Now that I have two kids in elementary school, we’ve started a little back-to-school tradition that has quickly become one of my favorite things we do each year. I take each of my school-aged kids out for their own one-on-one day with Mom before school starts.
We go back-to-school shopping, grab coffee or lunch, and spend the day together without their siblings. With a toddler at home, that one-on-one time feels especially special. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant — the whole point is simply having uninterrupted time with one child where they get Mom all to themselves.
And honestly, it has been such a fun way to get my kids excited about the new school year.
My kids have very different feelings about school. I have one who absolutely loves it and another who isn’t quite as enthusiastic about heading back. 😂 But making back-to-school shopping into something special gives even my less-than-thrilled-about-school kid something to look forward to.
Instead of “Summer is over and it’s time to go back to school,” it becomes “I get a special day with Mom!”
And that little shift has made this tradition one I’m really looking forward to continuing every year. ❤️
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Starting With School Supplies at Target
Our mother-daughter back-to-school date usually starts at Target. We grab whatever school supplies they need, wander through the aisles, and somehow always end up in the toy section. 😂
That’s because back-to-school shopping has also become a little Santa photo shoot in our family.
When my kids were younger and would ask me for a toy while we were shopping, I started telling them, “We’re not buying that today, but let’s take a picture for Santa!” I’d snap a photo of whatever caught their eye and send it to Santa so he would know exactly what they wanted for Christmas.
Naturally, that tradition still happens when we walk past the toys during back-to-school shopping. It’s actually become one of my favorite parts because I get a little glimpse into what they’re loving at that age.
If you’re already thinking ahead to Christmas, I’ve also put together gift ideas for both ages:
After our little Santa photo shoot, we get back to the actual mission: school supplies! We pick out everything they need for the new school year, and then we head to the mall for the next part of our mother-daughter day.
A Trip to the Mall for Back-to-School Clothes
After we finish up at Target, we head to the mall for the clothes portion of our back-to-school shopping date. I have such a soft spot for taking my girls to the mall because it reminds me of my own middle school and teenage years. I remember my mom dropping me off at the mall to walk around with my friends, and I loved those little shopping trips. I know we’re in a completely different era now, with so much shopping happening online, but there’s something special about getting to experience that in-person shopping tradition with my own kids now.
My kids are also very petite for their ages, so being able to actually take clothes into a fitting room and have them try things on makes a huge difference. We can find pieces they like, make sure they fit, and let them have a say in what they actually want to wear to school.
Some of our favorite places to shop for kids’ clothes are H&M, Macy’s, and JCPenney. We also usually stop at Famous Footwear for shoes and Dick’s Sporting Goods for soccer gear.
And I’m officially entering my soccer mom era this year because two of my three kids are playing soccer! ⚽️ If you’re in your soccer mom era too, you might also like my Soccer Mom Essentials post.
Once we’ve checked everything off our shopping list, we usually finish our day with lunch or dinner together before heading home. It’s the perfect way to end a day that’s really less about shopping and more about getting some special one-on-one time together.
Why One-on-One Back-to-School Shopping Works
I’ll be honest: taking both of my school-aged kids back-to-school shopping at the same time can be a little chaotic. 😂 They have different lists, different sizes, different opinions, and somehow they’re always drawn to completely different things.
One kid needs to try something on while the other is asking for something else, and before long I’m trying to keep track of two shopping lists while navigating the dressing room and refereeing sibling disagreements.
Taking them one at a time makes the whole experience so much easier.
I can focus on what that child needs, let them take their time choosing clothes and supplies, and actually enjoy the day instead of feeling like I’m trying to accomplish a giant shopping mission. And because we’re one-on-one, they get my full attention, which makes the whole experience feel special for both of us.
So yes, this tradition is about creating memories and getting my kids excited for the school year—but I’ll also happily admit that Mom enjoys the calmer shopping experience, too. 😂
One of my favorite little parts of this tradition is that we usually pick out a small something for the sibling who isn’t with us. It might be a little toy, treat, or something we think they’ll love. I love seeing how excited my kids get to choose something for their sibling and know that they were thinking about them while they were out having their special day.
Final Thoughts
What started as a simple back-to-school shopping trip has become one of my favorite traditions with my kids. I love that it gives each of them a little one-on-one time with Mom and something fun to look forward to before school starts. Hopefully, it’s a tradition we’ll keep for many years to come. ❤️
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