man i swear back to school stress is kicking my butt right this second. i’m sitting here at the kitchen table with coffee that’s gone cold because i got distracted by the pile of forms i still haven’t signed, kids are finally on the bus after the usual “where’s my other shoe” drama, and the house smells like burnt Eggo waffles from breakfast. it’s august (or whenever this hits), the ac is running full blast because it’s already sticky outside, and my brain is just… buzzing.
why back to school stress feels like it’s targeting me personally
i’m not one of those chill parents who has everything color-coded and ready by july. nope. last year i legit panicked in the walmart aisle because the supply list said “wide-ruled spiral notebook” and all they had were college-ruled. stood there like an idiot debating if it mattered. then cried a little in the car on the way home because my oldest was starting high school and suddenly looked too grown. back to school stress isn’t cute—it’s me lying awake thinking “what if they hate their locker neighbor” or “did i remember to label the water bottle?”
i still carry my own dumb kid memories. like the time in 6th grade i forgot my gym shorts and had to sit out in jeans while everyone laughed. now i’m the one hovering asking “you sure you have everything?” fifty times. they hate it. i get it.
routines that kinda work (when i actually do them)
i’ve finally figured out starting the bedtime shift early-ish. like ten days before school we push lights out back 10-15 minutes a night. we do fake mornings too—alarm, clothes, pack a pretend lunch. last time i skipped it and boom first day we were sprinting out the door with unbrushed hair.
stuff that’s saved me:
- outfits picked night before (including socks—socks are the enemy)
- lunches made while we watch whatever dumb show they’re into
- big checklist on the fridge with magnets because otherwise it disappears
read something on kidshealth.org or whatever about how routines cut anxiety. yeah it helps. i still forget half the time tho.
talking it out (awkward edition)
my kids are different. one won’t say two words when stressed, just earbuds in and stare at phone. other one talks nonstop but circles around the real thing. i do car talks best—no staring contest. “anything freaking you out about school?” sometimes i get “nah” sometimes “what if lunch is weird again?”
i throw in my embarrassing stories to make it less heavy. “i once wore my shirt inside out all day in 7th grade. survived.” they usually laugh or at least roll eyes less hard. if it’s real bad—can’t sleep, tummy hurts daily—i bug the pediatrician or school counselor quick. no point pretending.
remembering i’m a person too (lol whoops)
back to school stress makes me a gremlin. live on drive-thru iced coffee, skip walks with the dog, snap at nothing. but when i force myself to do one small thing—like sit on the steps for five minutes after drop-off with no scrolling—it helps. text a friend “i’m dying send coffee” or whatever.
started letting the older kid pack their own snacks. they’re capable. mostly. when i chill a bit the whole vibe chills.
the inevitable disaster days
true story from last august: spilled half a yeti full of coffee on three different forms, yelled about missing library book, then ran down the driveway in socks to hand my kid a forgotten granola bar. neighbor waved awkwardly. kid texted later “u good? 😂” we laugh about it now. kinda.
some days are smoother. some are war zones. if it’s nonstop for anyone, get help. doctor, therapist, whoever.
anyway. back to school stress sucks hard but it passes. you’re not screwing up if it’s messy—you’re normal. try shifting bedtime a little earlier this week or whatever small thing. comment your hacks cuz lord knows i need them.
we’re in this together. ish.
(also the child mind institute has decent parent tips if you’re googling in a panic like me.)
Exhausted mom quietly quits household chores and this is what happened after just 3 days – Upworthy
(that kitchen mess one feels pretty close to my life rn—imagine more spilled cereal tho)
School threatens mom with CPS after missed calls when child was sick. They never called dad. – Upworthy
