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Back to School The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Exclusive: Melissa Gorga Helps You Get Back-to-School Ready

The #RHONJ mom shares her secret to prepping her kids for the best first day ever.

By Jordan Upmalis

With three kids under the age of 10, Melissa Gorga is a seasoned vet when it comes to getting her little ones ready to return to hitting the books. The Daily Dish caught up with the Real Housewives of New Jersey mom and got her take on back-to-school essentials, that one must-have item, and who's more nervous when they walk up to bus stop for the first time. Read on for some tips on sending your own little ones back to school. 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 premiere May 5th at 8/9c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock.

What do you need for the first day of school?
Melissa Gorga: Well, there’s obviously the school supplies, I think that’s number one. There’s school shopping, there’s the haircuts — everybody wants the special or new haircut before school, especially the little boys. It’s always picking out the first day of school outfit.

Which of your children takes back-to-school fashion more seriously than the others?
I think it’s definitely a bigger deal when it comes to Antonia — it’s a huge thing for her. She needs to have the perfect shoes and the perfect outfit to go back to school and you know I’m one of those moms who’s at the bus stop with my camcorder every year, with my phone taking a million pictures as they get on the bus. We always pose for back to school pictures and we always take a million pictures on the first day of school. With the boys they’re like, "Whatever," They don’t care, they throw a t-shirt on and they’re happy. But [with] Antonia, it’s a big deal for her.

What's the must-have item this year? 
Another big thing I’m noticing is the backpack. You have to have the cool backpack, like the “in” backpack. Every year there’s something new.

What seem to be the backpack trends?
Last year it was Vera Bradley with all the prints. I think this year, I love the ones with the spikes. These backpacks have cones and spikes coming off the pack and they’re really cool. We didn’t go backpack shopping yet — we still have to do that. 

Who’s more nervous on the first day of school? 
I think me. I run around like a nut. They get up and go with the flow and I’m up making sure everything’s perfect. I think it’s exciting, it’s like, "Yay! The kids are going back to school!" You have your days back, but at the same time you miss them! Because I’m with my kids all summer, I don’t send them to camp or anything.

Want to get a glimpse of what Melissa might be wearing when she takes the kids to the bus stop? Check out a tour of her closet in the clip below.

And check out her adorable children in the gallery.

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