Real-life help from a mom who gets it
Back to school can be exciting, overwhelming and emotional — sometimes all before 9 a.m.
If you’re a mom trying to juggle drop-off schedules, supply lists, earlier bedtimes and maybe even your own work responsibilities, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there (still am there!), and I want to share some of the back to school tips that have helped our family navigate the start of a new school year with a little more peace and a lot more grace.
Whether you’ve got littles starting preschool or big kids heading into high school, these 20 practical and faith-filled tips are for you — from one real-life mom to another.
1. Practice lunchbox skills before day one
If your child is new to packing a lunch or hasn’t used certain containers before, take a little time to practice. Let them open their lunchbox, unzip their sandwich bag and open any tricky containers.
What’s second nature to us as adults might trip up a 5-year-old at a crowded lunch table. Plus, practicing now can save them frustration and help them feel more independent when the first lunch bell rings.
Also be sure to have them try things like opening milk cartons (if possible; these are harder to find!) and putting straws in juice boxes.
2. Ease into early wake-ups a few days at a time
If your summer mornings have been slow or even a bit slower than usual, gradually shifting back to earlier wake-ups will make the start of school easier.
Begin with setting alarms 30 minutes earlier each day in the week (or two!) leading up to school. This gentle transition helps reset their internal clocks without making that first school morning feel like a rude awakening.
It also gives you a chance to troubleshoot your own routine before it really counts. And, if your own schedule has been different, this allows your internal clock to reset as well.
3. Use a simple spreadsheet to track school supplies
I love spreadsheets. My latest obsession is AirTable, which takes spreadsheets to a whole new level. (Absolutely no affiliation with them. I just love them!)
Instead of relying on memory or digging through plastic bags every time you get home from Target, create a basic spreadsheet or phone note. List each item your child needs and check them off as you buy them.
You’ll save money by not doubling up and sanity by not second-guessing what you’ve already purchased. It also helps if you’re shopping for multiple kids or need to split up supply gathering with your spouse or older child.
Because school supply lists are often specific and, especially in elementary, can have overlapping supplies, spreadsheets just make organizing them all that much easier.
I even use a second page in the spreadsheet to track other things we need like backpacks, lunch containers, clothes, etc.
4. Shift bedtime gradually for everyone
Back to school means early mornings, so adjusting bedtimes is just as important. About a week before school starts, start backing up bedtime by 15 to 30 minutes each night.
Your kids might resist it, especially the older ones, but even just turning off devices and dimming the lights can help their bodies start winding down.
And just like with getting up earlier, it’s worth shifting your own bedtime too. Running on caffeine alone doesn’t count as self-care.
5. Create a “launch pad” near the door
Designate a spot by the door where backpacks, shoes, water bottles and school devices go. You can use a basket, a bench, a corner, a countertop or whatever.
Everything for school having a home near the door you exit will cut down on the morning chaos of misplaced items and last-minute scavenger hunts.
It also gives kids a small sense of responsibility as they learn to pack and unpack on their own. Bonus: It helps you feel more organized, even when the rest of the day is a blur.
6. Do a dry run of the morning routine
A couple of days before school starts, walk through your morning as if it’s the real thing. Set alarms, get dressed, eat breakfast, pack bags and time how long it all takes.
This helps everyone, including you, ease into the new rhythm and identify any problem areas (like realizing someone’s favorite hoodie is still in the washer).
It’s a low-stress way to set your family up for a smoother first day. You can also use it as an excuse to actually head out the door for some early errands or a doughnut trip.
7. Walk older kids through their new schedule
If your child is in middle or high school, try to walk the halls with them (or let them do it solo) before the first day.
Our school has an open house for all grades the week school starts. This is a great time to let them find their locker, locate their classrooms and get a feel for the flow.
Even if they say they’re fine, a little preparation can quiet some of those unspoken nerves. For kids who worry about the “what ifs,” this small step can make a big difference in their confidence.
Plus for kids like my daughter who is into aesthetics and organizing, it gives them a chance to set up their locker ahead of time rather than lugging all the supplies for it in on the first day.
8. Talk through first-day expectations
Sit down and talk through what the first day will look like. Cover everything from what time they need to wake up to how pickup works at the end of the day.
Go over things like what to pack for lunch, where they’ll wait for the bus or how they’ll find their classroom. Talk with them about what to do if they get lost, confused or have trouble.
Knowing the plan reduces anxiety for everyone. And if something does go off-plan (because it probably will), they’ll feel more prepared to adjust.
9. Build a grab-and-go snack station
Set up a basket or bin with school-approved and mom-approved snacks your kids can easily grab for their lunchboxes or after-school hunger.
Our basket includes granola bars, peanut butter crackers, breadsticks and cheese, fruit snacks and applesauce. Pick whatever works for your crew.
Having a dedicated snack station also helps avoid the endless “What can I eat?” question that seems to hit at 3:30 every day. And if your kids are packing or helping pack lunch, they have a go-to spot to grab from.
10. Start praying together about the school year
Find a time to pray together for the upcoming year. You can do this at breakfast, bedtime or whatever works naturally for your family.
Pray for their teachers, their classmates and for them to shine God’s love in whatever comes their way.
And don’t forget to pray for yourself for patience, peace and wisdom as you guide them through a new season.
These prayers not only speak to the heart of the Father, they remind your children and you that they aren’t going into the school year alone.
Check out these 30 back-to-school prayer cards to take inspire you.
11. Plan easy meals for the first week
The first week back can feel like a blur, so do yourself a favor and have a few go-to meals ready to go. Make a double batch of something simple like chili, baked pasta or muffins and freeze half.
You’ll thank yourself when dinnertime rolls around and you don’t have the energy to cook from scratch. Even frozen pancakes for breakfast can be a big win on a rushed morning.
Be sure to give yourself grace along the way as well. If you don’t want to cook ahead and freeze, plan easy meals your family likes that don’t take too much energy or thought.
Our family has a first day of school tradition of going out to dinner and talking about the day. That works, too!
12. Plug school events into your calendar early
As soon as you get that school email or paper calendar, plug all the key dates into your digital or paper planner. Things like early dismissals, school picture day, parent-teacher nights and holidays can sneak up fast.
Having them on your radar now helps you plan ahead (and not be the only mom who forgets pajama day). It’s a small habit that makes a big difference.
Don’t forget to share important dates with grandparents or other family and friends as well. As soon as I have concert dates and such, I pass that information along as well.
13. Set up a low-key homework station
You don’t need a full-blown homeschool room (though that’s great if you do!). You really just a spot with good lighting, basic supplies and limited distractions.
A corner of the kitchen table, a lap desk on the couch or a shelf in their bedroom can work. Having a consistent place to do homework helps kids mentally shift into “focus mode.”
It also cuts down on the nightly scavenger hunt for pencils and glue sticks. During our time with e-learning, we used shoe boxes wrapped in wrapping paper to hold supplies. We’ve also just had a school box in a kitchen drawer that has pencils, glue sticks, scissors and such.
14. Start a family verse or motto for the year
Choose a Bible verse or short phrase to be your family’s anchor for the school year. Post it somewhere visible like on the fridge, a chalkboard or the bathroom mirror.
Refer back to it when someone has a hard day or when you need a reminder of God’s faithfulness. It’s a simple way to keep your focus on what matters most.
Consider one of these:
- Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God… and it will be given to you.”
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another…”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Encourage one another and build each other up…”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
- Colossians 2:6-7 – “Continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up…”
- Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts.”
15. Schedule time for rest in the first month
Those first few weeks back can be a whirlwind of forms, events, new routines and emotional shifts. Plan for quiet evenings or even a low-key weekend at home to give everyone a chance to reset.
Kids need the margin, and honestly, so do we. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a movie night, a lazy Saturday breakfast or just skipping one more thing on the calendar is enough.
We try to keep activities on that first weekend especially low-key. Nobody is up for anything big.
16. Talk about friendship and kindness
Remind your kids that being kind, inclusive and respectful matters just as much as grades. Encourage them to notice classmates who are left out, be a friend to someone new and use their words to build others up.
These little conversations plant seeds that will shape how your child interacts with the world. As we model kindness to our children, we can see them do the same with those around them.
Also have conversations about friends in regards to identifying a good friend and knowing when to keep a classmate as more of an acquaintance than a friend.
These issues popped us for our kiddos by first grade and continue now into middle and high school.
17. Take time to grieve the season shift
It’s OK if you feel emotional when school starts. My kids are in middle and high school and I still have back-to-school blues each year.
So whether your baby is heading to kindergarten or your teen is driving off alone or anywhere in between, give yourself some grace for your own feelings.
The shift from summer to school can bring up unexpected feelings. Let yourself process them without guilt. Grief and gratitude can coexist — and both are normal.
18. Make a back-to-school playlist
Let each family member choose a song and create a playlist you can play during the first-day drive or breakfast. It’s a fun and easy tradition that adds a little joy to the morning.
You might find that “your song” becomes part of the rhythm of the year. Music has a way of grounding us and lifting our moods.
My family has a playlist on Spotify that we call “Car Music.” It’s had songs added and taken away through the years that include a variety of each of our favorites.
19. Do a family “summer wins” recap
Before diving headfirst into school mode, take a moment to reflect on what made summer sweet. Talk about your favorite memories, things you learned or moments you want to remember.
It’s a great way to close one season with gratitude before stepping into the next one. You could even write them down and tuck them into a jar for later.
This is also a great time to assess whether you’ve missed something you really wanted to do over the summer. Get it in before the first day if you can!
Another bonus to this is that it helps your kids remember the fun they really did have throughout the summer months.
20. Choose a consistent and simple after-school rhythm
The hours right after school can get chaotic fast: backpacks get dumped, emotions run high and snacks disappear like magic. Decide now what you want that time to look like.
Whether it’s 10 minutes of quiet time, a quick “How was your day?” check-in or a simple snack-and-homework routine, a little structure goes a long way. Your after-school rhythm doesn’t need to be rigid — just intentional.
We’ve found that one kiddo needs a bit of quiet in the car right after school to decompress from the day. The other likes to talk about their day a bit more. Do what works best for you and your kiddos.
Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to chaos. With a little bit of planning and a whole lot of grace, you can step into this new season with peace and purpose.
These tips aren’t about perfection. They’re about showing up for your family and trusting God to meet you there, even on the hard mornings.
You’re not alone in this. And I’m cheering you on every step of the way!
