The perfect standing desk

As families prepare for back-to-school season, Hulala’s thoughtfully designed furniture helps create flexible, organized spaces for homework, school projects, and collaborative learning. The Veritas 360° Rotating Standing Desk features a rotating side desktop that easily adapts for independent study or working side-by-side with classmates, siblings, or parents. Integrated power, hidden cable management, and enclosed storage keep supplies neatly organized, while whisper-quiet electric height adjustment (31″–49″), three memory presets, and a sedentary reminder promote comfort during long study sessions. Built with durable engineered wood and metal, the spacious desktop supports up to 200 lbs and is backed by a comprehensive five-year warranty.

Use Code: MYHULALA12 for 12% off

The best in back to school kids fashion

Appaman’s New Arrivals bring fresh, playful style to kids’ fashion with irresistibly soft fabrics and standout prints. Known for bold colors, comfortable fits, and durable construction, Appaman designs clothing that keeps up with active kids while still looking effortlessly cool. From graphic tees and joggers to versatile outerwear, each piece is crafted for everyday comfort and easy movement. Parents love the machine-washable, kid-tested fabrics, while little ones love the fun, expressive designs. Whether dressing for school, play, or special occasions, Appaman’s latest collection offers modern, stylish essentials that make getting dressed enjoyable for the whole family.

Use Code: FIRSTDAYAKA20 20% off a full-price order 

Keep your kids safe this year

The Bark Watch helps kids stay connected while giving parents tools to help keep them safer- without the distractions and risks that can come with a smartphone. Real-time GPS location tracking lets parents check their child’s location from the Bark parent app, while the SOS button gives kids a quick way to reach help in an emergency.Built-in content monitoring scans for potential concerns like bullying, predators, and self-harm, alerting parents when something may need their attention. Kids can talk and text with approved contacts, without games, social media, or web browsing competing for their attention.Durable and water-resistant, the Bark Watch gives parents greater peace of mind while giving kids a little more independence.

Use Code: B2SCHOOL30 (valid through 8/31/26)

Recycled Double Pocket Backpack 

Made from recycled water bottles, our medium-size Recycled Double Pocket Backpack is a practical choice for kids on the move. With its spacious two-compartment design, it offers ample storage for school supplies, snacks, and more. Plus multiple pockets, clips, and holders make it easy to keep their belongings organized. Adjustable straps ensure a comfortable fit, making this backpack an ideal companion for any adventure. This backpack comes in 2 sizes with the Small size being perfect for Kindergarten through 2nd grade and the larger size for children 2nd grade and up.

A Must-Have Hair Conditioner: Silk’e Leave-In Conditioner

Hydrate, smooth, and fight frizz with the Silk’e Leave-In Conditioner. Made with jojoba oil and aloe extract, this lightweight formula helps soften, nourish, and refresh dry or damaged-looking hair without flaky buildup or residue. Perfect for making busy back-to-school mornings quicker and easier, it leaves hair feeling softer, smoother, and more manageable. sleekehair.com

Readers can receive 50% off the Silk’e Leave-In Conditioner with the exclusive code BTS50.

Shop Now 

DREAM PAIRS KIDS Lightweight Slip On Sneakers

Designed for kids who are always on the move, DREAM PAIRS KIDS Lightweight Slip-On Sneakers deliver effortless comfort, independence, and all-day playability. Weighing only 3.7 ounces per shoe, these ultra-light sneakers help reduce foot fatigue so little explorers can run, jump, and play freely from the playground to family outings. The breathable mesh upper and airflow channels help keep feet cool and comfortable, even during active days, while the easy slip-on design allows kids to put them on independently and build confidence with every step. A flexible forefoot construction supports natural movement, and a reinforced toe cap adds protection against everyday bumps. Lightweight, practical, and adventure-ready, these sneakers are the perfect everyday companion for growing feet.

Fight the back to school sicknesses with Boiron USA

Back-to-school season brings new routines, busy schedules — and sometimes flu-like symptoms. At the first sign of body aches, headache, fever, chills, or fatigue, reach for Oscillococcinum® and feel like yourself again. Brought to you by @BoironUSA. Oscillo helps reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms.* The convenient meltaway pellets come in single-dose tubes and dissolve in the mouth, making them easy to take at home or on the go. Recommended for everyone ages 2 and up, Oscillo is non-drowsy and has no known interactions with other medications or supplements. Learn more at Oscillo.com.

*These “Uses” have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Use Code: OscilloBTS26 for 20% off any Oscillo product on BoironUSA.com. Valid August through November 2026.

Be prepared for school sports

Shibumi Park Vista™ (MSRP $240) reinvents off-beach shade. At under 5 lbs, it’s up to 10x lighter than traditional 30-50 lb pop-up tents yet sets up solo in two minutes — no wrestling poles or waiting on a second person. It packs into a slim 26″ bag for easy trunk storage, shades up to four people comfortably, and features UPF 50+ water-resistant fabric with an adjustable canopy that tracks the sun. Modular by design, multiple units connect for scalable coverage at sidelines, parks, and outdoor events.

Easy feeding options

Haakaa creates practical, thoughtfully designed products that help make everyday parenting simpler. For the back-to-school season, the Haakaa Silicone Yummy Pouch offers a convenient way to pack purées, yoghurt, smoothies and more. This reusable 4.5 oz pouch gives parents flexibility over food and ingredient choices while helping reduce spending on individually packaged snacks and cut down on packaging waste. Its leakproof lid, variable-flow spout and dishwasher-safe, food-grade silicone design make feeding, carrying and cleaning easy.

Must Haves for your school supply list

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Stainless Steel 13 oz Food Jar (SDS Direct) – Reusable, eco-friendly food jar keeps food hot or cold. Premium food grade 18/8 stainless steel, contains no phthalates, BPA, lead, or PVC.  $19.99 

Daniel Goes to School (Simon & Schuster) – Daniel learns that “grown-ups come back” and has lots of fun with his teacher and classmates. Ages 2-4, $12.99 

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Mini Backpack 12” 3D Character Plush Bookbag (Intimo) – Backpack features 3D Daniel Tiger face with dimensional ears, embroidered facial details, two zippered compartments, and padded adjustable shoulder straps. Ages 3+, $39.99 

Get the must-have back-to-school essentials – paper towels that handles every mess busy school days brings

For families this back-to-school season, stock up on Viva Signature Cloth Triple Roll (129 sheets), which offer more sheets per roll and fewer replacements during hectic school days. Viva Signature Cloth is cloth-like, making it tough on sticky messes like apple juice spills and crafts, while soft enough for kids’ hands and faces. 

A bathroom must-have!

The Squatty Potty Toilet Stool is designed to help support a more natural, comfortable posture while using the bathroom. By elevating your feet, it helps align your body for a more complete and efficient experience. It is clinically proven to decrease time spent on the toilet and increase elimination to feel emptier! It’s sleek, compact design fits neatly around most toilets, making it an easy addition to any bathroom. Durable, easy to clean, and available in multiple styles and heights, it’s a simple everyday wellness upgrade for the whole family.

Squatty Potty Flushable Wipes provide a gentle, refreshing clean with every use. Made with plant-based fibers and infused with soothing aloe and vitamin E, they’re soft on skin while helping you feel fresh and confident. Septic-safe and designed to break down after flushing, they’re a convenient addition to any bathroom routine. Pair them with your favorite Squatty Potty product for an elevated bathroom experience.promo code BACK2STOOL

The school year always seems to arrive faster than expected, but having the right products on hand can help make those early mornings, homework sessions, and after-school activities run more smoothly. Whether you’re checking off your family’s shopping list or looking for a few new favorites, these back-to-school essentials are designed to simplify everyday life. Here’s to a successful, organized, and exciting new school year!

The post Back to School Must-Haves for the New School Year! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

I’ve got a few little back-to-school magic tricks up my sleeve to make mornings smoother, faster, and (hopefully) tear- and tantrum-free!

1. Mornings

Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and tackle the trickiest part first… mornings! Everything you read makes it sound so simple: lay out the clothes, prep the lunches, wake up early, sip coffee in peace. Cute idea. But real life is more like this: one kid can’t find a shoe, the other refuses to eat anything that isn’t shaped like a dinosaur, and I’m wondering if cold pizza counts as breakfast. (Spoiler: it does.) I finally invested in hanging closet organizers, and honestly, they’ve saved my sanity more than once. Each cubby gets an outfit, and boom, less drama at 7 a.m. Here is a simple one I picked up on Amazon.

2. Homework

Homeworks is a battlefield. No matter how organized I try to be, we always end up missing something. That’s why I rolled in with a supply cart full of everything: pencils, markers, glue, you name it. It’s basically a mobile survival kit for math meltdowns. And when my child asks me to explain long division, I do what every smart mom does: smile, nod, and pull up Khan Academy on the internet. Because if I didn’t get it in 6th grade, I’m not about to figure it out now. Here is the one that works for me. 

3. Evenings

Evenings? They’re a three-ring circus. Between soccer, choir practice and Girl Scouts, I sometimes wonder if I should just keep folding chairs in the back of the SUV because I live in parking lots now. Dinner must be fast, or it’s drive-thru again. My secret weapon: sheet pan meals. Toss chicken, veggies, and potatoes on a pan, sprinkle on some olive oil, seasonings and parmesan cheese, bake, and call it gourmet. When I’m out of ideas, I scroll through Delish for easy weeknight recipes. 

4. Lunch packing!  

Let’s just say some days it’s Pinterest-worthy with cute little lunchbox notes from inklings, and other days it’s “grab a granola bar and good luck.” Weelicious’s lunchbox ideas have saved me from repeating PB&J and Lunchables a hundred times in a row. On the pinterest-worthy days I feel quite proud of myself with these stainless steel boxes! 

5. Schedule

Ohhhh, the schedule. It’s taped to the fridge, color-coded, and still somehow impossible to follow. Everyone has a different practice, rehearsal, or meeting, and I’m just trying not to double- book myself. Google Calendar helps (every kid has their own color) but even then, I’ve shown up at the wrong field at the wrong time more than once. At least I had snacks, which automatically makes you the hero mom. Through all of this, I’ve realized the biggest secret to surviving fall routines: is taking care of yourself, too. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Ten minutes of YouTube Yoga, lighting a pumpkin scented candle, or even just sitting in the car after drop-off with a hot latte and blessed silence, it all counts!

Moms deserve little rituals that make the chaos bearable. So yes, fall routines are messy. They’re exhausting, unpredictable, and fueled mostly by caffeine and prayer. But they also mean a return to structure after the free-for-all of summer. The kids eventually adjust, the mornings eventually smooth out (kind of), and you start to find a rhythm again. And honestly? As long as the kids get to school mostly clothed, homework is turned in more often than not, and dinner occasionally involves a vegetable, I’m calling it a win. If fall is really about fresh starts, then mine starts with a glass of wine at 8 p.m. after bedtime chaos. Cheers to new routines!

The post Back to School, Back to Sanity: Surviving Fall Routines appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The post Ready. Set. Prep. appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The post Feel Good About Clearing Clutter appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

With spring so close we can almost see lime green buds peeking out from the plants, it’s time to shake off winter lethargy! Since it’s still a bit icy out, there’s no better place to start your seasonal de-shelling than inside your home. Below are a few fantastic spring cleaning tips for spring cleaning, organized by problem area, that are eco-friendly, DIY, and (believe it or not) fun!

Overstuffed Closets

Closets are sneaky beasts. One day they’re well curated and clean. The next day, they’re erupting with pants, dresses, shirts, and more. And flabbergastingly, people only wear a jaw-dropping 20% of all clothes they own, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bring order to closet disarray and disuse by use by purging your wardrobe and swapping excess items online. Sites like Swapdom.com make this to-do easy and—dare we say it?—addictively fun. Swapdom is free to use and its special circle swap system means less effort and higher success than traditional swaps. Plus, you can trade your items for clothes, kids’ gear, or (this last one launching soon) home goods!

If your clothes aren’t quite fit for giving away, though, you can upcycle them or use them as rags for spring cleaning.

Disorganized Odds and Ends

Mason jars aren’t just the glass of choice for hipster bars nationwide; they’re a great organizational device as well! Glue or nail jar lids to the bottom of a shelf, fill the jars, and screw the jars into place for a neat way to organize office or craft supplies, or simply stack jars sideways to create good-looking holders for pens, pencils, or utensils.

Another set of interest upcycling ideas puts your worn-out denim to work. Cut off pockets and stick them to fabric stretched over an old frame to create a nice organizer for office tidbits, or weave together long strips of denim to create a handy denim basket, perfect for storing toys, knickknacks and more.

Overused, Undercleaned Surfaces

Giving the house a thorough scrubbing may not be as fun as skydiving or winning the lottery, but nothing beats starting spring out with a house so fresh and so clean, clean, even OutKast would be tempted to write a song about it.

Instead of turning to the harsh-on-the-hands, bad-for-the-earth cleaning supplies that shout out at us from advertisements and grocery store shelves, concoct your own grime-fighting solutions. With a few natural, around-the-house ingredients, you can create great DIY cleaning products that cut down on dirt, soap scum, and polluting chemical use. Simply look online to easy recipes! 

Armed with these tips, we foresee you fighting your way out of winter stagnancy with adamancy! Good luck and happy spring! 

The post Spring Cleaning Tips That’ll Rock Your World appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

(BPT) – Helping children with their homework requires more than an understanding of the subject matter, whether it’s algebra or world literature. To help children succeed throughout the school year, it’s important for parents to nurture positive study habits and organizational skills, and provide kids with a home environment that fosters concentration.

“Whether your kids are just learning to read, write and spell, or they are studying for the SATs, we parents have an opportunity to help instill work and study habits that will stick with our children for life,” says education and parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba, who is the bestselling author of 22 parenting books and a frequent TODAY show contributor.

Borba offers parents some easy tips to help children of all ages develop skills that will help them reach their academic goals:

* Give them space – Create a dedicated space for homework and study. This underscores the importance of homework to kids. If you don’t have room for a homework desk, consider keeping all homework and study tools in a bin or box that children can take out and use every day. Keep all essentials in one place to help avoid time wasted looking for the dictionary, ruler, calculator or other tool.

* Create a routine – Choose a time that works best for your child to do homework, then stick to that time every day. A set and predictable schedule helps minimize homework battles. “Work before play” can motivate kids to get their homework done, but if your child plays sports or has other after-school commitments, doing homework after dinner may be the best option.

* Give them smart tools and study aids – Just as your mechanic can’t fix your car without the right tools, it’s hard for kids to do homework without the proper tools. Choose tools like the new Post-it Study collection (www.Post-it.com), which is designed to help students stay organized and use time efficiently. For example, Post-it Study Message Flags are restickable flags that feature helpful reminders like “Study,” “To Do” and “On Test” that help kids highlight material that needs additional attention. Note Tabs, Page Markers, Flags and other products in this collection by Post-it Brand stick securely to papers, notebooks, textbooks and more – yet remove cleanly – to help kids organize information during homework and study time.

* Avoid distractions – Establish a technology-free zone for homework and studying. Turn off TVs, ban text messaging and ensure kids are using their PC for research, rather than Facebook. This measure may seem obvious to you, but remember – kids are so tied to tech these days that they may be surprised to find out they can more efficiently use their time without the distractions of technology.

* Map out assignments – Help children plot homework on a schedule so they have simple reminders of daily, weekly or long-term assignments. Include other engagements like sports or music lessons to help kids have a clearer picture of their own schedules. This can help build basic time management skills, like working on a long-term project every day over time, or avoiding a late-night cramming session for a big test.

* Lessons in planning and prioritizing – Teach kids to make lists of what they need to do each night in order of priority. As your child accomplishes each item, have him cross it off the list. For children who had difficulty staying on task, breaking large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks can help. Encourage kids to do the hardest homework first to help relieve the pressure of a long to-do list.

* Emphasize the effort – Stressing perseverance and effort in a task helps children work longer and harder, because they recognize their success is based on how hard they work. Instead of asking “What score did you get?” ask “How hard are you working?”

* Effective study habits – Spreading out study sessions and practice testing were the two most-effective learning tactics, according to a recent report by the Association for Psychological Science. Both techniques involve strong time management skills. Help children think of study sessions or pieces of a larger project as daily to-dos, and just as important as the homework assignment that may be due tomorrow.

The post Eight ways to help kids hone their homework habits appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.