Parents' top back-to-school picks and tips

Save time and money as summer comes to an end. [The Charlotte Observer]( Deals of the week We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. [Read More]( Source: iStock Shop Neil Patrick Harris’ back-to-school picks on Amazon One look through Neil Patrick Harris’ [Instagram]( will also show that he’s wonderfully caring and loving towards his family. Harris and his husband, [David Burtka]( have two beautiful children, and together the two of them share tons of adorable, heartwarming pictures of their family’s adventures. It’s clear that Harris wants what’s best for his children just like any parent does, and thanks to his [Amazon back-to-school picks]( you can easily spoil your children to the same standard. [Read More]( [Read More]( Source: iStock 3 fun ways your kids can spend their time after school It’s officially time to say goodbye to summer and hello to the new school year. While each school year brings plenty of opportunities for learning and growth, your child no longer has the whole day to go to theme parks and summer camps with their friends like they did all summer. Don’t worry, parents: there’s still plenty of fun to be had during the school year. With a [little bit of creativity]( and dedicated time, you can fill those daunting after-school hours with family bonding instead of constant screen time and video games. These three fun tips can help occupy your child’s time after school without the sound of Roblox ringing in your ears. [Read More]( [Read More]( Source: iStock Here are Busy Philipps’ back-to-school picks Freaks and Geeks star Busy Phillips knows her way around the back-to-school shuffle. With children aged 7 and 12, she’s had plenty of opportunities to sort through all the options and discover what works best. Her [list of back-to-school essentials]( on Amazon has sales for everyone and acts as a one-stop shop for everything you’ll need, saving you time and money as the summer comes to an end. When the school year starts back up your mind might go a million different directions at once. Kids need everything from [notebooks]( to [sunscreen]( and it’s hard to know where to start and end especially if you’re on a budget. Take it from an old pro like Busy, these back-to-school essentials should be the first on your list. [Read More]( [Read More]( Source: iStock Tips on managing your kid’s screen time after school People of all ages can relate to struggling with excessive screen time. We have phones we don’t go anywhere without and TVs in nearly every room. Our children are no exception as they’re regularly exposed to all of the same gadgets we are. They also tend to have extra time on their hands, so their [screen time habits]( can sometimes be more of a challenge to handle. Many of us know how detrimental too much screen time can be to our overall physical and mental health. Limiting your child’s screen time is just as important. Not only is it better for them in general, but it also frees up time for you to spend some quality time together. Check out some of these [creative tips]( and [products]( to help manage your child’s screen time after school. [Read More]( More of this week’s best deals: - [The ultimate guide to dorm room house plants]( - [You can get Apple Airpods on sale for as low as $100, just in time for back-to-school]( - [Life-changing tips for waking up early for school]( - [Amazon's most-loved dorm decor starts as low as $10]( - [These TikTok-famous products are perfect for dorm life]( - [Here's a classroom-approved guide to note-taking]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are signed up to receive special offers and promotions from trusted Charlotte Observer partners. If you no longer wish to receive emails of this type, you may [unsubscribe]( or [update your email preferences](. We are unable to monitor replies to this email. Please [contact customer service]( if you have any questions or concerns. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [View in Browser]( Copyright © 2022 The Charlotte Observer. All Rights Reserved. 9140 Research Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262