Back to School
As we enjoy the longer, less structured days of summer sitting poolside, traveling to new places or enjoying the local resort scene with a staycation, the inevitable start of the new school year creeps closer. Jenny Knudsen, MAS co-owner and Mom of two kids, ages 11 and 13, shares her tips on how she preps for back to school.
I don’t know about you but for me the start of a new school year signals a fresh start or a new beginning similar to that of January 1 st . The desire to start the new school year with an organized game plan to make the chaos of juggling the kids schedules with work and other social activities seem in my control. One thing that I have worked with my kids on is teaching them independence in different areas of their life. Teaching them how to do laundry, cook themselves meals, pack their school lunches, and create habits for successful morning and evening routines.
Let’s touch on that morning routine. My kids are 11 and 13, so they are pretty independent in getting themselves ready in the morning. When they were younger we started giving them the independence to style their own hair and pick out their outfits. This helped them grow their confidence with their own personal style and gave us a break in the morning, making mornings easier for everyone. Gaining full independence takes time. Give them small tasks to start and build on that. Celebrate the wins, be there to wipe the tears and try again when it’s challenging. One way to set them up for success when styling their own hair is to make sure they have the right tools and give them some quick pointers or better yet ask their MAS stylist to give them styling pointers at their back-to-school haircut appointment.
Must haves for kids:
1. Hair Brush. Some of our favorites for your kiddo are Olivia Garden iDetangle brushes, Olivia Garden Supreme Combo brushes, or Aveda Mini Wooden Paddle brush. Pro Tip: For longer hair, brush ends to roots to detangle.
2. Styling Products. Do your kids complain about how product feels in their hair? We get it but, there are still some great products to use for taming frizz and polishing their natural styles without the feeling of product in their hair. Aveda’s Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner is great for detangling, also protects the hair and hydrates for up to 72 hours. Bumble and bumble’s Tonic lotion is a perfect detangler and has tea tree oil making it a deterrent for lice. If your kids are older and ready to add some more styling products to their regimen as your stylist, what is the #1 product my kid should use for the style they want to achieve?
Remember: Keep it simple because the goal is for them to do it themselves.
3. Hair Ties, Headbands + Claws. Teleties are a great alternative to elastic hair ties, they prevent damage, minimize creases, and come in a ton of fun colors! They double as bracelets, too! Use a Teleties headband to keep your hair out of your face or a tiny claw for a cute half up style.
Pro Tip: Create a hairstyling caddy to keep in the laundry room, downstairs powder room or in the car. We love the 5-Section Acrylic Tote from the Container Store. Inside your caddy store a hairbrush, Nutriplenish Leave-In or Tonic spray, Air Control Hair Spray and Teleties. This makes styling easy anytime you need to freshen your look. Don’t forget to schedule your kids back to school appointments and visit MAS Shop to get the family set with the best products to make mornings a breeze.