Zappos Moms confess their Stress, fustrations, and excitments for "Back to School" time!

Interview with Heather C (Parent of Jakob)

As a parent, what are the biggest challenges you encounter when preparing for back to school?
Trying to get my son to go to sleep earlier. He still wants to stay up to 11 to watch the end of wrestling!

What are the kids most excited about when it comes to returning back to school?
Wearing all their cool new school clothes & shoes. Purchased from zappos.com of course! Check out Jakob's fave shirt!

What are the most predominant kids trends for the season?
Bright colors, skate shoes, skinny jeans

What are the top 5 most important items to equip your child with for back to school?
Cool shoes, book bag, shirts that no one else has, plenty of supplies & trying to get them pumped to learn!

What is your favorite part about back to school?
The first day. It always makes me cry!

What is your fondest back to school memory?
Well it's only been 2 years for me, but the stories of how his day went are priceless. The other day I asked how his day went and his reply was "Wow, I had a rough day". It's like “Really dude, you're in first grade!”

Zappos Moms confess their Stress, fustrations, and excitments for "Back to School" time!

Interview with Dee C. (Parent of Alyssa & Chris)

As a parent, what are the biggest challenges you encounter when preparing for back to school?
One of the biggest challenges for me this year was timing. With a daughter starting 6th grade and a son starting Kindergarten, it was tough. Running around and trying to buy the right thing for each. With a busy work schedule that is not always possible. I must admit, I did do a lot more shopping online than I have ever before. It is so convenient and it doesn't hurt that I work at Zappos. We really do have some great choices.

What are the kids most excited about when it comes to returning back to school?
The kids??? What about the parents? This question should read….What are the parents most excited about when it comes to Back to School!

What are the most predominant kids trends for the season?
For my 4 year old….skate. For my 10 year old daughter….fashion. The trends for kids in my neighborhood is mixed. We have such a array of fashion trends happening and it is great to see. Girls are very trendy with bling and denim skirts and printed leggings or more casual with cargo pants, converse and tees. Some boys are wearing more rocker style jeans with a very slim fit, tees and sneakers. The trend has definitely gone away from the bagger jean, and that is great! Can't forget your ever so faithful athletic style. This will always be strong no matter where you go. It is comfortable and yet fashionable.

What are the top 5 most important items to equip your child with for back to school?
Folder with a strap, water, money, trendy backpack and a watch…..For my daughter, she insisted on getting a folder with a strap so she didn’t have to carry it all across the school. A trendy backpack to carry her stuff home in…because backpacks are not allowed during school hours anymore. Money is very important because Junior High snacks and food are so expensive now….or I am just getting old. I'm sorry but $5 a day really takes a hit in Mom's purse buying budget. hahaha Oh and I can't forget the watch. Now she has no excuse to call and check in late.

What is your favorite part about back to school?
I save on childcare!!! It really brings a tear to my eye…..childcare costs are ridiculous!!! (Worth it…but ridiculous!)

What is your fondest back to school memory?
My little boy started what he calls "Big Boy School." It was great to walk him into his new class and find his name on the little short table with the little chair. All you saw was flash after flash in the room. Mothers and fathers snapping away as they watched their little man or little lady coloring. His teacher ever so nicely kept saying…."Ok Mom and Dad, it's probably time for you to say your good-bye's…..bye…." as she gestured for us to leave with her hand. You know we stayed! hahaha… End Scene….roll out the tears.

Zappos Moms confess their Stress, fustrations, and excitments for "Back to School" time!



Interview with Sara W. (Parent of Jordyn & Zach)

As a parent, what are the biggest challenges you encounter when preparing for back to school?
“This year, the fact that my daughter started high school!! haha Oh lord… Well honestly the biggest challenge for me is getting them back in a routine and waking up early!”

What are the kids most excited about when it comes to returning back to school?
“Their social life?! haha They get cabin fever during the summer so they always want to go back to school.”

What are the most predominant kids trends for the season?
“I think there are a lot of trends and it just depends on the child's style. My daughter, for instance, will only wear black, white or red because I'm assuming you're not cool otherwise? I just don't know. Skinny jeans!!! I would say the 'skate' trend is always huge, especially in high school! Urban is big.”

What are the top 5 most important items to equip your child with for back to school?
“Mace, Lunch, Shoes (enter zappos!), Backpack and Bicycle“

What is your favorite part about back to school?
“Get OUT of my house!!!!!!! Every parent knows that”

What is your fondest back to school memory?
“Aaaaw, ok I will be serious on this one. My son is my baby and I was retarded and cried his first day of Kindergarten! I think a lot of parents do that!? My daughter always had this beautiful, long, curly hair and when she started 1st grade, I chopped it all off for picture day which was right after school started. That day ended up being September 11th and so I was trippin on wether to send her to school or not! But she looked so cute I sent her anyway and forever have her first grade school pictures taken on that day. “