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Chip Leighton has mixed feelings about the summer coming to an end. “During summer, we’re always asking, ‘What week is my kid going to camp? What week is it anyway?’” says Leighton. “Fall brings a more predictable routine, which is both good and bad.”
Leighton has made quite a career out of his observations on family life as the creator and host of The Leighton Show, which boasts over a million followers across social media. You might have seen his viral clips like “Things I’ve Apologized to My Wife For” or “Texts From Our College Freshman.” Leighton delivers his takes on marriage and child rearing with a deadpan sense of humor, a relatable truthfulness, and a hefty dose of snark. His new book, “What Time is Noon: Hilarious Texts, Ridiculous Feedback, and Not-So-Subtle Advice from Teenagers,” comes out in November.
As the designated household cook in his family home in Maine, Leighton is soaking up the end of summer with plenty of meals on the grill, plus time kayaking and enjoying the season’s remaining sunshine. He’s also planning to stock up on everything he needs as his teens head back to high school and college for the school year ahead. “The tourists will leave, and our rhythms will change,” he reflects.
He's bracing for an inevitable busy season. “As kids get into their teenage years, their schedules get crazy during the school year,” says Leighton. “With violin lessons, part-time jobs, sports practice, it’s sort of a Rubik’s cube. There is shockingly little free time.” So he’s spending the time he can with his kids now, especially savoring family dinners together.
But that’s just one of the reasons Leighton recommends doing all your back-to-school shopping with DoorDash. Your kids will be grateful, he says, “Especially if you have teenagers, because that way they don’t have to worry that you’ll see one of their friends at the store and do something weird like say hello.”
In addition to all the standard school supplies — notebooks, pens, binders — plus new lunchboxes and backpacks, here’s what Leighton will be ordering when…
…he’s getting ready to feed his family those dinners.
I’m a fan of whatever helps with quick weeknight meals. We’re big pasta people — it’s a standby about once a week — and we always have chicken in the freezer. We do a lot of meals that people can personalize, like carnitas tacos with avocado and other fixings. One kid doesn’t like seafood, so lobster is an occasional indulgence for me and my wife.
…he needs a break from cooking.
We’ll order pizza, or Thai. It still counts as family dinner if we’re eating together.
..his kids demand snacks.
We always have fruit in the fridge — grapes and strawberries are healthy and great to have on hand. We also like energy bars, chips, peanut butter crackers, and Goldfish for when we’re on the run. We couldn’t manage without snacks.
…his kids forget their lunch.
That’s where snacks come into play. My wife or I might make an emergency drop off at school. We might.
…his kids forget their backpacks.
This has never happened. Maybe we have the perfect kids.
…his kids forget their phones.
Never! But we always have portable brick charging blocks on hand if someone needs juice for their phone. These are great to keep in their backpacks and in the car.
…his kids forget they have a project due.
There are somehow always unexpected school projects that your kid doesn’t tell you about until the night before. Stock up on some extra foam boards and poster boards you can use to help pull something together.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Joanne Lee Photography, Inc.
