Back-to-school season kicks off for us in early August. We pull out the required reading, tidy up the desks, and pick up the essentials from the stationery store. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: organizing my kids’ stuff isn’t quite the same as mine. It’s tricky to tell what’s missing, what’s broken, and what can still last another year. And I’d rather not talk about the backpacks with rotten apples inside. Once we get through the organizing, it’s time to write the shopping list — which the homeroom teacher usually changes five times, and then multiply those changes by four kids...
Even though I’m mostly organized, every year I feel completely wiped out by early September. To avoid that this year, I’ve decided to stick to a few key rules so neither I nor our budget get shocked by the school season.
1. Avoiding Overspending
Many parents tend to overspend in the first weeks and months, piling up unnecessary school supplies. We’ve given away tons of notebooks with special ruling that ended up unused... I realized that assessing real needs and preparing realistic supplies is way more important. Before heading out to shop, I make a thorough list of exactly what’s needed — saving both money and time (at least in theory... I’ll let you know how it goes).
Also, don’t forget that online shopping is a great alternative to avoid crowded stores and stressful moments. I’m finding better deals online more often, so this year I’m starting off by checking out online shops.
My Time Is My Most Valuable Asset
Managing time is another crucial part of back-to-school and, in my opinion, key to starting the year off right. In the last two weeks of August, I try to shift bedtime from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m., so by September it smoothly moves to 9 p.m.
I’m also introducing a simple daily routine: mandatory reading in the morning, chores before noon, and craft time in the afternoon for my daughters.
From mid-August, daily routines will include not just play and fun, but also household tasks, free time, and proper rest.
Tip: I’ve decided it’s unnecessary to cover notebooks and textbooks with protective covers. If your child’s packing style is "not very neat," you can buy ready-made covers where you just slip the books and notebooks in. For my tidier kids (my two daughters, of course), we skip covers and just label their books. This saves you a huge amount of hassle!
Learning as a Shared Experience
This year, the biggest change I want is in my kids’ attitude toward learning: the goal is for learning to become a shared experience, not just an individual burden. Doing homework together or having family study nights are great ways to strengthen the parent-child bond. It also helps kids feel less alone under the pressure.
It won’t be easy with my two older kids, but they’re willing to sit down together and work through tasks side by side, becoming study buddies who help each other when needed. With the little ones, it’s easier—they enjoy having me nearby and can ask questions anytime.
This shared time opens space for discussing questions, solving problems together, and lets kids share their daily experiences—helping keep family harmony intact.
Approaching Tasks with More Patience!
Busy family life means crowded schedules and tension, where patience is essential. I believe it’s especially important at the start of the school year to pay attention to our own and our family members’ mental peace. I need to learn how to handle stressful moments and recognize when a break is needed.
A big realization for me a few years ago was that when I manage to stay balanced and peaceful amid daily chaos, my kids feel calmer and are more willing to cooperate.
Practicing patience helps everyone keep their mental peace, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and experience back-to-school time together in a calm, harmonious way.
