Meghan Markle has shared tips for parents preparing their children to head back to school, offering advice on how to make the transition smoother.
The Duchess of Sussex suggested that small gestures from parents can go a long way in boosting a child’s confidence.
Meghan, who previously worked as a calligrapher before starring in Suits, said: "Scribble something for your little one and tuck it in their lunchbox — a joke, a little poem, your own version of Mad Libs, or just a sentence telling your child what your favorite thing about them is or how much you love them. Who doesn’t appreciate being thought of?"
She added that such validation could encourage during what can be an overwhelming time of year.
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The mother-of-two explained: "And that validation from a parent when they’re going back into school may be just the boost your child needs, whether in pre-K or as a teen.
"If it’s in your handwriting, even better. Just take one minute to do it; it can go such a long way!"
Meghan also recommended slipping a small treat into a backpack at the end of the first week.
She continued to tell People: "Nestle a sweet something (not suggesting candy) into their backpack on the first Friday back to school.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet pictured joining Meghan Markle on set | INSTAGRAM / @MEGHAN"The first week can have a lot of big feelings, and a little nod to let them know you see them is so special. Try a tiny pack of stickers, a funny photo of your family, or an unexpected surprise like something you used to find in a Cracker Jack box."
"It doesn’t have to cost much at all, just a little trinket to celebrate the first week, tucked in as a surprise," she explained, adding: "Love is in the details."
The Duchess also revealed that her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, enjoy the novelty of having breakfast foods at lunchtime.
"If your kids are like mine, they love 'breakfast for dinner,' just as I did when I was young," she said.
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| NETFLIX"Swap out a sandwich for waffles or pancakes (you can use the frozen ones), a mini packet or scoop of jam, some bacon, and hard-boiled eggs with salt. You can have fun with this and decorate the lunchboxes in unique ways every day, but if there’s no time, just the novelty of breakfast for lunch can sometimes be a welcome win!"
"And when in doubt, a few flower sprinkles are fun too!" Meghan added, referencing one of her signature products from her lifestyle brand As Ever.
She also encouraged families to use simple rituals to connect after school: "It’s a classic, but sometimes we forget about this easy prompt.
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"Taking the time at the end of the day to connect as a family and talk about your ‘rose’ and ‘thorn’ at dinner can be a wonderful way to bring everyone closer. You can even do this on the car ride home after the school day is over.
"Your rose is a highlight of your day, and your thorn is something that maybe didn’t feel so good or that hurt a little bit.
"Sharing both is a great opportunity to talk about your days together. It’s also better than the one-word answer you can get if you just ask, 'How was your day?' (Though, truth be told, our children have now started saying, 'My day was just a blast!' and that makes us smile to no end!)."