8 Back To School Hacks for Moms to Stay Organized + Stress Less
Back-to-School season can feel like chaos. New routines, endless forms, hungry kids, and the pressure to “do it all.” But here’s the secret: structure isn’t the enemy . . . it’s the missing ingredient to your sanity.
When things run smoothly, you stress less, and that means more space to #cr8joi.
Here are 8 practical ways to create sanity (and joy!) this Back-to-School season:
1. Reimagine Your Driving Circle
Instead of running yourself ragged, make your “driving circle” work for you.
- Map out what’s within a 2-mile radius of school, work, and home.
- Plan errands and to-dos within that circle.
- Save your energy for when you really need it.
2. Schedule Weekly Appointments + MOMents
Your kids are signed up for everything BUTTTTTT what about you?
- Schedule hair, nails, workouts, or a solo coffee date.
- Use pen (not pencil!) so you don’t erase yourself from the list.
Call these your MOMents—your pockets of peace.
3. Keep Supplies on Deck
Scrambling equals stress. Stay stocked on:
- Laundry detergent, socks, water bottles, snacks
- School + home basics that always trip you up
No more late mornings because someone doesn’t have clean socks, underwear, or a healthy snack.
4. Simplify the Lunch Situation
Lunch doesn’t have to be the daily stressor.
- Ask kids what they’ll actually eat. We don’t have time to play what-in-the-world are you eating on the way out the door. Involve the children in the process- creating a healthy lunch list together or reviewing the hot lunch menu. Remove the mystery.
- Prep containers, ice packs, and lunch bags ahead of time. Try prepping for the week on the weekend. Or packing lunches right after school when the children unpack their lunchboxes or right after dinner.
- Create a lunch + snack station so lunch packing don’t feel like an obstacle course
5. Declutter the Water Bottles
Yeah. I said it. Let some of those bad boys go. Let it gooooooooooooooo! (in my Elsa singing voice)
* Toss the leaky, bent, or unloved bottles.
* Keep only the ones everyone actually uses. If it’s in the back, he’s out! Bye buddy!
* Release old sippy cups—your cabinets will thank you
6. Set Up a Command Center
Every bag, shoe, and school paper needs a home.
- Backpacks + work bags
- Shoes + socks
- Mail + school papers
If you don’t have one yet, make this your September project. The dread is always worse than the deed.
7. Create a School Binder
Paper overload is real! A binder keeps you sane:
- Calendars
- Passwords
- Important School Papers
- Extacurriculars
Keep everything in one place for quick reference
8. Make Playlists for Sanity
Music sets the mood.
- Family playlist for school runs
- Your playlist for after drop-off
- A morning blast-off playlist to keep everyone moving
- A homework playlist (classical + smooth jazz are great for brain work)
- A wind-down, chillax playlist
When in doubt? Turn it up and dance it out.
Structure Creates Space for Joy
Back-to-School doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. By setting up systems, you free up energy to enjoy the season and the people.
✨ Ready for more support?
Are you feeling overwhelmed this Back-to-School season? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
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