7 Things Moms Really Need When The Kids Go Back To School

With summer coming to a close and fall kicking into full swing, it’s finally time for the kids to rush off back to school. On one hand, the daily activities, endless pool days and lack of school structure that filled your summertime schedule left you happy to spend time with your kids, but you also may feel much more exhausted than you expected! That is why this back-to-school season is the perfect time for you to find ways to cultivate a little rest and relaxation at home!

Before the school year gets too hectic, use the first couple weeks of back-to-school as a self-care recharge frenzy! You finally have six hours of uninterrupted time to regroup before diving into the demands of the school year and family life. You are (dare I say?) … free. Check out these ideas for things you can easily do to truly wind down, mama! You won’t regret any of them.

1. Stay-at-Home Spa

Create a mini-spa experience at home. It’s so easy to set up a self-care station with manicure and pedicure essentials, skin care, and face masks. Put on your favorite show and relax while your nails dry! No doing dishes for you.

2. Beauty Bath

Not only are bath bombs the most aesthetically pleasing invention ever, but they also make your skin feel amazing. Set up a warm bath with some of your favorite bath bombs and rose petals, and don’t forget to light at least one incredibly scented candle to really set the mood!

3. Sweat It Out

Between summer camp, sports practices, and pool days, you rarely had time to exercise. Use these few hours to get back into a healthy routine whether that means yoga, the gym, or running around the neighborhood. Don’t forget to wear breathable clothes and stock up on your favorite reusable water bottles.

4. Netflix Binge

One more episode of anything on Nickolodean could make you cry at this point, so why not have a binge on your favorite TV shows and movies during the day? It’s only been, what, a year since you last saw a movie you wanted to see? You deserve it!

5. Read A Book

Some of the best moments in life are the smallest moments. Happiness is usually found in between the pages of a really good book. Find your favorite genre and curl up in bed or outside and enjoy the beauty of turning one page at a time.

6. Solo Pool Day

With just a few weeks of warm weather left, you should be rushing to the pool for the most relaxing day yet! Grab your softest beach towel, most comfortable swimsuit, and get ready to snooze in the sun.

7. Take A Nap

Sleep is so important for your body to feel your best physically and mentally. It aids in focus, wellbeing, and your ability to take care of others. Take a guilt-free nap, and wake up refreshed and ready for the afternoon rush when the kids get home!

Whether you loved the back-to-school season rush or felt stressed by the frenzy of it all, it is important to stop and take a moment for yourself. Take a relaxing bath, exercise in new fitness gear or take a much-needed nap! Do things differently and pamper yourself in the few hours you have free before the after-school rush kicks in. You deserve it.

*To see more products and ideas that can help you relax and unwind, check out the Shopkick App! It allows you to shop for products you need and earn points back, called kicks, to redeem gift cards. Happy Shopkicking!

Redeem points for cash to fund your next shopping spree

Remember dreaming about running through Toys R Us with a cart and no spending limit? Or shopping on Rodeo Drive, Hollywood-style? Or maybe you still daydream about winning Supermarket Sweep. Same. My shopping fantasies have evolved over time — but now, they’re a little more grounded… and a lot more achievable. 

 

These days, I’ve discovered a real way to fund shopping sprees — by earning points and redeeming them for gift cards or even cash. And yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. 

 

Let me walk you through three ways to turn everyday actions into real rewards (and maybe a little budget-friendly indulgence).

 

Survey Apps: The Classic Entry Point

Let’s start with the simplest (and honestly, most tedious) option: surveys. These apps reward you with points for sharing your opinion. You’ll answer questions, rack up points, and redeem them for gift cards or cash. Not the most exciting, but hey — it works. 

 

📱 Try: Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or Survey Junkie 

 

Couponing Apps: Digital Deals, Real Savings

Couponing apps are like modern-day scissors-free clipping. Some apps reward you for buying select products and uploading receipts; others give you discounts instantly at checkout. 

 

Both styles help you save and stretch your budget — freeing up more cash for your next shopping spree. 

 

📱 Try: Ibotta, Fetch Rewards 

 

Shopkick: Your Shopping Spree Sidekick

Now for my favorite: Shopkick. This free app lets you earn kicks (points) for simple tasks you already do — like walking into stores, scanning items, and making purchases. Then you redeem those kicks for gift cards to your favorite stores (Target, Amazon, Sephora, and more). 

 

You can also earn kicks without leaving home by: 

  • Visiting online stores 
  • Watching videos 
  • Browsing product pages 
  • Shopping on your phone 

 

Shopkick even sends surprise kicks just for opening the app. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s become a staple in my weekly routine. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I shopped without it. 

 

Shopping Sprees > Shopping Dreams 

I used to fantasize about free-for-alls at toy stores. Now I fund real shopping sprees with kicks from Shopkick—and it feels just as good (okay, almost as good). Whether I’m buying groceries, gifts, or a well-earned treat, Shopkick helps me stretch my budget in the best way possible. 

 

Ready to earn while you shop? 

Download the Shopkick app and start collecting kicks today. Your next shopping spree is closer than you think. 

And if you love shopping and scrolling, follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@shopkick) for daily tips, rewards inspo, and fun from the Shopkick community.