📚 Back to School, Not Back to Losing My Mind

Chile… it’s here. The moment we’ve been preparing for all summer. Tomorrow morning, the buses roll, the alarm clocks scream, and the school drop-off lines turn into something that could make a saint cuss. Back-to-school season is a special kind of organized chaos, and if you’re not careful, it’ll have you pulling up to work with one shoe untied, coffee stains on your blouse, and a mystery sticky substance on your arm.

But listen; we are not letting the stress of the school year snatch our joy, our patience, or our peace. Let’s talk about how to glide through this season like the boss mama you are.

1. The Night Before Is Your New Best Friend

Stop trying to do everything in the morning, it’s a complete setup. Clothes laid out? Check. Backpacks zipped? Check. Lunches prepped? Check. If your child is old enough to scroll TikTok, they are old enough to pack their own snacks. Set that precedent now. We’re not raising last-minute Larrys.

2. The Morning Playlist

Silence in the morning is dangerous; it gives kids time to slow down. Turn on that “let’s move” playlist. I’m talking Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go” level energy or whatever gets everybody’s blood pumping. A good beat can turn a sluggish morning into a synchronized hustle.

3. The Drop-Off Drive-Through Mindset

Sis, accept the drop-off line for what it is: a slow-moving parade of parents praying they don’t run out of gas or patience. Use that time to sip your coffee, pray, or listen to a podcast that feeds your spirit. You can’t change it.. you can only survive it.

4. After-School Triage

When they come home, they are going to be hungry, dramatic, and full of random stories. Feed them first. A child with a sandwich in their hand is 60% less likely to argue with you about homework. Speaking of homework; set a specific “work time” and stick to it.

5. Protect Your Peace

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Between the school forms, the sports sign-ups, and the “Mom, I forgot I need a poster board by tomorrow” foolishness … you need a breather. Schedule your own quiet time (even if it’s in the car in your driveway before you walk in the house).

6. Remember the Goal

At the end of the day, it’s not about perfect mornings or Instagram-worthy lunchboxes. It’s about raising kind, smart, resilient kids and keeping your sanity in the process. Give yourself grace. You’re doing better than you think.

Final Word:The school year is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, laugh often, and don’t be afraid to let cereal count as dinner sometimes. Back-to-school stress may be inevitable, but losing your mind? Absolutely optional.