9 Reasons I’m Not Quite Ready for Back to School

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As I scroll through my feeds, I see moms joyfully preparing for back-to-school season, and I can’t help but think: Am I the only one dreading it? Sure, I get the perks of having a few uninterrupted hours to work as a work-from-home mom—fewer toys to trip over, a quieter environment, and a chance to focus on my tasks. But there’s a lot more to consider…

1. Mornings are my nemesis.

I’ve finally adjusted to my late-night work schedule, staying up until 1 a.m. and waking up at 9 a.m. The kids, bless them, have learned to manage breakfast on their own while I enjoy a few extra moments of sleep. Now, I’m faced with the daunting task of getting out of bed at the crack of dawn—goodbye, beloved night-owl routine. Ugh, this is gonna be rough.

2. Getting my son ready feels like herding cats.

After prying my sleepyhead son from his bed with the strength of a thousand suns, he slumps over his breakfast, looking like a zombie. I have to practically shovel oatmeal into his mouth to avoid a mid-morning meltdown. And don’t even get me started on the battle of getting dressed—seriously, why is it so complicated? Meanwhile, my daughter, who has already dressed and brushed her teeth, stands by with an air of superiority eye roll.

3. Lunch prep before coffee? No, thank you.

Sure, I could make lunches the night before, but let’s be real—I lack that kind of organization. And the school cafeteria? That’s a whole different essay. So, I’ll be whipping up lunches before I’ve had my caffeine fix. Yay me.

4. Back to school means I have to pay attention to grooming.

Over the summer, we could get away with messy hair and a bit of dirt here and there. But during the school year, I feel the pressure to keep up with appearances—teachers and other parents are watching! The anxiety is real.

5. Closed-toed shoes make a comeback.

After a summer of carefree flip-flops, putting on “real” shoes feels like torture. My kids will complain about pinching, rubbing, and every possible discomfort, plus the classic, “My shoes are on the wrong feet!”—even when they’re not.

6. Schedules go from relaxed to hectic.

Just thinking about adding all the meetings, activities, and appointments into my calendar is exhausting. Summer is blissful spontaneity, while the school year becomes a whirlwind of planned chaos. I might need a stress ball.

7. Homework? Seriously?

Six hours of school wasn’t enough? Now I have to supervise homework while juggling dinner and laundry? I thought I left homework behind after college. This is a new kind of torture.

8. Earlier bedtimes are a must.

No more late-night snuggles and back rubs as a ploy to keep the kids awake. They need a solid amount of sleep, and it’s now my job to enforce it. Goodbye, leisurely evenings.

9. Fundraising madness.

Here you go, school—here’s a chunk of my money. Now please, just let me be!

And let’s be honest: I will miss my kids while they’re off at school. There, I said it! Even with all the chaos, I genuinely enjoy having them around during the summer. It’s not just about sleeping in; it’s the little moments that matter.

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In summary, back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and dread for many parents. While the thought of quiet work hours is appealing, the morning chaos, homework, and strict schedules can feel overwhelming. Ultimately, the summer days spent with our kids are precious, and it’s okay to feel conflicted about the return to school.