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Back-to-school season is always an emotional rollercoaster. At least for my family. Summer goes by way too fast and, before I know it, stores are filled with backpacks and water bottles. August means goodbye to long summer nights, and hello to suddenly asking every mom I know for their best back-to-school hacks.
For parents sending their kids to school for the first time this year, this feeling is even more complicated. It’s a combination of nerves, anxiety, and pride for first-timers. I remember when my now fourth-grader started kindergarten, I didn’t know where to start. Even now, the prospect of getting back to our routine after summer is both a relief and a source of anxiety. I can only imagine how nerve-wracking it is for parents prepping for multiple kids getting ready to go back to school.
If you’re wondering how you’re going to handle everything—drop-offs and pick-ups while managing work and the home, separation anxiety, organizing the kids’ schedules and buying all the necessities—you’re not alone. It all seems like way too much, and I often find myself saying, “How do people do this?” over and over again during this season.
The truth is this: no one has it completely figured out. Even the parents at drop-off who seem their most together are nervous about the first day of school and how to manage it all. The good news? Moms everywhere do this every day. And, along the way, we’ve all figured out small ways to make the back-to-school transition smoother.
With this in mind, we asked other parents to send in their best back-to-school tips for moms—and, wow, did they deliver. From hacks for organizing the kids’ calendars and getting to the bottom of all of those school emails to how to actually get your kid to eat their lunch, here are the best back-to-school hacks from real moms who have been through it.
Encourage independence while giving yourself peace of mind
When I think about what I wish I’d known during those early elementary years, it’s this: Supporting your child’s independence isn’t about letting go all at once—it’s about learning to trust them a little more each day. Start small. Let them ride their bike one block over. Let them text grandma from their smartwatch. Let them figure out what time they need to be home. These moments build their independence—and help you learn to trust it.
When my kids were just starting elementary school, I was constantly torn between wanting to give them freedom and needing to keep tabs on them for safety. Gone are the days of widely available payphones and landlines in every house—today, kids need their own way to stay in touch for check-ins, rides, and possible emergencies. For us, age-appropriate technology like the Gizmo Watch 3 brought me a level of reassurance I didn’t even realize I needed. We introduced these in second grade as birthday presents—both a fun milestone and a way to give them more independence in the neighborhood and during after-school activities. Now that my kids are approaching the pre-teen and first phone stage, we’ll be using the Plus version of the Verizon Family app to manage screen time, see which apps and websites they’re using (and for how long), pause internet access, and even filter content to help them make smart digital choices. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes parenting tool that allows me to let go a little while still having peace of mind. It’s not about constant check-ins—it’s about knowing you can check in when it matters.
Parents can check on their kids’ Gizmo Watch 3 activity from the GizmoHub App to provide peace of mind. Get a great deal on the Gizmo Watch 3 now until September 15!
Verizon Family app acts as a central hub for monitoring the device locations of family members on your Verizon Wireless account. With the Plus version, you can set up parental controls on your kids’ devices, like screen time limits, content filtering, and more.
Yes, you read that right, the whole year. For me, one of the biggest pain points of the school year is getting confused about all of the school holidays and days off. For the first couple of years my son was in elementary school, I was always surprised when a random (and unexpected, at least for me) day off came. I ended up frustrated, without childcare, and not taking advantage of the time off as a family.
Last year, our school district started publishing the school’s calendar two years in advance. So, last year, I already had this year’s calendar with all of these days off clearly defined. My biggest hack and tip for other moms is to spend an hour before the first day of school getting every single day off plugged into a shared family calendar. That way, my partner and I can easily plan in advance and it’s been really helpful to make sure we are making the most of the time off as a family with our work schedules, too.
Morning routine hacks for back-to-school season
School mornings are famously stressful. Being late is one of my biggest pet peeves, and somehow it seems to be my child’s favorite activity. To help us manage the stress of getting out the door on time, I’ve relied on a few hacks over the years. When we polled other moms, many had the same suggestions we now practice in my home. Some of these are second nature, and some take a little more practice. But I find when I’m prepping in advance, or giving my kid visual cues, our mornings go a little smoother.
For me, the biggest hack is prepping breakfast the night before. Every morning where past me thought to make overnight oats is immediately less stressful. I’ve also found that positive consequences work for my kid. Starting on the first week of school, we have a deal that if he can make it to school on time everyday, we go out for an early breakfast together on Friday. It’s usually just a stop at our local bakery for a pastry, but it gets us out the door super early and makes him feel so special.
Prep everything the night before
“We do as much as possible the night before: pack lunches, lay out clothes, set backpacks by the door. Mornings go smoother when you’re not scrambling.” —Heather R.
Create a visual checklist for kids
“We made a visual checklist for our 5-year-old. It has pictures for brushing teeth, getting dressed, and putting on shoes so he can follow along without me nagging.” —Jessica M.
Use timers to keep everyone on track
“We use a timer for each morning task—10 minutes to eat, five to get dressed, and so on. It turns the morning into a game instead of a fight.” —Lauren D.
Practice the morning routine
“Start your morning routine a week before school actually starts. Getting up early and getting back into the routine is the hardest! Starting to wake up early and go to bed early a week before will help tremendously when school actually starts!” —Jessica G.
Teach them to be self-sufficient
“Teach your kids to be self-sufficient and independent in the morning. As a single mom in a tiny apartment, we have to have a routine—or else! The more we teach our kids to take responsibility for themselves, the easier mornings (and life) will be. My son started waking up to his own alarm, getting himself ready for school, making breakfast, and packing his own lunch in fourth grade. Now, he is in seventh grade and makes his own morning tea, too! It makes life so much easier.” —Brittany
By the time my child started second grade, I honestly could no longer handle packing school lunches. My son wouldn’t eat what I packed and he ended up hungry—and I ended up annoyed. My biggest hack for school lunches is letting him eat what the school provides. We are lucky to live in a school district that provides free lunch for all children and he also ends up trying new foods when he’s eating at school. A total win-win in my book!
That being said, I worship at the altar of moms who are packing school lunches every day. It’s something that really stressed me out and there are many ways to make it easier if you choose to do it. Here are a few hacks from moms to make school lunches and after-school snack time easier.
Add extra hydration in their water bottles
“I genuinely don’t remember drinking more than a few sips from the water fountain every day while I was in school. But hydration is so important, especially in the Texas heat that lasts well into November. I started adding this Daily Hydration powder to their water bottles every morning, which is packed with electrolytes. It’s made with real fruit powders and Himalayan pink salt, so my kids love the taste and drink every drop by the time they get back home.” —Steph A.
Create a DIY snack station
“I stock a bin in the pantry and fridge with easy grab-and-go snacks. My kids help pack their own lunch—it’s a lifesaver.” —Amanda G.
Freeze sandwiches for the week
“I make and freeze PB&Js or turkey sandwiches for the week. Pull one out each morning, and it’s thawed by lunchtime.” —Monica B.
Let them choose their foods to prevent meal time battles
“Create menus with your child so that you’re not fighting over breakfast options and to ensure lunches get eaten!” —Shari K.
Make the same lunch every day
“I no longer try to get too creative with lunches for school. Early in the year, I was making something different every day for my 5-year-old. By the second half of the year, it was a Sunbutter sandwich every day, and she loved it! I try to give her a variety with sides and use a bento box like OmieBox so I don’t have to worry about baggies or containers.” —Kathy S.
Staying organized during the school year
When we start talking about back-to-school shopping, my mind immediately asks the question, “Where will we store all of these school supplies?” In my home, my general rule for staying organized is if a new product comes in, it needs a specific place to live or else every surface turns into a cluttered mess.
Keeping school items organized throughout the year can be very tough on moms. And clutter can make the most serene mom lose it (I speak from experience). I personally rely on a set of hooks behind my son’s closet door, shoe bins by the front door, and a dedicated spot for water bottles in our cabinets. Here are some more great tips from other moms for staying on top of that clutter so everything else in the household can run smoothly.
Set up an after-school drop zone by the door
“We have a basket and hooks for backpacks, lunch boxes, and shoes right by the door. It keeps the chaos contained.” —Elena P.
Color-code supplies for each kid
“With three kids, I color-code everything—folders, water bottles, even lunch boxes—to avoid mix-ups and arguments.” —Brittany S.
Keep extras in the car
“I stash extra hair ties, socks, and water bottles in the car. It’s saved us more times than I can count!” —Courtney L.
It’s no secret that back-to-school season comes with not only excitement, but many other big feelings. Moms and kids alike experience anxiety as we head back into a regular routine from the slow days of summer. Especially for little ones that are going to school for the first time, it can all be a lot.
We’ve all experienced the dreaded “I don’t want to go to school!” whine from our kids, even before the school year starts. The first tip for managing these big feelings I have is this: know that you’re not alone. If you’re feeling it, take a look at some of our best reader tips for managing the transition below.
Talk through the school day together
“At breakfast, we walk through what the day will look like—who’s picking them up, what after-school stuff is happening. It eases anxiety for all of us.” —Dana F.
Include a note in their lunch box
“I put silly jokes or a short note in their lunch box. It gives them a smile during the day and helps us stay connected.” —Emily W.
Involve kids in back-to-school shopping and planning
“I read stories about going to school, we go together to buy a new lunch box and new school-only shoes, and we prep fun breakfasts together. Making school seem fun, special, and new helps.” —Rachel G.
Have a special hidden message together
“I heard some wonderful advice I plan on using with my preschooler: draw a little heart on your hand, then one on your child’s hand. Tell them that every time they look at the heart, they will know their mama is thinking of them.” —Elizabeth
They’ll learn a lot at school… even things you aren’t ready for.
It’s the small things that make a BIG difference!
Plan a fun (and frivolous) first day outing for yourself after drop-off—you deserve it.
Take lots of pictures!
Final thoughts on back-to-school hacks for moms
Back-to-school season always feels like a big reset—for our kids and for us. But as these mom hacks show, a few smart routines and mindset shifts can make a big difference. Whether it’s prepping lunches the night before, setting up a morning checklist, or simply reminding yourself it’s OK to not have it all figured out, the best back-to-school advice is the kind that meets your family where you are.
Remember that just a little planning can go a long way. And your kids are sponges—if you’re calm, they’re calm. So here’s to smoother mornings, fewer lost water bottles, and knowing you’re not the only family that’s nervous about returning to school. It’s gonna be a great year, Everymoms!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roberta Correia, Editor in Chief
Roberta is an editor with 10+ years experience in content strategy and brand building. Before joining The Everymom she was Editorial Director at Brides and previously served as Digital Editor at Women’s Wear Daily. She grew up in Brazil and currently calls Brooklyn home with her son, Lucas.
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
