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‘Back to school’ – three words that are likely to spark a number of emotions in any parent. Dread, excitement, maybe even relief?

���˿��� Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit has spoken to over 30 parents from around the UK to find out what they really think about the end of the summer holidays and sending their child back to the classroom. What are the major stresses? How has the cost-of-living crisis affected summer shopping? And what are parents looking forward to most about the new school year?

Even if the weather has been a bit rubbish this year, many parents are already reminiscing fondly over summer memories, like Lindsay…

“We have had a lovely summer so far even though the weather has been bleak. Days out metal detecting and a short break in the motorhome.”

For some parents, six weeks might feel like just enough time to settle into a holiday routine, then, as the new term approaches, it’s time to start preparing for a totally different day-to-day pattern. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that we feel some stress and uncertainty at the end of the holidays.

The 'Sunday-nightis' effect as we like to call it. The build up of anxiety that occurs on a Sunday before school on a Monday. Always more painful and prolonged after the summer break! - Helen from Wales

Almost all of our panel have concerns about their children adapting to a new routine after weeks of a less structured way of living.

Sherlene from the West Midlands agrees: "The most difficult part of back-to-school preparation is sleep patterns after kids have had a laid-back time off school. Getting back to the school routine is always a challenge."

"We are almost three weeks through the six weeks holiday. While the girls are having a relaxing time with little routine, I am starting to think of reinforcing their bedtime so that it is easier to get back into the swing of things at the start of term."

Under pressure

Many on the panel also have worries about how their child will cope with a new level of schoolwork or looming exams, which is particularly the case for parents of older teens, like Michelle from Manchester, or Lindsay, who has a 15-year-old son…

"It is different to other years. It's his last year of school and he needs to knuckle down to get good results for his GCSEs. He knows he has to concentrate and to try to do his best."

Angela from Glasgow has two boys, one is 15 years old, the other is eight. She adds: "This year for my son I am a bit worried. He did pass his Nat5 exams but I know that Highers will be tricky. I’m hoping he puts his head down and smashes it.

"I just hope that they both do well. Also scared as the little one's at a Gaelic-speaking school and his homework last year came all in Gaelic and was starting to get hard - when he first started there were subtitles… So, dreading this year’s lot of homework."

It’s hard to avoid the avalanche of ‘back-to-school’ sales every summer – this supermarket has better deals, but that shop has the right colour of jumper. It can be easy to get lost.

And it's not just where to go, but when – many of the panel, like Michelle, get their shopping done early in the holidays, to avoid last-minute queues or to save a bit of money. Anthony from South London shares his thoughts…

"If you leave it too late, most retailers push up the prices as they know you have to buy these items for your child and also there is a chance any clothes or uniform items could be sold out.'

But just as many parents prefer to leave it late - focussing on enjoying their time off with their family, like Vicky from Edinburgh, or because they are anticipating an inconvenient growth spurt…

I do [uniform shopping] in mid to end of August. I worry they will grow if I do it any earlier. - Gemma, mum of two, Lytham St Annes

Struggling with the cost

As the cost-of-living crisis drags on, buying new uniforms and equipment can feel like an expense too far for many families. Even moreso when you're buying for multiple children, like Richard from Sandwell, who has three boys.

Lauren from Aberystwyth has two children, aged seven and 11. She explains their difficulty: "Paying for new school uniform, new shoes or trainers, new bags and everything they need for their pencil cases. It soon adds up quickly, and summer holidays are expensive as they are because we have two kids to entertain for the summer."

Even when a teen moves onto college, often with no uniform, parents are conscious of the summer spending. Clive from Liverpool says…

"I always associate back to school with 'shelling out cash'. August is always an expensive month because of this. Learning materials - mainly books. Also, although she no longer requires a uniform - peer pressure dictates that sixth form students must dress up like they about to take part in a fashion show. So clothes and a new bag are definitely on the agenda too!"

Some parents on the panel also reflect on changing habits and tighter budgets during a cost-of-living crisis. Natalie from Cardiff talks about spreading the costs across the holidays to avoid spending "one massive amount" and other parents, like Sherlene from the West Midlands, are having to choose their moment…

"This year with the financial strains of the cost-of-living [crisis], I am finding buying school uniforms stressful. This is the first year I will be buying last minute as I have to wait for payday at the end of the month."

There really is no right way to feel about sending your child to school. Many parents might feel something like relief - relief at not having to keep teens entertained with summer activities, like Ian M from Manchester, or perhaps looking forward to having a little more 'me time'.

Alison from North Yorkshire, who has a 16-year-old, says it's about "having time and space to myself. I often feel like September is a fresh start for me, time to re-establish priorities, maybe start a new project. I feel like I get back control and routine."

Helen's favourite thing about the start of the new school term is "being able to maintain a tidy house… Sometimes."

And several parents on our panel mention the social aspect, both for their child and themselves. Michelle is looking forward to meeting the new teachers and catching up with other parents, while Anthony can't wait to see his 13-year-old back with his friends in school.

"[I'm] pleased with the fun times we’ve had over summer and memories made, but also looking forward to some peace and quiet and normal routine." - Ian W from the East Midlands

Pride and apprehension - a mix of emotions

Of course, most parents feel a mix of emotions when they're sending their child back to school - a mix that's entirely individual to their situation. For many on our panel, it's also a reminder that childhood, just like the holidays, can fly by.

Vicky reflects on the end of the holidays with her daughter: "I feel both happy for her growth and excitement for school, but also sad she is growing up so fast and I feel I have missed so much of that through having to work."

And Ben from Edinburgh, who has a six-year-old, adds: "Whilst it’s nice to see your child grow and mature, it also comes with a sad feeling that childhood is very fleeting and they will soon have to deal with the travails of the world on their own."

And for those with older teens, the new term brings with it the prospect of their child finding independence and perhaps even leaving home.

"My daughter is going to art college for a year but still living with us. I feel it is a big step towards her leaving home and I don't want her to leave. I feel I want to stop time passing." - Alison

After well over a decade of schooling, it can be scary for some parents to consider what comes next, like Helen…

"This is my last year of being a school parent. Although my daughter is extremely relieved, I feel quite emotional. School is such a huge part of their lives for so many years, it will be a big change to the whole household, not having the routine in our lives."

But ultimately, for parents like Clive, whose daughter is in sixth form, there is pride for what their child has achieved and the person that they are becoming…

"[I feel] quite tearful as my 'little girl' is growing up. Now at school because she wants to learn and better herself, and not because she has to be there."