer practice, and so on. While you may think buying labels is an added expense, it really does save you re-buying over and over again. Check out these cost-effective label packs!

Plus, Mabel’s Labels has a 100% Satisfaction guarantee, so it’s no-risk shopping!

Also, they always have FREE SHIPPING!

8) Wait it out.
Often September  has amazing sales, on new clothing, school supplies and much more!

9) Buy second-hand 
Not only is buying second-hand more cost-effective, but it’s also way better for the environment! This tip works best for younger kids’ who aren’t so picky with what they wear.

Help if you can:  

Every kids deserves the same education. If you have the means, we encourage you to donate to your class if you can. Or perhaps use an organization like DonorsChoose. To donate supplies to and the organization will ensure that their going to places most in need.

Wishing you all a frugal back-to-school season!

The post Tips to Save Money on Back-To-School Supplies appeared first on The Mabelhood.

1. Start the school routine early.

It may take some significant re-structuring to get back into a regular daily routine. Start the process a couple of weeks before school resumes, so it’s not a shock to anyone’s system. You’ll want to re-establish positive habits when it comes to:

Sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) need 10 to 13 hours of sleep every night, while school-aged kids (ages 6 to 13) should be getting 9 to 11 hours nightly. Set a consistent schedule that involves going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.

Morning routine. The chosen wake-up time should give all family members a chance to have breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth, and fit in all of the usual morning tasks. Be sure to budget extra minutes to pack lunches (remember that?) and get yourself organized, too.

Evening activities. In the late afternoon or early evening, get everyone outside for some free time and fresh air. A predictable bedtime routine (such as a bath, followed by story time) will help younger ones wind down, while older kids’ mobile devices should be placed on their charging stations for the night.

2. Talk about what to expect.

It’s normal for kids to feel anxious about new situations, so be proactive about the transition. Start talking about school in the days leading up to it, not just the night before. Let your child ask questions, and respond honestly to his specific concerns. Previous routines may have changed dramatically due to public health protocols, so be sure to review the importance of diligent handwashing, physical distancing and mask-wearing.

Because kids may have difficulty imagining how things will look, visit the school environment in advance (if you can) to build familiarity. Walk around the schoolyard, locate the various entrances and exits, and spend some time playing on the playground or field (if permitted).

If you’re concerned that your child’s worries go beyond the typical back-to-school jitters, make arrangements to speak with a doctor, teacher, or school counselor.

3. Create a good-bye ritual.

A predictable goodbye routine helps your child know what will happen next. Brainstorm with your child to invent a distinctive parting ritual that signals that you will be leaving, and she will be starting her school day. This may involve a hug, a wave, a high-five, a special song or a rhyming phrase. Practice the ritual in advance, always reassuring your child that she will see you again later in the day. Refer to past successes where your child has spent time away from you and had a positive experience.

4. Plan social activities.

Social skills are developed when kids interact with each other, but in these times, the opportunities have been limited. Keep kids socially engaged at home by choosing activities focused on listening, interacting, and storytelling. If at-home learning has left your child feeling out of touch, pull out a past class photo to review classmates’ names and faces.

If appropriate, consider arranging an outdoor playdate with one or two peers. Create socially distant versions of familiar games (such as tag with pool noodles or soccer around pylons) to demonstrate ways of playing safely.

5. Read to your child every day.

Establishing a daily reading routine from an early age has a long list of benefits. In addition to providing one-on-one bonding time, it helps teach a key foundational skill for elementary school and beyond. Early reading experiences with parents and caregivers teach children how to speak, listen, interact, and understand the world around them. Being proficient in these areas at school will naturally boost your child’s confidence and ease his anxiety.

To set the stage, try to incorporate the back-to-school theme into reading sessions with your child. Choose books specifically about the first day of school or with storylines in a school setting.

6. Practice listening skills.

Any kindergarten teacher will confirm that listening is a critical skill for comprehension, cognitive development and overall success in school. To introduce this concept to your child, read up on what it means to be a good listener and try some listening-related activities and games.

7. Round up the gear.

Teachers will provide guidance about specific supplies, so for now, focus on the basics: a sturdy backpack, a lunch box or bag, a water bottle and a pair of indoor shoes. Do an advance inventory to see what you have on hand, and take heart in the fact that your child’s current gear may still be perfectly fine, since it didn’t necessarily get a full year of wear and tear. Involve the kids in organizing and deciding, so they can get reacquainted with their stuff. Take the time to label everything, to avoid germy mix-ups.

8. Be informed.

To prepare your kids for their school scenario, you’ll need to be up to date on what’s happening. Keep an eye on the school’s website and social media accounts for news about class placement postings, first day expectations, schedules, and possible changes to the pick-up and drop-off system. If the principal sends out a “welcome back” e-mail, read every word, and reach out with any follow-up questions. Be respectful and responsible about the health and safety measures in place, and explain them to your kids with a positive tone. Remember that things are constantly changing, so flexibility and patience will be necessary too.

By thinking ahead, you’ll be preparing your kids to cope with whatever back-to-school situation awaits them. Getting a jump on these pre-back-to-school tasks will help all of you feel organized and confident as you head into the new school year. 

For more back to school posts, try these!

The post 8 Things to Do Before Your Child Returns to School appeared first on The Mabelhood.