By Jenny Schafer
It’s time to start thinking about the back to school season.
While this time of year can cause stress and anxiety, Celebrity Baby Scoop reached out to some savvy celebrity moms – and rounded up top favorite brands – to help beat the back to school chaos.
Mystery Girls star Jennie Garth and her ex-husband, Twilight star Peter Facinelli, are parents to three daughters: Luca, 17, Lola, 12, and Fiona, 8. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, 42, shares her favorite back to school quote, from none other than Dr. Seuss.
“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
The mom-of-three went on to share her favorite aspect of the back to school season. “[I love] all the excitement that brews over new classes, new teachers, new clothes and a new year of experiences,” Jennie tells Celebrity Baby Scoop.
Some of her favorite back to school products? “I love Mabel’s Labels because it makes everything so easy to keep track of — especially when you have 3 girls,” Jennie says. “I also love the Planet Box lunch boxes — they keep everything fresh without hurting the environment.”
Pregnant in Heels star Rosie Pope and her husband Daron are parents to four kids: sons J.R., nearly 6, Wells, 3, and daughters Vivienne, 2, and Bridget, 5 months. The mother-of-four, 34, advises moms to start their day earlier than everyone else.
“The more time you give yourself the less stressed you’ll be,” Rosie shares with Celebrity Baby Scoop.
“I found myself constantly nagging the kids to get dressed, eat breakfast, run to the car, run, run, run,” she admits. “[Then I asked myself] why make the morning so stressful when adding an element of time can make each morning so much more fun. Waking up earlier also means earlier to bed and that gives you a little personal time too.”
As for the back to school season excitement, Rosie says she’s a “total nerd.”
“I’m a total nerd at heart and so I love, love preparing for back to school with stationary buying adventures and picking out this years’ back packs,” she admits. “The more excitement around school, the more your child will want to go and that’s a beautiful thing.”
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch alum Melissa Joan Hart and her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, are parents to three sons: Mason, 8, Brady, 6, and Tucker, nearly 2.
The mom-of-three, 38, talks about the “bittersweet” aspect of the back to school season.
“It’s always bittersweet when the fall arrives and it’s time to get the kiddies back to school,” MJH tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “It marks the end of summer and signifies that your little ones are growing up too quickly.”
That said, the Melissa & Joey actress is sure to count her blessings at the same time.
“But, usually for busy mommies, it can be a blessing to have your days to yourself again — at least for a little while,” she says. “But it also means busy mornings trying to get your picky eaters to hurry and finish their sausage and eggs so they don’t miss the bus or the bell. And it also means the crazy over-scheduled sports routines begin again — not to mention homework.”
The actress goes on to share some of her favorite back to school products that help her smooth-out the transition.
“Some things that help me get my kids back to school ready are Mabel’s Labels because I can make sure all those coats, backpacks, lunch boxes and hats don’t go missing,” says the busy mom-of-three. “It’s always nice for the kids when you send them off with a new first day of school outfit, and of course a new pair of sneakers by Stride Rite that will help them get the most out of walking those hallways and navigating recess times. And Net Nanny is a great tool to help parents feel like they are protecting their kids when they are online attempting to do their homework.”
Extra host Mario Lopez and his wife, Broadway dancer Courtney Lopez, are parents to daughter Gia, nearly 4, and son Dominic, 11 months. The mom-of-two, 32, opens up about the back to school season.
“The back to school brings an excitement to our household,” Courtney tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “We love school!”
Courtney goes on to share some of her favorite back to school products.
“It’s always fun to order Gia’s new Mabel’s Labels to help keep her stuff out of the lost and found, her stylish, yet dependable Stride Rite shoes, and now we have discovered Net Nanny to keep her safe when she uses the internet for any cute little assignments,” she shares. “I just finished reading a book from Melea Johnson (“Create Your Own Money Saving Adventure” from www.freebies2Deals.com) on how to save for all of our back to school goodies, too.”
Today Show co-anchor Natalie Morales and husband Joseph Rhodes are parents to two sons: Josh, 10, and Luke, 6. The NBC News star talks about about her love of the back to school season.
“Back to school has always been my favorite time of year,” Natalie tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “Now that I have kids, even more so! It’s about new beginnings, new possibilities and of course back to school shopping.”
The mom-of-two, 42, shares her best tips for getting ready for the season.
“A few weeks before school starts, I always look through my kids clothes and make sure they have everything they need,” she shares. “I have them try on stuff that they may have outgrown and figure out what I need to replace. And I love getting new school supplies. I still remember every year I always loved getting my new Trapper Keeper. With two young boys who lose everything, I also make a point of labeling everything and I love Mabel’s Labels.”
Entertainment Tonight correspondent Brooke Anderson and her husband Jim Walker are parents to daughters Kate, 5, and Lily George, 8 months. The mom-of-two, 36, talks about her love for school and getting her girls ready for class.
“School is the first step in making your dreams a reality,” Brooke shares with Celebrity Baby Scoop.
She adds: “My mom was a teacher so I saw firsthand how hard she worked to ensure her students learned as much as possible while also having fun. It’s important to not only nurture learning and reading in our children, but to thank the teachers who dedicate so much to helping kids grow and achieve.”
And it’s a bittersweet school season for her elder daughter who is entering “big girl school.”
“I love the fresh start and new beginning that comes with every back to school season,” Brooke says. “A new backpack, pencil set, and first day outfit add to the excitement too. I have to say, I’m a little emotional about it this year as my daughter graduated preschool and is starting kindergarten — real school! Where did my little baby go? Although I’m anxious, luckily she is thrilled and cannot wait to begin ‘big girl’ school. So no need to worry! Right?!”
Brooke goes on to share some of her best tips – and products – for the back to school season.
“When I say I label everything with Mabel’s Labels, I label everything – backpack, lunch bag, clothes, shoes,” she admits. “It gives me peace of mind that her belongings will always make their way back to her even if she misplaces them (as 5-year olds tend to do). And bonus, the labels are super cute and fun. My daughter loves to pick out her own clothes and shoes and I’m sure the first day outfit will be a big deal [laughs]. She will probably choose her fave Hello Kitty Stride Rite kicks to give her a little luck as she navigates kindergarten.”
Project Runway host Nina Garcia and husband David Conrod are parents to two sons: Lucas, 7, and Alexander, nearly 4.
“I love to see my kids energized by the back to school excitement,” the mom-of-two, 49, tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “They can’t wait to see their friends, meet their new teachers, and get back to their routine.”
As for getting her sons prepared for class, Nina enjoys every moment.
“We really enjoy planning for back to school and buying their uniforms for school and sports,” Nina shares. “We order most of our back to school clothes from Lands Ends, LL Bean, Patagonia and Brooks Bros. We use Mabel’s Labels to organize it all.”
She adds: “I remember the excitement that I felt when going back to school. I enjoy seeing the excitement now in my kids and I do my very best to make it a family planning event.”
Bachelor couple Jason and Molly Mesnick are proud parents to 1-year-old daughter Riley.
“When I was a kid, buying all of my new school supplies was the best part of getting ready to go back to school,” Molly tells Celebrity Baby Scoop. “I still love doing that with Ty today,” she says of her 9-year-old stepson.
Some of her favorite back to school products? “I love Mabel’s Labels, the reality star, 29, says. “[They are] perfect for the kids’ lunch boxes, gym shoes, and school supplies. I also love to stock up on Stride Rite shoes. The kids wear through them so quickly, so we’ll get them a few pairs for every occasion and activity.”
NYPD Blue star Garcelle Beauvais is proud mom to three sons: Oliver, 23, and twins Jax and Jaid, nearly 7.
With her second children’s book titled, I Am Living In Two Homes, coming out August 19 on Amazon, the actress-singer, 47, shares her favorite mommy motto.
“I always say, ‘Be the BEST you can be,’ to my boys,” Garcelle shares with Celebrity Baby Scoop.
As for her favorite aspects of getting back to school, the mom-of-three admits she gets wrapped up in the excitement of the season.
“I love the shopping, of course,” she laughs. “Target is our go-to store. I also love the excitement of getting to see which teacher we get and which friends are in the boys class.”
And she shares her favorite back to school products. “[I love getting new] backpacks, Stride Rite sneakers, cool water bottles, all labeled with Mabel’s Labels.”
- Chandie and Joey Lawrence:
“Here we go again” is Chandie and Joey Lawrence‘s favorite back to school quote. The couple are parents to daughters Charleston, 8, and Liberty, 4.
As for their favorite aspect of the back to school season, Chandie says it’s “the excitement from our girls.” She adds: “Getting new lunch boxes, backpacks and clothes. And, them seeing their friends again! We get excited seeing all the new things they are learning and remembering.”
The couple went on to list their favorite back to school products.
“[We love] Mabel’s Labels – gotta label things, right?” they laugh. “[We also use] Thirty-One gifts lunch totes and utility totes for dance and sports; Funkins cloth napkins (perfect little place mats for the not so clean lunch room tables); Sistema food containers (they are totally amazing); Nalgene water bottles; and of course the LL Bean backpack (they are indestructible). As well, Lunch Box Love have these little love notes with fun trivia which a staple for the lunch bags — the perfect reminder that they are being thought of during the day.”
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The Balancing Act 