Back to School Survival Guide: Tips from a Teacher Who Gets It

Hey, all you cool cats and curious kiddos-at-heart! if you’ve been around a while, you know that back-to-school season is one of the biggest (and busiest) times of the year in my house.

In my house, September feels like New Year’s. It’s a mix of excitement, chaos, fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the faint smell of highlighters (tell me I’m not the only one who loves that). As a teacher, this season means shifting gears from summer-mode to classroom-ready. And while I adore a good stationery haul, back to school is about so much more than just cute supplies.

This year feels bigger somehow. New routines, new schedules, new challenges—and with all that, the same old need to keep our sanity intact. So, whether you’re a parent packing lunches, a fellow teacher setting up bulletin boards, or a student trying to figure out how to fit your entire personality into your first-day outfit—here are a few survival skills I swear by for back to school.

Survival Skill #1: Keep It Together (As Best You Can)

Look, no one has it all together—not even that one PTA parent who color-codes their spreadsheets and still shows up with freshly baked cookies. Some days you’ll feel on top of things, and others… well, let’s just say thank goodness for coffee.

The trick is to build small systems that help you (and your kids) feel grounded. For me, that means setting up little routines that cut down on the morning chaos—like packing snacks and supplies the night before. Bite Bags are lifesavers here: reusable, easy to clean, and just the right size for snacks, supplies, or all the tiny random items kids manage to collect. When things have a place, mornings feel smoother—and I feel less like a frazzled extra in a sitcom.

Survival Skill #1: Make Good Choices

This was my mom’s life mantra. Honestly, she could have stitched it on a pillow (or better yet, tattooed it somewhere ironic). And while the choices we face today might feel more complicated—sports or art club? extra-curriculars or more downtime?—the core advice still stands.

The truth is, there’s no “perfect” choice in parenting, teaching, or life. What matters is that you’re weighing what’s right for your family and making the best call you can with the information you have. Whether that’s enrolling your kid in every activity under the sun or saying, “Nope, we’re protecting our weeknights this year,” you’re still making good choices. Give yourself credit.

Survival Skill #3: Expect the Unexpected

Back to school comes with surprises—forgotten permission slips, sudden schedule changes, or the classic “I need a poster board… tonight.” Planning for curveballs is the best way to save your sanity.

That could mean sending your little one with a Dry & Wetbag holding a change of clothes, or helping your teen put together a low-key “emergency kit.” The Combo Bags are perfect for stashing period supplies like pads, tampons, or essentials like deodorant or lip balm. Older kids feel more confident knowing they’ve got what they need, and you feel better knowing they’re prepared for anything.

Survival Skill #4: Build in Breathing Room

September hits fast, and it’s easy to let the schedule fill up until there’s barely a moment left to breathe. But downtime is just as important as homework and sports practices. Whether it’s a walk after dinner, family game night, or a few quiet minutes before bed, protect those little pauses. They’re what keep everyone sane.

I like to remind my students (and myself) that we don’t have to do everything. Sometimes the best learning happens in the quiet, unplanned moments.

Survival Skill #5: Laugh About It

Because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry—and honestly, sometimes both happen at the same time. Kids are resilient, hilarious, and unpredictable, which means back to school will never go exactly as planned. That’s part of the magic (and the chaos).

Wrapping It Up

Back to school is here, and no matter how you’re approaching it, know this: you’re doing better than you think. Teachers, parents, and caregivers are all in this together, and our kids are stronger and more adaptable than we give them credit for.

Here’s to a school year filled with learning, laughter, and maybe even a little bit of sanity.

So—what about you? How are you feeling about this back to school season? Got any survival skills of your own? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear your strategies (and probably steal a few for myself).