I never learn my lesson

This year, like every year, is the same. I wait until the last minute then dash around trying to buy my children’s school uniforms only to get annoyed when I can’t find the right size/colour/length. Luckily, I managed to sprint to the rails and distract another mother so I could grab the last pair of school trousers to fit my 10-year-old son otherwise he would have had to go to school in his PE shorts or pyjamas. My daughter still doesn’t have an outfit, and it’s just 48 hours before she starts her new school, so I’ll end up buying it 10 minutes before the bell rings or send her for her first day in her old school’s kit. Luckily she is only five so her classmates might not be able to read her old school’s name emblazoned across her shirts. Each year I promise myself I’ll be better organised but it never happens. If, like me, you’ve left it to the last minute, turn to pages 42 and 59 for inspiration.

But once I have my kids’ outfits sorted what am I going to wear on the first day of term? It’s hard to look polished when you’ve been up since 6am making packed lunches, plaiting braids, shining shoes and generally ensuring your kids look spick and span – at least for their first day of the new term. I’ll need the advice on page 48 on how to look glam at the school gate, plus waterproof mascara as I shed a tear about how smart – and grown up – my children look going to school. Until next week,