Back to School or Back to Stress?

It’s that magical time of year again. The smell of new pencils, the panic of lost schedules, and the quiet sobs coming from parents in the Target parking lot.

I remember standing in the school supply aisle, clinging to The List like it was the last life raft on the Titanic. Yellow folder with three prongs. Not two. Not four. Three. And let’s not forget my favorite—the nostalgic relic from the school supplies hall of fame—the beloved Trapper Keeper.

But beyond the folders and fancy calculators, back-to-school can stir up a lot of emotions—for kids and adults. I know because I’ve been both.

I remember being that kid—sweaty palms, stomach in knots, already worried about who I’d sit with at lunch. And years later, I was the parent—plastering on a smile and whispering a silent prayer that my kids wouldn’t pick up on my anxiety.

So here are a few reminders—for you, your kids, and anyone else silently spiraling in back-to-school chaos:

1. Talk about emotions.

I know, I know—it sounds like something you’d hear in a yoga class. But seriously, naming what we’re feeling keeps it from hijacking our whole day.

Say things like, “It’s totally normal to feel nervous. I used to feel that way too.”

Because pretending everything’s fine isn’t only exhausting for your brain, it intensifies the emotion.

2. Breathe. (No, really.)

I wish someone had taught me this as a kid. Big, deep belly breaths help reset your nervous system. Before every class (or meeting), take 3 deep breaths.

Inhale. Hold. Exhale sloooowly.

It’s free, it works, and it’s way more effective than yelling “I’M FINE” into a backpack.

3. Your grades don’t define your worth (neither does your title).

I spent so much time trying to get straight A’s, I forgot to actually learn anything.

Effort matters. Curiosity matters. Sleep and snacks matter.

Let’s build confidence by cheering for the trying—not just the outcome.

4. Don’t interrogate. Get Curious.

Asking “How was school?” usually gets you… “Fine.” Instead, use specific or creative questions.

“What made you laugh today?”

“Was there a moment today you felt proud of yourself?”

“If today had a soundtrack, what song would be playing?”

5. Simplify your schedule

If you’re overscheduled and overwhelmed, your kids will be too. You don’t need to be in five clubs, three sports, and fluent in Mandarin by October. Rest is not lazy—it’s necessary. Your kids are watching how you handle stress, failure, and pressure.

Back-to-school isn’t just about fresh starts. It’s also about messy middles and emotional landmines.

So give yourself (and everyone else) a little extra grace over the next few weeks.

You’re doing great—even if you’re crying in your car and eating left over chicken nuggets for breakfast.