So your precious baby has left the nest....not litterally, but they are moving on in life. Out of the frying pan of domesticiy and into the flames of mainstream education. Yes, the first day at school is a daunting experience for both kids and parents alike. I have recently found myself in the alien realm of shopping for my daughters very first school uniform! And by god, what an alien world this is.

Rails and rails of white, navy, black and grey garments...

..it is of course practical to dress your child in these dull uniforms, but if any of your children out there are like mine, individualism is a major factor in their development and a sense of their own little identity.

My daughter displays her own fashion forwardness daily by paying attention to mixing fabrics, prints and colours, like for example, she teams stripey tights with dirty converse, a tutu and a block colour tee-shirt on her good days lol.

I fear the notion of a uniform, compulsory as they are, and utterly practical will inhibit her sense of self and lead to her to rebel against conformism. Of course, I am aware I am being completely ridiculous and my worries are totally irrational, I should point out that my daughter is a child of mearly 4 and 3 quarters!!!! But I have a sneaking suspicion that if she is anything like her mother, she will be committed to customising whatever plain "boring" uniform I buy this month.

So, I have thought out some clever ways to enable my daughter express her individual style whist wearing her uniform, and still adhering to the strict code of dress I have been furnished with from her school.

1. Hair Clips/Hair Bands, funky colours...allow kiddies to put their own stamp on their school uniform, without being too outrageous.

2. School Bags, can be chosen by your child, and can reflect your childs favourite TV Character for example.

3. Watches, provided boys are allowed to wear them. Cute little watches are really cheap these days and are a great way of adding a pop of colour and a trendiness to any little boys uniform. You could look at watches of little ladies too!

4. Funky Stationery, your child can pick and choose, pencils and pencil cases to reflect his/her own individual tastes.

5. A Great BIG Smile.....its a stressful time, this back to school phase, so SMILE, deep breaths and lots of happy memories are sure to be made xxxxxx