12 Must Haves to Make the School Year Easier on Parents

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You may not get to pick out brand new pencils and Trapper Keepers on an IRL back to school shopping spree anymore — but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to treat yourself a little. Especially when these treats will actually help you stay more organized and less stressed over the course of the new school year. Whether you need a hair styling tool to make your mornings go more smoothly or a cute and comfortable new pair of flats, read on for some of our back-to-school season faves.

If you don’t have this already, what are you waiting for? It will shave time off your morning routine, and it doesn’t cost a fortune. Win-win. ($39.97, Amazon)

Sometimes you just need to go old-school and write things down. Use this pad to come up with a meal plan and jot down the ingredients you’ll need to make it happen…then tear off this week’s page and hit the grocery store. ($9.99, Amazon)

It never hurts to have a backup charger, especially when that charger only costs around $10. It’s a life-saver on long days away from your desk or car. Grab one for you, one for your partner, one for your teen…and one for that friend whose phone is always at 5%. ($10.88, Walmart)

If you like having non-wrinkly clothes, but can’t remember the last time you dragged out an ironing board (does anyone even have those anymore?), this is the gadget for you. It weighs a little more than a pound, is ready to go in minutes, and can iron or steam clothes. Plus, since it’s totally handheld, it’s great to travel with or use at home. ($120, Amazon)

Get it all done in one place with this tidy little setup. Perfect for your desk or bedside table, it’ll ensure you’re ready to face the day, fully-charged electronics in hand. ($150, Case-Mate)

With 12+ grams of protein and 0g of sugar per serving, this cereal is a hearty, quick breakfast you’ll actually look forward to. Flavor options range from peanut butter and cocoa (our favorites) to blueberry muffin, cinnamon roll, and birthday cake. You can grab a single case to taste test, or sign up for a subscription. ($39+/case, Magic Spoon)

No more hunting for your keys under a massive pile of laundry or wondering if you left your wallet at the coffee place. Throw an AirTag on a key ring or slip it into your bag or wallet so you can track your belongings at all times, get alerts when you leave them behind, and even play a sound when you can’t figure out which room of the house they’re hiding in. ($84.99/4-pack, Amazon)

If, like us, you tend to brew your coffee and then get so distracted that you don’t remember it until many hours later, this thing’s perfect. You have the option to brew a full pot when you have guests or several coffee drinkers all at once, but if it’s just you and you don’t want the majority of a pot to go to waste, you can choose the K-cup option. Easy. ($129.99, Target)

Is this essentially just a fanny pack? Yes. But is it super useful, especially on days when your outfit rudely doesn’t have any pockets? Absolutely. Wear it around your waist or over your shoulder, but either way, you’ll be glad it’s in the mix. ($38, Lululemon)

Your kids are all set with their new backpacks…now it’s your turn. This neoprene bag comes in six colors and three different sizes, and is both soft and sturdy enough to stand up to a daily commute. ($155+, Dagne Dover)

Cute, professional, and perfect for fall weather, these shoes come in six different colors and are even machine-washable. They’re a sustainable choice, too — made from plastic bottles. Rounded flats, pointy flats, slip-on sneakers, and more are also available from the same brand. ($179, Rothy’s)

The first time our writer put these in, she actually thought her dryer had stopped working, since it was suddenly so, so quiet. You can leave them in without any music playing at all — they’re that good at helping with focus. You need some of that magic in your life, too. ($199, Amazon)

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