Back to School Tips for Moms: 11 Must-Do Hacks for a Smooth Start
Plus My Freezer-Friendly Muffin Recipe for Busy Mornings
By Shauna J Rowland | Live the Seasoned Life
Summer break always seems to starts slow and fly by fast, doesn’t it?
One minute we’re headed to the beach, and the next we’re staring down school supply lists, trying to remember where we stashed last year’s lunch boxes and bookbags.
If the thought of actual bedtimes, early alarms and chaotic mornings makes your head spin, I’ve got you covered.
In this post, you’ll find 11 back to school tips for moms that’ll help you ease back into the school year stress-free (10 tips plus a bonus!). I’ll also share my freezer-friendly muffin recipe that saves the mornings around my house school year-round.
Whether you’re a seasoned school mom or sending your little one off to kindergarten for the first time, this post is packed with real-life hacks, time-saving ideas, and encouragement to help you start this new school year strong.
📚 Why Back to School Feels So Overwhelming
Let’s be honest: the mental load of motherhood hits hard in August. June brings the relief of summer, followed by the chaos of July, and once August begins, we’re all struggling to fit back into the structure of schedules, real clothes, and school deadlines.
- Are the kids registered for school? Do the kids need to register for school?
- Where’s that lunchbox…and who forgot to dump it out on the last day of school? (yuck!)
- Why are all your pants too short?
- When was the last time you had a haircut?
- Are we up to date on vaccinations? Do the kids need physicals for sports?
- Where’s your bookbag?
- Do we take PSATs this year? Is it time to tour colleges yet? How do we even set that up?
- Was there a summer reading list? Why didn’t it get done?
- Who is the teacher this year?
From checking off supply lists and adjusting sleep schedules to planning meals and managing emotions—there’s a lot going on. What helps me is prepping early and simplifying where I can. That’s what these tips are all about: creating structure, reducing stress, and setting your family up for success.
✨ 11 Smart Back to School Tips Every Mom Should Know
These are not Pinterest-perfect suggestions created for someone who has entirely too much time on their hands. These are real-life tested hacks that work for busy moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, and everyone in between. Plus, I actually do these myself in my own home.
1. Declutter Your Drop Zone
Drop zone setup starts with identifying the space near your home’s entrance where your family typically drops backpacks, shoes, lunch bags, etc. Then you can start your back to school organization – get the kids to help with cleaning out last year’s bookbags, tossing old snack wrappers, broken pencils, and forgotten papers. Have the kids line up their shoes and load up their bookbags with whatever first day supplies they need. Trust me, an organized entryway = fewer morning meltdowns.
My favorite home entryway idea is to use a space-saving, standing shoe cabinet to organize shoes and keep you from tripping over them! If there’s no space in your entryway, these can also be placed in your kids’ room.
2. Wash Jackets While It’s Still Hot…Meaning Now
Find all those fall jackets and winter coats and give them a good wash. You don’t want to discover a mystery stain or musty smell when the temperature drops. This is one of those simple back to school prep steps that saves time later. If your area is like mine, cold snaps don’t come with a warning; get ready now for when it’s time to be ready later.
3. Purge Kids’ Closets
Have your kids go through their clothes with you and try on anything that you plan to use for the new year. Donate or gift what doesn’t fit, and make a list of what each child needs for fall. This helps you shop smarter, especially during end-of-season clearance sales or thrift store hauls.
4. Confirm School Registration
Many school districts require online registration every year—even for returning students. Double check your parent portal or contact your school’s front desk as many admin teams return to work by early August. Be ready to prepare school vaccination records and check your local post office or library if you need to have forms notarized (tip: call ahead and schedule an appointment!).
5. Sync the School Calendar with Yours
Download the updated school calendar and add all key dates to your planner or phone. Start with:
- First day of school
- Meet the teacher night
- Early dismissal days
- PTA meetings
- Picture day
- Special/school spirit days
Pro Tip: Share a digital calendar with your spouse/co-parent and babysitters to stay in sync, and keep a printed version available near the fridge for non-digital kids!
Download my FREE weekly planner to keep the whole family on track!
6. Check for Summer Assignments
Many schools assign reading or worksheets over the break, and they’re often due on week one. Check the school website or call to confirm. You don’t want to be scrambling to finish an assignment the night before the first day of school!
7. Schedule a Fun Shopping Day
Instead of dreading it, turn school supply shopping into a fun tradition. Download the school supply list and take it with the kids to the store so they can pick out their own supplies. If purchasing, let your kids pick their favorite lunchbox, folder, or water bottle. This simple activity gives the kids something to work toward, along with ownership and excitement heading into the year. Of course, you can also search for school clothes and shoes – since you’re out anyway. (If your school offers pre-purchasing the pack of school supplies, go for it if that’s easier for you. However, my kids get a kick out of us doing our own shopping.)
PRO TIP: Print one supply list per kid so they can check off items as you go. They’ll be so proud of themselves once the list is complete!
8. Stock Up for School Spirit Days
There are always clothing needs that always seem to pop up as the school year progresses. This year, let’s be ready…consider buying these few extra items that aren’t on the official school supply list:
You’ll always need a good school spirit day outfit idea. Items to consider buying/thrifting:
- Primary-colored t-shirts
- A team jersey
- Pajamas for PJ Day (nice ones suitable for wearing in public)
- A luau shirt
- Crazy socks or a silly hat
- T-shirt with the school’s logo/mascot
9. Reinstate Bedtime Routines Early
The bedtime routine for school-aged kids is critical for their educational success. That said, at least a week before school starts, bring back regular bedtime and wake-up times. This goes for both the kids AND for you. Gradually shift by 15–30 minutes a night if needed. Bonus: Also start prepping backpacks and clothes the night before so you can rehearse and streamline morning routines.
10. Prep for After-School Activities Now
My daughter is a competitive gymnast, and her practice schedule for summer is different than the school year schedule. That said, confirm whatever extracurricular or sports schedules apply to you and your family. Update your calendar, plan snacks and meals accordingly, and set up carpools if needed. Planning ahead = fewer weeknight breakdowns.
BONUS: Update your babysitter list. Your current babysitter may be off to college or otherwise unavailable this year. The moms who make it look easy always pre-plan sitters so help is always available.
11. Talk to Your Kids—One-on-One
This might be the most important tip of all. Sit down with each child and ask how they’re feeling about school. Excited? Nervous? Dreading it? Listen without jumping in to fix it right away. Give them space to talk and share their feelings, which builds trust and the confidence that they’ve got an ally in you. Then let them know you believe in them (and mean it). It may take a few attempts for your kid to truly open up, but the persistence on our part as parents is totally worth it.
“Behind every student who believes in themselves is a parent who believed in them first.” (Unknown)
Sometimes, that quiet moment of connection makes all the difference. It doesn’t have to be deep and philosophical. It just needs to be intentional.
My Back to School Secret Weapon
Do you know what makes a chaotic school morning easier? A warm, homemade muffin in under a minute. These are my Simply Muffins—a staple in our kitchen every fall. Recipe below.
They’re dairy-free, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable based on what you have on hand. Banana, apple, carrot, or even shredded zucchini all work beautifully. I mean, who doesn’t love a good muffin? Seriously…name someone.
(I didn’t think you could.)
💬 Final Thoughts: Back to School? You’ve Got This, Mama
Back-to-school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With some early prep and a stash of muffins in your freezer, you and your family can survive back to school mornings, together.
And remember—being present for your child and making sure they know you believe in them matters more than any perfect planner or organized drop zone.
So, whether you’re walking your kindergartner in for the first time or waving to your middle schooler from the carpool line, I’m cheering for you. And if you’re an empty nester…I can’t even imagine. God bless you.
Live seasoned, my friends.
Print Banana Muffins (Simply Muffins)
A crowd favorite and easy to throw together, these muffins are as yummy as they are versatile. Swap out the bananas for chopped apples, shredded zucchini, or whatever you have on hand. Store in tightly sealed container up to a week or (my fav!) store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheats in the microwave in under a minute for a quick breakfast on the go!
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12-14 muffins
Ingredients
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar*
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 eggs, or vegan alternative**
1 cup oil or applesauce (unsweet)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 8oz can crushed pineapple (DRAINED)
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (or other add-in***)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Oil a muffin tin & set aside.
- If using, prepare vegan egg alternative** & set aside.
- Open crushed pineapple & set aside to drain.
- Prepare add-in of choice & set aside.
- Sift together all dry ingredients into large mixing bowl: flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg.
- Stir the drained pineapple, eggs, oil/applesauce, & vanilla into the dry ingredients to build the muffin batter. Stir until just combined.
- Stir add-in of choice into the batter, until just combined.
- Portion the completed batter into muffin tins until ¾ full.
- Bake at 350F for 20-25 mins, or until inserted toothpick returns clean.
- Once cool, store in airtight bag up to 1 week. Can also store in freezer-safe bag/container in freezer for up to 1.5 months.
Notes
*Optional: use 1 cup white sugar & 1 cup brown sugar for increased depth of flavor
**Vegan option: replace egg with 1 tbsp ground flax seed+3 tbsp water. Mix & sit aside for 15 mins. before adding.
***Add ins can include shredded zucchini/carrot/apples/pears, mashed banana. etc., or none for a simple option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 min
- Category: Breakfast
