NEED TO KNOW

  • Meghan Markle reveals her top back-to-school tips inspired by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
  • From surprise backpack treats to lunchbox twists, she shares ways to make the school year special
  • The Duchess of Sussex recently shared photos of her children visiting her on the set of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan

With Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, heading back to school, Meghan Markle is sharing her favorite ways to make the transition smoother — and more meaningful.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, just returned to Netflix with season 2 of With Love, Meghan, where she cooks, crafts and collaborates with guests like Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, Jay Shetty, José Andrés and Samin Norsat. Now, she’s channeling that same creativity into thoughtful tips for navigating the new school year.

Read on for Meghan’s best advice to kick off back-to-school season, shared exclusively with PEOPLE.

Prince Harry, Prince Archie, Meghan Markle and Princess Lilibet at Disneyland.

Meghan Markle /Instagram

Never underestimate the value of a handwritten note

“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?” says Meghan, who previously worked as a calligrapher before her starring role on Suits. 

“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,” she continues. “If it’s in your handwriting, even better. Just take one minute to do it; it can go such a long way!”

Meghan Markle in season 2 of “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix.

Jake Rosenberg/Netflix

Backpack surprise 

“Nestle a sweet something (not suggesting candy) into their backpack on the first Friday back to school,” the Duchess of Sussex suggests. “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 says. “Love is in the details.”

Lunchboxes 

“If your kids are like mine, they love ‘breakfast for dinner,’ just as I did when I was young,” Meghan says about one of her go-tos for Archie and Lilibet. “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!”

The Duchess of Sussex adds, “And when in doubt, a few flower sprinkles are fun too!” she adds, referencing one of her signature products from her lifestyle brand, As ever.

Meghan Markle and Tan France in season 2 of “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix.

Jake Rosenberg/Netflix

Rose and thorn

“It’s a classic, but sometimes we forget about this easy prompt. 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,” Meghan says.

“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!),” the Duchess of Sussex explains.

(Left) Meghan Markle and Princess Lilibet; (Right) Prince Archie.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram

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Meghan, who recently shared behind-the-scenes photos of Archie and Lilibet visiting her on the set of her Netflix series, previously told PEOPLE about her “nightcap recaps” with her husband, Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex said their evenings are marked by the tradition in which they unwind with a drink and debrief about their days while preparing lunch boxes for their kids.

“I think all parents in this phase with kids the same age know it’s rinse and repeat,” Meghan said about their routine.