Back-To-School Stress Has 60% Of Parents In Tears
After a long, relaxing summer, some kids are dreading the upcoming first day of school! Lord knows I always did! According to a new study parents may be even more…
After a long, relaxing summer, some kids are dreading the upcoming first day of school! Lord knows I always did! According to a new study parents may be even more anxious about it. That’s because back-to-school season means moms and dads have a long list of things to do and buy for the new school year and once it starts, the whirlwind of activity - and stress - is back. And new research reveals how parents are dealing with it.
A new survey from Life360 asks 1,000 parents of school-age children about their back-to-school routines and stressors, and it turns out, a lot of us are struggling.
- Time and logistics are a big issue for a lot of families who are juggling transportation, after-school activities, sports leagues, homework time and more.
- Parents spend an average of 17 hours a week coordinating family schedules and logistics, which is basically the equivalent of a part-time job.
- More than half (57%) say fitting in all their activities is a challenge and 54% admit they struggle to keep up with every detail of their family’s schedule.
- Two-thirds (68%) of parents feel burdened by all the things they need to complete.
- Money can be an even bigger stressor, since parents are buying school supplies, clothes, shoes and whatever the latest must-have water bottle is, the average family expects to spend $458 per child on back-to-school needs.
- Even worse? Parents estimate their kids will each lose around $175 worth of goods during the school year, like backpacks, calculators and books.
- That’s why the ultimate cost of everything needed is the #1 cause of back-to-school stress for 51% of parents.
- So it’s no wonder that 44% of parents rate their back-to-school stress level as high and 29% say it’s more stressful than holiday.
- And 60% of moms and dads admit they’ve been driven to tears over back-to-school stress.
Places With Teacher Discounts For Back-To-School Season
The back-to-school shopping season is upon us, and teachers everywhere are digging into their own pockets to stock up on classroom essentials. According to the National Education Association, educators shell out an average of $500 to $750 annually on supplies their students need.
Many teachers say their districts don’t always provide everything needed to keep students engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn. A survey by the U.S. Department of Education reveals that 94 percent of teachers are spending their own money on classroom necessities. It’s not just teachers either. Support staff like bus drivers, front office personnel, classroom aides, and custodians are also using their own wages to buy supplies.
These purchases cover everything from paper, pencils, markers, and glue, to online learning program subscriptions, lab equipment, snacks for hungry kids, tissues, cleaning supplies, and even hand soap for the bathrooms.
Rising School Supply Costs
Last year, CNN reported that most school supplies have jumped in price, sending the cost of writing tools and supplies such as crayons, pens, and pencils up nearly 19% year-over-year.
Jamesha Gilliam, a public high school English teacher in Marion County, Florida, keeps a locker in her class filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, and other stationery materials.
“I use my own money to keep it filled up during the year,” said Gilliam. But she was hit with sticker shock when she went to buy a bulk supply of unsharpened pencils. “I would get a 50-pack box for $10, and this year it’s closer to $25,” she shared with the outlet.
Parents have been noticing this as well with some sharing how the cost of back-to-school supplies has gotten out of hand.
TikTok user @cramer.crew, known as Christy, recently shared her annual back-to-school haul for two kids. Her list included the usual suspects like dry-erase markers, folders, notebooks, glue sticks, tissues, and paper towels. Most items were store brands, particularly Target's, which another local mom found to be the cheapest. Christy skipped big-ticket items like electronics and didn’t include backpacks or lunchboxes, which she bought separately. Despite reusing some items like her older child’s backpack and calculator, her total still came to $170.23.
“Absolutely insane. Insane!” she exclaimed.
Another parent, @addi_archers_mommy, known as Harlee, shared her frustration: “I just spent about $100 on my first grader’s school supplies,” she said. “And they wouldn’t even let me buy anything fun.”
She showed her haul, noting the specific name brands required. Although Harlee didn’t always stick to those brands, a teacher friend explained that these requests often come from experience, as investing in quality can save money long-term.
No one seems to blame teachers for the costs. In fact, Christy, in the comments of her video, expressed appreciation for teachers, telling one commenter, “Crazy how teachers are expected to provide it all.”
Some Retailers Are Helping Teachers Cut the Cost This School Year
As the back-to-school season kicks off, some retailers are stepping up to ease the financial burden on teachers by offering discounts and special deals on classroom supplies. They’re rolling out special deals and discounts to help educators fill their classrooms without emptying their wallets. Ready to see which stores are making it easier for teachers to snag those must-have supplies? Take a look at the list below and find out who’s offering a helping hand this school year.
General Supplies
New members can get a $20 or $40 Costco Shop Card, an exclusive offer for teachers. Teachers also receive a 10% discount at most Dollar Tree locations by showing a valid school ID. At Michael’s, teachers save 15% on every purchase. Office Depot offers a 10% discount on in-store purchases for teachers. Staples provides a 20% discount on in-store purchases with an app coupon and teacher ID. Additionally, teachers can enjoy 20% off storewide at Target through Target Circle, available until Saturday, August 24.
Subscriptions And Tech
Both teachers and students can access Adobe Pro, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign, for just $19.99 per month during the first year, and $34.99 per month thereafter. Additionally, teachers and their families can enjoy a 25% discount on AT&T wireless plans, starting at $27 per month for four lines. Instructors can save up to $25 per month on Verizon's Unlimited wireless plans. Canva offers free access to creating lesson plans, posters, and infographics through this link. Teachers get six months of Babbel lessons for $36, a 60 percent discount. Teachers also receive discounts on Google Workspace for Education, which includes Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet, and more, as well as discounts on Chromebooks. Office 365 Education and Microsoft Teams are available for free, along with a 10% discount on Windows devices. The Apple Store for Education offers discounted items for K-12 teachers, including select Macbooks and iPad.
Books
Books will always be essential for both students and teachers, and there are discounts available for educators looking to expand their collections. Teachers can enjoy up to 25% off on books, toys, and games by joining Barnes & Noble Educators. The Scholastic Teacher Store offers great items for 25% off and up to 50% off with other sales and deals. Scholastic also hosts book fairs and warehouse sales where teachers can purchase items at marked-down prices. Additionally, local bookstores often offer similar discounts for teachers, so it's worth checking out nearby options to find the best deals.
