CUTE
PACKS
SMART SACKS
The best choices help
kids stay organized, keep
their lunches cool, and
express themselves.As someone who likes to express myself through
fashion, I love that my sons are starting to do
the same. Here are a few lessons we’ve learned
when balancing the kids’ style choices with what’s
appropriate for school. By Ramona Cruz-Petersbe creative within guidelines
You can often find a fashionable compromise. If hats are against the dress
code, compromise with a moderately funky hairstyle, such as a faux hawk or
fun braids. If uniforms are required, kids often can still express themselves with
bows, leggings, and buttons or keychains on their backpacks. Consult your
school’s uniform guidelines to be sure. If nail polish is frowned on, suggest
painting your kiddos’ toenails instead.choose your battles
Don’t make an argument out of every creative outfit choice. If it won’t hurt
them or others, isn’t against school policy, and really doesn’t matter, let it go.
A pajama top with jeans? Why not! Mismatched tops and bottoms? That won’t
hurt anyone. On the flip side, a cape or other large costume accessory could be
distracting in school and could get damaged. And refusing to wear a jacket or
long pants in cold weather could be a health concern. In those cases, it may
be best to put your parental foot down.when in doubt, ask
Dress codes and hair-dye policies can vary by district and even by grade. A simple
chat with school staff can clarify and resolve many issues. We weren’t sure our
eldest son’s blue hair would fly, so we were preparing him for the possibility that
his brightly colored summer hair might need to be dyed back or cut off before
school started. But when we asked school leaders, we learned that hair dye was
OK at our school after all.OMG ACCESSORIES
UNICORN QUEEN
MINI BACKPACK
If your little one loves
unicorns, this sweet
and sparkly pack is sure
to feel magical. $45
at omgaccessories.comMACKENZIE BLUE
GLOW-IN-THE-DARK
SHARK BACKPACK
This water-resistant
backpack comes in
four different sizes
and has side pockets
for water bottles.
And, with a half-hour
charge, the sharks
glow in the dark for
hours. From $40 at
potterybarnkids.comPACKIT FREEZABLE LUNCH SACKS
Freezable gel is built right into the walls of these sacks,
so you don’t have to worry about separate ice packs. Just
freeze the whole thing overnight and you’re good to go!
$20 in geometric print or gray stripes at amazon.comALLRECIPES.COM 96 AUG/SEPT 2019
For Kids