Back-to-School: The Beautiful Chaos of Letting Go

Back-to-school season brings up ALL the feelings, doesn't it? In this episode, I'm diving deep into the beautiful, messy reality of sending our kids back to school, the relief we don't always talk about, the missing them part that catches us off guard, and the complete chaos that comes with the school year schedule.

If you're feeling torn between counting down the days until school starts and already missing your kids before they even leave, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the real, unfiltered truth about morning madness, the financial reality of school expenses, practical tips that actually work, and why it's okay to feel ALL the emotions.

Whether you're a seasoned school parent or facing your first back-to-school season, you'll find encouragement, practical advice, and the reminder that you're doing an amazing job even when it doesn't feel like it.

What We Cover In This Episode

The Relief We Don't Always Talk About

• Why it's okay to look forward to those 6 hours of quiet
• The summer chaos that makes us crave routine (hello, laundry mountain!)
• Finding time for yourself and things that fill your cup

The Missing Them Part

• The worries that cycle through our minds all day
• How different kids handle school differently (my son loves it, my daughter...not so much)
• The real fears we carry that previous generations didn't have to face

School Year Chaos & Practical Solutions

• Morning routine survival tips that actually work
• The logistics of drop-off, pickup, and hangry kids
• How my husband and I divide responsibilities
• Real talk about the financial reality of school expenses

Advice for First-Time School Parents

• What to expect in those first few weeks
• Practical tips for staying in the loop
• Why joining PTA is worth it (even if you don't volunteer much)

The Heart of It All

• Why these small daily things add up to something big
• Remembering that you're building their foundation and memories

Key Takeaways

• It's normal to feel conflicted about back-to-school season
• The first few weeks are busy for EVERYONE.  You'll find your groove
• Hot lunch and sleeping in tomorrow's clothes are valid survival strategies
• Your kids will be okay, and so will you
• Those quiet moments of missing them? That's love, mama

Resources & Links

Daily Support for Moms:

• Daily Affirmations & Journaling Prompts for Moms - https://smallthingsbiglife.etsy.com
• Voice Affirmations for Moms - https://smallthingsbiglife.gumroad.com/

Connect With Me:

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/smallthingsbiglife/ - Follow for more parenting encouragement and real talk
• Instagram: @small.things.big.life
• Facebook: Small Things, Big Life

Mentioned in This Episode:

• ABC Mouse (educational app for kids)
• PTA involvement and why it's worth it
• Hot lunch as a morning sanity saver

Let's Connect!

I'd love to hear from you! Are you team "counting down to school" or team "already missing them before they leave"? Tag me on social media with your back-to-school reality.

If you're a first-time school parent feeling overwhelmed, reach out, I'm here for you and I promise it gets easier.

A Note from Me

I'm about 8 days out from recovering from some yucky germs while recording this, so I may not sound like my usual self, but this topic was too important not to share. Thank you for your patience and for being part of this beautiful, messy motherhood journey with me.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another parent who might need to hear they're not alone in feeling all these mixed emotions. Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes where we dive into all the real stuff that comes with raising kids.