* This post is sponsored by Superbalist. It's the beginning of a new school year and the start of all kinds of extra-murals and sports for our crew... That means shoe shopping. More specifically, sneaker shopping! Growing feet need new trainers for netball, hockey,...
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New Balance Sneakersย for the entire family!
* This post is sponsored by Superbalist. It's the beginning of a new school year and the start of all kinds of extra-murals and sports for our crew... That means shoe shopping. More specifically, sneaker shopping! Growing feet need new trainers for netball, hockey,...
Momming101: Preparing for the new school year!

Disclaimer: Post sponsored by Edgars.
By next week, this time Iโll be a lonely mother-hen counting down the hours till I get to go fetch my chicks… Itโs back to school season and this year my heart is particularly heavy seeing as Ava, (the baby of our family) will be starting school too. I have no idea what Iโm going to be doing from 8 am to 2 pm daily… But thankfully by now, we know how to prepare for โBack to Schoolโ. So, today I share all our tried and tested tips and tricks – put together in handy checklists for you to download, print and use. Making the first day of school stressfree and fun for everyone.
Preparing for the new school year – 7 Days to go!
Whether you have a Grade 1, Grade 8 or 4 month old… Starting school (or a new chapter in your school journey) is a big deal with loads of things to do and remember. The details will differ but the basics always stay the same and the sooner you figure out your “Back to School Groove” the easier things will become year-after-year. This is what you need to be doing NOW, 1 week before school starts:
- Edgars stock a great selection of school basics and when you spend R300 on any school shoes, clothes, backpacks or accessories you’ll receive FREE school socks worth R89.95! A total win because we all know how socks disappear…
TOP TIP FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS FROM AN EX-TEACHER:
- Keep school clothes comfortable and easy to wear. Long dresses, lace, and fancy outfits aren’t easy to play in and can actually get caught on the jungle gym, bicycle wheels and also tend to make little ones nervous and overly cautious during messy play. Onesies aren’t great for potty training either.
- Don’t underestimate the power of character wear… Having your favourite princess, a courageous superhero, everyone’s favourite lion or the most famous mouse in the world on your sleeve, hat or chest can be all that’s needed to kickup a conversation with a new friend or even inspire a fun game to play – Providing just that extra boost of confidence and security needed to conquer school jitters.
- Also, remember to add a sunhat and soft blanket for naptime.

These cute outfits and many more are currently available from Edgars.
- This year we are trying out Hello Dolly Designs for our labeling needs. Fellow mama Chrisinda is the amazing talent behind all the beautiful labels designs available from their online store and with so many options and trendy colours available youโre sure to find a label package to suit your budget and taste. Definitely visit their website today to order!
* All labels are waterproof, dishwasher resistant, freezer resistant and microwave safe.
Preparing for the new school year – 1 Day to go!
- Finding the right school bag is very important. Youโll need one that lasts and can fit and keep all your childโs books and stationery safe. Before buying one just be sure to check for school guidelines. A lot of schools have strict rules concerning school bags and may not allow for certain designs or colours.
Thankfully Edgars has a huge selection of school backpacks, trolley bags and also fun options for the under 6 crowd.
TOP TIP: For healthy lunch ideas, be sure to check out our post on EVERYDAY NUTRITION: A HEALTHY LUNCHBOX FOR A HEALTHY MINDย (and remember to download and print the “Lunchbox Cheat Sheet” too – It will make packing school lunches a breeze).
Preparing for the new school year – “The BIG day!
Most importantly, just remember to make it fun!
Prepare your little one for the year to come. Tell them about their new school, their teacherโs name and whatย can be expected from a normal school day. Read stories and look through picture books about school.
Be positive, excited and encouraging, even if you feel unsure as well.
TOP TIP: Do a โnight before the 1st day of schoolโ box (similar to a Christmas Eve box). Fill it with special school surprises like fun bath time goodies, a new set of PJs, a bedtime story to read, a little letter, a new lunchbox or water bottle. Anything your child might like…

This set of โWeekdaysโ undies (also found at Edgars) are totally going into the girl’s boxes. They are so cute, I actually wouldnโt mind a set of my own.
Now remember to download and print your Back to School checklists HERE and get ready for 2020 – THE BEST YEAR YET!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED – CONGRATULATIONS to our social media winner Mari Muller (Facebook) and our blog winner Shaaista Mahomed
Edgars would love to help you prepare for the new school year too…
Win 1 of 2 R2000 Edgars vouchers! We will be giving away one to a lucky blog reader and the other to a follower on Facebook or Instagram.
How to enter
There are THREE ways to enter, you can complete one of these steps OR all of them to gain more entries:
- Leave a comment here just saying hi!
- Go to our Facebook pageย and under this post leave me a comment tagging who you think would also like this competition.
- Visit our Instagram account too. Leave a comment under this post tagging who you think would like this competition.
Weโll be choosing a winner on the 12th of January 2020.
COMPETITION RULES:ย
- Only entries via Instagram, Facebook, and comments left below will be considered.
- Instagram and Facebook are in no way responsible or associated with this giveaway.
- Competition only open to South African residents residing in South Africa.
- Winner must be 18+ years old.
- Competition closes on the 12th of January 2020.
- ย The winner is picked at random and announced on the 12th of January 2020.ย
- This prize is not exchangeable or refundable.
- Please enter valid email and contact info. If we can not get hold of you within 48 hours a new winner will be picked.
- The greatest care will be taken when mailing your prize but Just a Mamma and Edgars do not accept any responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged goods.
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Hi, entered, holding thumbs
Would love to win
Love all your advise my son is starting Grade one don’t know who is more anxious him or me.
Such lovely tips to ease the back to school rush! Thanks Justamamma!
Such awesome advice! Would love to win this prize
hi
My little girl is going to grade R! Mixture of excitement and nerves x
Awesome tips!! Thank you!!
Love your Instagram page
Hi, what a great blog post!! Thanks for all the advise.
Awesome competition, thank you for the opportunity
Hi ๐
Awesome advice thank you
Hi, would love this
Hi ๐๐
Thank you for this amazing opportunity and for the helpful advice.
My son will be in Grade 2. Fingers crossed
Love this time of the year getting the kiddos ready to go back to school ๐๐๏ธ๐โฃ๏ธ
Dankie vir al die tips vriendin! Gaan defnitief loer na daardie labels… sterkte!
Hi. Thank you for the amazing advicel
Hi wow I will be so grateful to win this voucher still need to buy two school bags and socks for my kids
this will help this mamma sooooo much
Hi l would love to win for my wife.
Hi…
Thank you Justamamma, this will definitely help a mamma out!!! ๐
Hi ๐ awesome prize
Love these tips and especially inspired for our first day photo
So helpful! Thank you!
As a mother careing for her kids n making sure alone that they have wat they need I this would help me a lot for them thank you for giving me the opportunity to enter for my kids
Wow what an awesome prize This will help a mamma out we stuff she needs Wonderful prize Thank you Justamamma
Hi – What an incredible prize up for grabs especially being for back to school. Crossing fingers xx
Would absolutely love this and need this so badly! I have 3 boys going to school. Gr000, Gr2 and Gr3. Keeping fingers crossed ๐ค ๐โค๏ธ
Hi! Good luck for the new school year ๐
Hi thanks so much for the tips this would be awesome for myself as a mom of 4 daughter’s. Would help alotโฅ๏ธ
Love this blog! I so often go and read ๐
Hi! Thanks for the helpful tips! This prize would come in very handy xxx
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Hi!
Hi….its my baby’s first year to play school…this would be awesome
I still need to get school shoes! ๐ Have most of everything else (yay me!)
Oh Wow! Would love to win this! Januworry is a LOOOONG month
HI!!!! Thanks for the tips!
Hi! Hope to win the Edgars Giveaway!
This is one of our favorite stores โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ love this post
Hi there! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
Hi !!!
Love this amazing giveaway
Hello jy is altyd op dit, dis defnintief hoekom jy so groot sukses is
This voucher will greatly be appreciated especially as a single mamma . Thank you
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Awesome prize ๐
Hi! Who wouldn’t want a spoil in January ๐
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Hi!
Hi ๐
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Hello . May 2020 shine on you and me
Amazing Giveaway… A good way to Start 2020
Hi
Hi
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Hi! Thank you for such important advise.. Many of us will be doing this for the first time ever! And this helps a LOT ๐9
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Hi ๐๐
Hi Thanks for a great blog and the pick me up advice for mums, useful advice for our kiddos and all the super duper giveaways and specials you find. All the best for the new school year and year in general. Much love and appreciation.
Hi ๐ this is such an amazing prize.. kids are growing like weeds.. especially the feet so it’s new school shoes and talkies x 2 kids for me.
Hi, although my eldest son is already done with school and I still have 2 other sons in school, I still read every word and helpful tips for my daughter who will start Grade R. Dunno why I’m more anxious than ever for her, am I weird…
Hi ๐โโ๏ธ
Awesome tips for a First time mom to a Grade R, fingers crossed for the prize!
Awesome prize!! ๐
Hi thanks for an awesome giveaway
Hi
Thank you so much, cool!
Hi, awesome giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed
Hi ๐
With this awesome prize I could spoil both myself and my little girl who’s starting grade 1
Hi, this is a fantastic give away!! Will indeed help a mommy or two to start the year of great!
Wow, This will help so much to start the New Year off.
Would love to win this for my daughter going to Grade RR.
This is just what I need for my son going to grade 2 ๐
Hi ๐
Amazing way to start off the New Year!
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Hi ๐๐ค๐ผโค
HI .
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Hii ๐
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Hi! ๐๐ป
HI……… Wow this is sU ch a great prize
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Hi fingers crossed
Jesslyn Smith u need to enter on Facebook
Cindy Smith u need to enter in Instagram
Hi there, I have a two year old, my 6 year old boy is starting grade 1 and my eldest is going
to university. Crossing fingers for this amazing prize.
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Awesome Prize
Helo and happy New year ๐ค
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Hi! Would be such a lovely prize to equip my little girl for her first year at pre-school. ๐
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Hi โค๏ธ
Awesome giveaway would truly love to win this for my son.
Hi, this would be awesome. Being a single mother is very hard
Hi ๐
Hi. What an awesome prize. This would help a single mom like myself
Such a lovely prize. I’d appreciate it so much.
Hi, this is an amazing prize!!
Hi
hi!
Hi๐
Wat n wonderlike prys. Dankie vir die geleentheid om te wen
Awesome advice ๐ Thank you ๐
Hi! Would love this โค๏ธ
Hi
Thanks for thos awesome giveaway
Hi! Great blog post. Just what I needed today to start getting everything in order for when my little ones head back to creche.
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Hi
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Hi – feel like any guardian/parent/teacher needs this at the start of every term!
With 3 kids…I’m feeling my ass in Janu-worry with all the school goods I still need to pick up! This would be awesome!!
Thanks for these lists. All three of mine start next week and Iโm so sad holidays are over! ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฉ But will use your idea of a first day of school box to make it exciting ๐
I really love reading your blog and following all the interesting products/brands you suggest and advice given I always think that coming from a mama of 3 that it is Def tried and tested.
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Entered on Facebook as well.
Hello ๐
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Hiโฅ๏ธ๐๐ฟ
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Great advice! Hoping to stick to these guidelines to avoid CHAOS
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Would love this
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Hi hoping to win
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Hi
Hi! What a 20/20 start..knocked for a six!
I love this post and all of your amazing tips ๐
Hi this is such an amazing giveaway.
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Hi. Entered๐๐๐
Hi . โค๏ธ
Aeesome blog!!
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Hi
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Hi. Hope to win.
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Holding thumbs for this amazing giveaway.
So excited for this giveaway I know exactly what I’d spend it on.
Also I absolutely love, love the back2school checklists…. Thank you
Entered
Hi…what an awesome competition..also voted today.. amazing blog.. informative and creative…love it
Hi
Hi! Thank you for such important advise.. Many of us will be doing this for the first time ever! And this helps a LOT ๐
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๐ค๐ค๐ค voted an followed the instructions! Would love to win this!!!
SO excited for a big year for us too – new school for both ๐ A lovely post and comp. <3
Frozen sunglasses to be added to the outfit
With 4 kids and 2 of them have birthdays in January, this would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! 7days to school, and I have not gotten anything. School principal emailed this morning just to remind everyone of the school shopping list, gulp. Guess I should start ๐
Great check lists, thank you! I love the idea of a surprise box for the night before, youโre a genius! X
Hiiiii ๐ entered and voted – fingers and toes crossed x
Hi everyone โฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
HIIIIIIII ๐
Januworry going strong here. After school fees I’m DONE LOL! Salticrax dinners- why not LOL
Hi..still.showing love to this awesome…would love to ein and pay jt forward to a.special child from our area….fanatstic competition
Great giveaway and a good start to the New year of 2020….still sharing my heart out
What a Lekker post Mamma!! Its such an exciting time of year! I love it!
Great giveaway. Holding thumbs and big toes.
Hi ๐ Thank you so much for the tips. Good Luck to everyone x
Hi
Entered ๐ค๐ค
Awesome giveaway ๐ธ๐ฅฐ
Hi. Can’t get enough of this awesome competition..love this blog
Oh wow, this is such an awesome competition. I don’t know when last I spoiled myself. I have a teenage daughter in grade 11 and a toddler starting school, they always come first. I’d love to win and be spoiled on my birthday (14th January) and have a ball picking some lovely goodies from Edgar’s, just before school starts. This would be awesome, crossing my fingers ๐ค๐ฝ๐ค๐ฝ
Hi
Really would be honured to win this phenomenal prize ๐๐ Holding thumbs.
Thanks for the awesome blog and giveaway! Fingers Crossed!!
Also good luck for the awards, you’ve def got my vote!!
Hi perfect for the new school year
Hierdie is so goeie en insightful tips. Baie dankie mamma en Edgards ๐
Holding thumbs โค๏ธ๐ค
Love this! Especially the undies! Would definitely help me remember what day it is. Heheh
Hellooo:-) what an awesome giveaway
Hi, would love to win the price! Love the labels, so hard to find nice looking labels and I checked her insta and website and these are actually very cute ๐
Hi ๐๐ป ๐
Such helpful tips. Even as a preschool homeschooler gotta hey organized, so all so helpful.
Hello Mama all the best for school this week ๐
Hellos, good luck to all the mammas on their first days of school!
With 3 kids this would b an amazing win๐
Hi ๐
This voucher would be a great help to usโค๏ธ
Hi!!!
Hi ๐ธ
Would love to win this voucher!
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Wow, this voucher would help more than a lot!!! Holding thumbs!
Hi!!
Hi there justamamma ๐
Awesome Giveaway ๐๐โ๏ธ
Hi ๐
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Hello ๐
Hi.
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hi ๐
Hi โค๏ธ #Justamamma #Edgars
Amazing and just love following your beautiful, fun family
Here’s my “HI” to a great blog and competition!