Avoiding the School Morning Madness with Matalan

#AD – This post is in collaboration with Matalan Back to School 

Back to school. I am slowly starting to accept that in just two weeks time, our lives are going to return to ‘normal’. The fun filled days and late to bed nights are going to abruptly come to an end, the lie ins will cease and those early manic Monday mornings, battling through school run traffic and the hectic commutes to work are going to return. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got so used to having E around over the holidays and her sister has adored having her bestie to play with. Despite battling the Mum guilt and having the challenge of trying to balance work and spending time with the girls, we’ve had a lovely Summer break filled with day trips and adventures, with our family holiday still yet to come. I’m in denial that the holidays have to end, and I am really going to miss her!

E has shot up so much in recent weeks and months and with her being quite the adrenaline junkie, last years uniforms were really put through their paces. Whilst normally the thought of heading out to buy a new terms worth of school uniform is enough to make me bury my head in the sand, this year Matalan have come to the rescue, and helped us get everything we need for the start of Year 2, all under one roof.  Even better, the Matalan Super Powered Uniforms have been created to appeal to grown ups and children alike, offering excellent value for money, practical features and hard wearing designs, whilst still providing unique and eye catching details that will appeal to their younger target market!

I got quite emotional seeing Erin put her uniform back on ready for her last year of infant school. It feels like literally yesterday that she started reception, when I walked to the school gates on her first day not knowing what kind of school Mum I would become. Now taller and more confident, and with two less teeth than the end of year 1, she looked so smart and well presented like she has suddenly grown up in front of my eyes. I know that she is desperate to see her friends again when September arrives.

Value and Practicality

Matalan school uniforms have been made with our busy lifestyles in mind. Tumble dry safe and easy iron with minimal creasing straight from the machine, Matalan know that we don’t want to spend our Sundays stood behind the ironing board. Their shirts have handy labels inside where you can clearly and easily add your child’s name; which lets face it is essential to prevent little ones losing pretty much everything they own on the first day of term.

With super white technology to keep the shirts whiter for longer, boned collars for a smarter appearance and even a handy touch close velcro top button (for children up to age 8) you can be confident that they will be able to get themselves ready without too much resistance and wont spend a hour battling over that fiddly last button!

The Simple Touches

Through the eyes of a child, school uniform also can’t afford to be boring – especially when your wearing the same colour scheme every single day. Matalan have clearly thought about this too, with subtle differences from the norm incorporated into their uniform designs. When I showed E a pinafore dress with large bows on the pockets (she really LOVES a pocket!) and fancy cross over back, as well as a skirt with an embroidered floral design, she quite simply she couldn’t wait to try them on.

When I bought out a pair of patent shoes that hadn’t broken the bank but still lit up with pink lights when she walks, well… the girl was in Back to School heaven.

It’s all about the Back to School Accessories

When it comes to back to school prep, I have to admit from my own experiences as a child, that the most exciting part of the start of a new term is all the school accessories – the new pencil case, the new school bottle, hair bands and bobbles. My Mum used to use these as a bartering tool, knowing that I would behave far better during uniform try on sessions if I had the dangling carrot of a pencilcase or a hair bobble or two. It worked every time without fail, and I don’t think my stationery addiction has left me since.

I am one of those Mums that loves to do Erin’s hair in the mornings, loving to sit whilst she eats her breakfast creating beautiful pigtails and french plaits. The school bag might not be packed yet and I might have forgotten to prepare the jar for the PTA (there is always a jar for something), but if nothing else, her hair at least will be done. Matalan have some great hair accessories in school colours to help complete their look – and these bow bobbles set me right back to the 1980s – too cute!

Matalan even read my mind when it comes to hydration – for a girl that never sits still, E can be a little bit lax when it comes to having a drink, often getting so distracted by the days activities that she can forget to drink enough during the day. This super cool water tracker bottle has stripe prompts down the sides, reminding her to “not stop” and “drink more” – its been a real hit and definitely encourages her to drink more!

Finally no back to school look would be complete without a new backpack and for Erin this one was a bit of a no brainer – the perfect combination of sparkle, glitter and unicorns, with plenty of room to stash her drink and lunchbox. With a huge range of backpacks to appeal to every taste, as well as personalised initial pump bags for PE, you can be confident that there really is something for everyone in the Matalan range.

If you’ve been avoiding the uniform purchase or simply don’t know where to start, you can check out the whole Back to School range in the Matalan Back to School Shop

We are now physically ready for the start of school at least, but as for being mentally ready, I fear that might take a little bit longer! I apologise in advance to anyone I see on the first day of term, as I have become quite accustomed to my lie ins. Wish me luck!!

 

Lucy