Back to School Survival Tips: Parents Helping Parents Stay Sane
From managing new routines to staying sane, this collection of back-to-school survival tips from fellow parents will help you feel more prepared, less stressed, and ready for whatever the new school year brings.
Created by Nadine Stille
If you’ve ever asked yourself “How to survive back to school?” or felt the back-to-school juggle is a full-time job, you’re not alone. Sure, there’s relief in getting kids back into a routine after summer, but the prep and those first few weeks bring their own special chaos.
Every August, I see parents helping parents: sharing back to school survival tips on everything from lunch boxes that last the year to easing kids into new routines to juggling drop-offs and pick-ups with work hours. And if it’s your child’s first year, gradual entry can turn even the best-laid plans upside down.
Over the past few years, I’ve helped parents map out routines, schedules, and support systems that reduce stress, fit their real lives, protect mental health, and set their whole family up for a calmer and smoother day.
This year, I’m in the thick of it too: my oldest is starting school, my youngest is starting daycare, and we’re navigating gradual entry times two.
I’m putting many of the same strategies I’ve shared with clients into practice for my own family while feeling deeply grateful for our much-coveted daycare spot.
Back to School Survival Tips: Parents Helping Parents Stay Sane
Below, you’ll find back to school survival tips for parents straight from fellow parents, plus a few parenting hacks I’ve picked up along the way.
These tips cover everything from lunch-packing to boundary setting, sleep tweaks to joyful traditions, so you and your kids can stay sane and start the year feeling supported and prepared.
Thank you to every parent who took time out of their busy summer to share what works for them. You’ve helped make this guide possible.
Here are a couple of them.
Now, dive into your Back-to-School survival tips by tapping on each category.
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The smoother the daily schedule, the calmer the household. Think: Morning rush, bedtime, after school care, meal prep, and more to have the day be a little less frantic.
Angela Hollett, Mom of 2, Holistic Nutritionist at Bloom Natural Nutrition, Postpartum Specialist & Private Chef from Vancouver, BC, Canada:‘I make a quick menu choice checklist for the week so they <the kids> can choose from a list of pre-approved meals and snacks. I follow this formula for snacks: 1 fruit, 1 veg, something protein packed and 1 treat.
Letting them have some say means less food coming back at the end of the day and helps them get involved and excited!’
Nicole + April Hughes, sisters behind Sunhouse Babysitting Agency & Sunhouse Outdoor Academy, Parent of 1, based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘‘Sort out your after school care early!
It takes a huge weight off your shoulders once school starts, and you can actually focus on the transition instead of scrambling at the last minute. Total sanity saver. At Sunhouse Babysitting we offer after school babysitters, and Bridge Care for short-term coverage when plans change last minute!’
Jeanna from Indiana, USA:
‘Get the kids involved as soon as possible! Give them responsibilities like filling their own water bottles, helping with lunch and snacks, and picking out their own clothes. The sooner they start helping, the easier it is for them to get accustomed to it. Plus, kids absolutely love to help when they're younger! ‘
Rosalie K. (RN, BSc Psychology), Mom of 2, Founder of Plume Sleep:
‘Our daughter is starting kindergarten this year, so we’ll be following these same reminders ourselves!
Age & Stage Insight: Kindergarten is a Big Leap
Even if your little one has been in daycare, kindergarten can feel like a whole new world. It’s more structured, more stimulating, and emotionally demanding in ways that surprise you. I remember being shocked at how tired our son was after those first few weeks, despite his school day being shorter than daycare! Some nights, bedtime was as early as 6PM, and he'd sleep right until 6:30AM when we needed him up.
Tip: Don’t fight the early bedtime. The first few weeks are not the time to push for “just one more show” or squeeze in activities. Protect their sleep, and yours.
Reset the Sleep Schedule Before School Starts
If summer has meant late nights and slow mornings in your house, same. But that back-to-school switch to early wake-ups? It can be rough without a reset. We start adjusting about two weeks before school starts, waking our kids a bit earlier each day and gradually moving bedtime earlier too. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Tip: If your child needs to be up at 7AM, aim for bedtime no later than 8PM. Most school-aged kids need 10–12 hours of sleep to truly thrive. Kids who aren't getting enough sleep often struggle more with learning, mood regulation, and managing their day. (Let’s be real - we do too.)’
Cristina McAllister, Mom of 2 neurodivergent children, High School Teacher, and soon to be published author of ‘When My Bottle Gets Too Full- Understanding Our Really Big Feelings’ from Burnaby, Canada:
‘I involve the kids in the shopping list for snacks and lunches and always prepare lunches at night. That’s when I also lay out clothes on their bedroom chairs‘ to save time in the morning.
Ange, Mom of 2 boys aged 2 and 5, Teacher and Owner of Isle of Design by Ange from Victoria, B.C., Canada:
‘As a teacher and a mom, I know firsthand how difficult the transition from summer, back to school and be. In our house, mornings are always challenging, so my “mom hacks” are all around making mornings easier by fostering independence and creating easy to follow routines my kids can stick to.
If your kids have an age appropriate routine to follow (visual for younger children, lists, or calendars for older kids), I promise you will take back your mornings! You can spend less of your time nagging and answering the same question over and over. And the best part, you’ll quickly see independence grow and calm settle into your day.
Isle of Design makes gender neutral kids graphic apparel in neutral colors. Helping build a capsule wardrobe for my kids means THEY can choose their clothes, and dress themselves and not walk out the door looking like it’s wacky dress day at school.
Magnetic daily routine cards we arrange on the fridge helps the kids know what their day looks like. Having them look at the next card and just go brush their teeth without me having to remind them and sound like a broken record helps us to build routine and decrease anxiety. It also helps them know that today we have soccer, in 2 days it’s swimming lessons.
As a teacher, we use routines and visual schedules to help decrease anxiety surrounding transitions and regulate emotions throughout the day. The kids and I bile it together at the beginning of each week and take the time to have a little chat about upcoming events and activities. It’s been a game changer in our house!
We also use a visual timer so the kids know how long they have before it’s time to leave for school. I highly recommend using these timers to help lessen the surprise of “it’s time to go! Now! Put your shoes on!” and all the emotions that follow.
It’s taken time to build this routine, but my boys know, when it gets down to the 5 (5mins left) it’s time to go and get their shoes on.’
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Back-to-school can be a big emotional shift for both kids and parents. Think: Mindset tips for parents, easing kids’ worries, and support feelings all to build a little more calm into your days.
Shannon Warner, Mom of 2 and Founder of ‘Resonant Collective: A Podcast Agency for Female Entrepreneurs and Creatives’ from Michigan, USA:
‘As I fill up my planner with important school dates and the kids' extracurricular activities, I also make space for myself each week. Where is 1-2 hours I could take for myself to do something I enjoy (without the kids)?
Schedule it or it doesn't happen! We parents deserve to have activities and hobbies we enjoy, too. Happy and healthy parents = happier and healthier kids!’
Wiebke Bohm, Mom of 7 year old son (soon to be 2nd grader) and almost 5 year old daughter (soon to be kindergarteners), Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘If your child is starting at a new school, show them where the bathroom is ahead of time. Maybe even have them try it out before the first day. It can really help ease their anxiety.’
An additional tip I picked up:
We’re mindful of the After-School Slump also known as After-School Restraint Collapse. It’s a common phenomenon where kids experience a sudden shift in behavior after school. This can show up as tears, tantrums, or quiet withdrawal.
After a full day of following rules and navigating a high-focus, high-energy environment, our son needed time and space to decompress right after daycare. Once we understood what was happening and how to respond, it was a game changer. For us, that meant giving him space and time (instead of asking lots of questions about his day), offering quiet hugs, and having snacks ready to help refill his mental, emotional, and physical energy tank.
We’ll be carrying this forward into his school years, too.
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Think: Papers, backpacks, clothes, lunches… the back-to-school stuff pile can get real. These organization tips will keep it under control.
Sarah Adams, Mom of a 9 year old, Montessori Teacher and Professional Organizer from Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘Declutter and set up spaces you will use daily, such as the entrance and bedrooms. Ensure all items fit your child and are seasonally appropriate. This will help you and your child get ready every day with less frustration.’
Wiebke Bohm, Mom of 7 year old son (soon to be 2nd grader) and almost 5 year old daughter (soon to be kindergarteners), Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘Find a good lunch bag system, and get two of the same kind. I found it helpful for my child to have a lunch bag with a memorable pattern that felt like his own. Label everything that isn’t sewn or glued on! I’ve even started putting digital trackers in the most valuable items (like expensive jackets or gear). I know it feels a bit odd to use trackers, but I’d rather not have to replace a third lost jacket in one year…’
Isabelle Guay, Mom of 1 teenage daughter, Space Planning and Furniture Expert with 18 years of expertise in furniture consulting at Flow Smart Living, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada:‘Life with kids is messy. Your entryway doesn't have to be. For busy parents, an organized entrance means less stress. Here’s how to make it happen:
Think like a kid: Install hooks at their height. If they can reach it, they're more likely to use it.
Give everything a home: A storage bench or a few simple bins gives every pair of shoes, backpack, and hat a place to live that isn't the floor.
Create a Perch: A small bench makes the daily struggle of putting on shoes so much easier for everyone.
When my daughter was young and life was busy, we found that a calm entrance helped set the tone for a calm and happy home!” Read more in Isabelle’s blog.
The Playful Places Project, a Vancouver-based initiative run by three local moms and teachers who help cafés and restaurants become more family-friendly. Their best back to school tip?
‘Stay organized and label EVERYTHING!’
They’ve teamed up with Canadian company Colle Moi’ for all their labeling needs and invite you to do the same. Here’s more on why and how.
Texas Dad:
‘Use Apple Reminders with Family Sharing for a shared shopping list. Have another (shared) list with questions for the teacher (or doctor) and add a Location to the reminder so it pulls up automatically whenever you're there.
Usually "Hey Siri, remind me when I get to ____ to ask about after school classes / how to get my kid to eat vegetables..." Often we'll think of a question, but forget to ask it in the heat of the moment when talking with a busy teacher or doctor who's also trying to communicate important information to you.’
An additional tip I picked up:If you have multiple kids, share items such as snack boxes, and pass clothing down from older to younger siblings, label everything with just your family name (and, if you like, add your phone number or email).
That way, you only have to label things once and there’s a better chance those wandering items will find their way back to you.
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Whether it’s the very first day of kindergarten, a transition to high school, or special education, these survival tips meet your family right where you are.
Sarah Adams, Mom of a 9 year old, Montessori Teacher and Professional Organizer from Vancouver, B.C., Canada lists a couple of ways to prep your child for kindergarten. You might be surprised that they have nothing to do with academics. Read about it here.
Koryn Heisler, Mother of three teenagers, Owner of This World's Ours Centre, Vancouver, B.C., Vancouver:
‘I have two children on the autism spectrum, so transitioning back to school can bring up big emotions. We create a social story each year and include pictures of the school, teacher, support staff, classroom, etc and start reading it a few weeks before we go back to school.
This helps ease the anxiety and prepares them for what to expect the first week.‘
An additional tip I picked up:
For families with kids going to Kindergarten or a new school for the first time, practice the walk to school and visit it a couple of times before school starts. If you can spend some time at the school’s playground or school yard so they get to familiarize themselves with the surroundings, reducing anxiety or uncertainty.
We’ve done this a couple of times already this summer and it’s increased our kids’ enthusiasm for school even more.
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Think: Navigating school requests, boundaries with your kids’ commitments, to setting limits at home and work, these ideas will help you protect your time, energy, and sanity.
Amy Beeman, Mom of 3 (two teens, one pre-teen), Coach and Radio Host, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘Front-loading expectations and plans!
I stole this one from a friend and it's invaluable. Show the kids the 'fluid' agenda (fluid because there can always be hiccups in the plan!) for the day, first thing in the morning. Outline what is going to happen before and after school, so there are no surprises and they can be prepared for the day ahead. ‘
Lena, Mom of a 6 and 2.5 year old in Ireland:
‘Give the children a countdown: “Listen, in one week our holidays are over and we’re going back to school/daycare” and remind them every 2-3 days.
Talk through the routine, so they know what’s to come - “Remember, first you have circle time, then you have snack, then you go in the yard, then there’s lunch” etc. up until pick up time’
Brittney Ashley, Proud mom of two wild adventurers, aged 4 and 7 (keeping life lively and full of laughs!), Certified Business & Imposter Syndrome Coach, Money & Trauma Practitioner, Owner & Lead Strategist of Creative Dynamics Virtual Services - an award-winning, Métis and women-owned Canadian company based in Victoria, Canada:
‘Tip: Setting clear expectations is a game-changer, whether it’s with school, teachers, extended family, your work or business, or your child’s activities. I’m upfront about my work hours - usually 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - and schedule breaks to pick up the kids. Sometimes I even work between activities.
Why it works: Being transparent like this reduces stress and misunderstandings, helping me protect family time without guilt. Clear boundaries make balancing work and parenting way easier.’
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Think: Gradual entry, parent’s work and other commitments, school events, extracurriculars. They all can quickly fill the calendar. Here’s how to keep the pace manageable.
Brittney Ashley, Proud mom of two wild adventurers, aged 4 and 7 (keeping life lively and full of laughs!), Certified Business & Imposter Syndrome Coach, Money & Trauma Practitioner, Owner & Lead Strategist of Creative Dynamics Virtual Services - an award-winning, Métis and women-owned Canadian company based in Victoria, Canada:
“Tip: We set aside one night each week for a family calendar session to map out school, activities, and work commitments together.
Why it works: It helps avoid last-minute surprises, lowers stress, and gives everyone a clear idea of what the week ahead looks like. (Because let’s be honest, with little kids, spontaneity usually means chaos!)”
Together with my tip around boundaries, these two sanity saving tips go hand-in-hand: planning the week together gives everyone a shared roadmap, while clear boundaries and expectations keep that plan realistic and respectful of everyone’s time and needs. Together, they create a smoother, more balanced family rhythm.
(And yes, “smooth” is relative when you have little kids, but hey, we take what wins we can get!)
Remember: Give yourself grace, some weeks will be smoother than others, and that’s totally okay.”
Heather Erickson, Canadian Mum of 3, and small business owner of Sleep and Beyond Consulting SK‘To get back to an earlier bedtime after late summer nights: start ahead of time by a week or 2.
Each night simply make bedtime 15 minutes earlier than the night before. No need to focus on the actual clock time with your child. You can simply let them know “it’s bedtime” and do the usual routine ahead of putting them to bed.
Doing so gives our kiddos bodies and brains a chance to get back into a regular circadian rhythm without a drastic change nor big protests.
It works to get back into the swing of things for school with an early schedule to get quality sleep. They need mood and emotional regulation, memory retention, and their ability to concentrate.
Besides seeing your child benefit at school both socially and academically YOU can benefit by getting 15 more minutes each night to yourself to do something good for you. I find this increases my capacity to connect with my children after their first day of school and beyond!
Happy Back to School! I’d love to hear from you on how it goes. ‘
An additional tip I picked up:
For the first 1-2 weeks back to school, review your schedule and commitments, see what can potentially be moved, then keep extra flex time blocked for you where possible so you have room for dealing with big emotions, last minute challenges, or accommodating gradual entry.
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Think: Fun rituals, after-school hugs and chats, first-day-of-school traditions, celebrating small wins. These ideas will help you weave in new traditions and moments that make this time truly memorable.
Jenn Wint, Mom to two, aged 6 and 8, Entrepreneur and Small Biz PR Coach at WINT Communications, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada:
‘A tip for more connection that is also part of our morning routine: ‘Walk to School (or Park Further Away)!
One of my favourite ways to start the day is by walking my kids to school. Even if we can’t do the whole route, parking a few blocks away gives us a chance to slow down, move our bodies and connect before the busy day begins.
With no distractions, we notice the neighbourhood cats, changing trees, cool cars and squirrels chasing one another. We talk about what’s coming up, share random thoughts, or just walk quietly. Sometimes a small hand finds its way into mine and between the morning chaos and the day ahead, there are a few peaceful moments and some fresh air that a car ride just doesn’t offer. ‘
Dr. Christiane Schroeter, Mom of two, Business & Wellness Coach, Professor, and Creator of Petite Practice™ , in San Luis Obispo, California, USA:
‘Our favorite rhythm during the school year is what we call "Dinner Downloads." Every evening, we ask, “What was your favorite part of the day?” It’s simple, but it sparks connection, reflection, and presence - especially during busy seasons.
Sometimes it leads to laughter, sometimes to unexpected shares. And on the nights when everyone’s tired or quiet? Just asking says: I see you, I’m here for you.
As a mom, it helps me slow down and tune into what really matters, beyond the checklists and lunchboxes.’
Caroline, Mom of 10 year old daughter from North Vancouver, Canada:
‘Our bedtime ritual is to read a book together before bed and before she falls asleep I ask if there was something that made her happy, sad, mad, or laugh.
I pause after each question and let her answer. I find it allows her to reflect on the positive moments of her day and also to give her space to let her know it’s okay to feel mad or sad.
I’ve learned about some of her experiences at school from asking this, and it has been helpful to know what she’s dealing with. I try my best to make sure there’s no judgement on the emotions. Whatever she feels is okay. ‘
Wiebke Bohm, Mom of 7 year old son (soon to be 2nd grader) and almost 5 year old daughter (soon to be kindergarteners), Vancouver, B.C., Canada:‘In Germany, it’s tradition to give each child starting school a “Schultüte” - a large decorated cone filled with treats and school supplies. I actually sewed one when my son started school here in Canada. He was the only one with one, but he absolutely loved his mermaid-themed Schultüte filled with crayons, erasers, and all kinds of school goodies.’
Jeanna, from Indiana, USA:
‘We have a delightful tradition of creating a sidewalk chalk message or picture the night before school starts. In the morning, we take pictures with our kiddo next to the artwork.
It's a wonderful way to kick off the school year - unless, of course, it rains hard on the first day!’
Shannon Warner, Mom of 2 and Founder of ‘Resonant Collective: A Podcast Agency for Female Entrepreneurs and Creatives’ from Michigan, USA:‘First Day of School Tradition: We always like to do something fun (like going to the beach nearby if the weather allows) for the kids to look forward to after their first day. It gives us a chance to decompress after a big day and to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. ‘
Questions to make the back to school stress feel lighter
To take the stress factor down a notch for your back-to-school planning, here are some questions to reflect on:
What are the non-negotiables to have organized for back to school and what’s a good to have or bonus to have in place?
Where do you need help and who or what can help?
What can you let go of?
What are you giving yourself permission to do or feel?
What boundaries or expectations do you need to set?
How can this be easier and fun?
If some of your answers evolve around not having too full of a schedule and figuring out how to set and keep that boundary,
read on. I can help you right now.
Copy & Paste: Back to School Boundary Texts for Parents
From experience, I know that even with all the amazing back to school survival tips from parents and with the best planning, it still can be easy to overcommit without meaning to or come up against last minute requests or additional challenges.
Then sometimes the kindest thing we can do - for ourselves and everyone around us - is to hold a boundary and say ‘no’. We’ll give ourselves the space we need to stay sane.
If you’ve ever stared at your phone wondering how to say “I can’t right now” without feeling rude, here are a few warm, polite, best-friend-vibe texts you can copy and send as-is.
No overthinking, no mental load.
1. Declining a last-minute invite
"Hey [Name], I’d love to see you but we’re in the middle of full back-to-school chaos and I just don’t have the capacity right now.
Can we check in next week once the dust settles a bit?"
2. Managing expectations for a group chat or project
“Hey all, I’ll be quieter in the group chat this week. We’re in peak back-to-school mode.”
3. Gently declining a playdate request
"Hi [Name], thanks for inviting us! This week’s a little bananas with back-to-school, so I’m going to say no for now.
Let’s find a weekend in a couple of weeks when things have settled and we can actually relax together."
These three text messages are just a taste.
I’ve put all Copy & Paste Boundary Text Messages together for you.
Inside this free PDF, you’ll get ready-to-send text templates you can copy, paste, and send - so you can set boundaries kindly and confidently with teachers, parents, work, and even family.
💬 No overthinking.
💬 No awkward wording.
💬 No extra mental load.
Just clear, warm messages that protect your time and energy, especially during back-to-school chaos.
Grab your free Text Message Templates now
… and start saying no with confidence (and kindness) to stay sane, and protect you and your family’s mental wellbeing .
Got your PDF? Great!
Now, come and join the conversation below.
Which back to school survival tip will you be trying out? Or do you have a parent hack we should know about that’s not yet listed?