New school uniforms, shoes and haircuts every parent knows what’s needed for the start of the new school year.
Unlike Dundee couple Maggie and Andy Tolan, however, not every family have to buy their own “minibus” to get their kids to school.
Maggie (33) and Andy (26) have seven kids under 12, five of them school age, with four-year-old twins Kyle and Saul setting off on their school adventures for the first time on Wednesday.
And with two younger children adding to the “madhouse,” it is hardly surprising that Maggie says she cannot wait for school to start again.
“It is a bit of a hassle getting places we just do double journeys, going back and forward to places,” she said.
With her oldest son Paul (11) starting secondary at Craigie High School, and youngest son Ryan (3) going to nursery soon for the first time, it adds up to a hectic schedule.
“We bought a seven-seat people carrier but I think we need a minibus now to get everybody to school and nursery.
“We moved out to Panmurefield Village in 2008 but we decided to keep the kids at the same school and because we’re out here there’s no school bus.
“My mum is taking the youngest two overnight tonight so we can all go in the car together for the twins’ first day at school.
“The first drop-off will be Paul at quarter to nine then it’ll be round to Craigiebarns with Matthew (10), Jamie (5) and the twins at nine o’clock.
“The twins are really excited about it. We’re taking them all for haircuts before they start.”
To add to the complications, Kyle and Saul suffer severe asthma, which has led to Andy giving up work to join Maggie as full-time carers for their children.
Maggie said: “They have done all their lives and they’re on umpteen medicines. But they don’t know any different, even when they are sick a lot of the time.
“They’re always running around and it’s a bit of a crazy house but my mum Esther is always on hand to help.
“It’s bedlam here sometimes lots of fighting with six boys and one girl (two-year-old Neave) all jostling for position, everybody wanting to be top dog.
“But it’s good fun too, although I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet when they’re all at school or nursery.”