Back-to-School: Finding the Balance Between Summer Freedom and New Routines
Part of me longs for the carefree days of summer—no schedules, late nights, and endless possibilities. At the same time, I’m ready for routine. Fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the feeling of a new beginning always bring a sense of excitement.
This year, my girls are heading into 5th and 2nd grade. Like many moms, I’m juggling the back-to-school prep while also trying to keep life simple and fun.
The Shift From Summer to School
My girls were filled with excitement as they picked out backpacks, lunchboxes, new shoes, and school supplies. The night before school started, they had a hard time sleeping—a mixture of anxiousness and excitement. The next morning, as I snapped their first-day pictures, I saw them growing right in front of my eyes.
Still, I love the sense of order that school routines bring. After a few weeks of summer chaos—meals at odd hours and bedtimes all over the place—it feels good to know when we’ll eat, sleep, and focus again. Because of that, back-to-school always feels like a fresh start.
Lunch Planning Made Easier
One thing that helps is letting my girls take ownership of their lunches. Instead of me making every choice, I give them a list of options based on groceries we already have and foods they enjoy. Then, they choose the days and decide on the main part of their lunch.
It gives them a little control, and at the same time, it takes some of the decision-making off my plate. That’s a big win for me.
Connecting Over “This or That”
We also tried the This or That game at dinner one night, and it got silly fast. The conversation drifted, as it always does with kids, but that’s exactly the point. These little prompts spark connection and laughter.
In fact, some of the best memories come when things go a little off the rails.
Printables That Help With the Transition
To make things easier, here are a few printable I created:
✏️ Get to Know Me for the Teacher – Perfect for Meet the Teacher Night or as a quick desk drop-off. Teachers love a snapshot of their new students.
🌞 End of Summer Recap – A fun way to reflect on adventures and activities we enjoyed. It also sparks ideas for what we want to do next summer.
🥪 Lunch Planner – Helps kids take part in planning meals while also making life easier for moms.
👉 You can grab all of these and more in my Back-to-School Bundle.
Join the Conversation
Back-to-school brings mixed emotions—for kids and for moms. I’ll miss the relaxed rhythm of summer, but I’m grateful for the reset. A fresh routine helps us feel organized and grounded.
💬 I’d love to hear from you: Are you pumped for back to school, or dreading it?
Or share a favorite back-to-school memory in the comments!
Here’s to a school year filled with learning, laughter, and a few silly dinner conversations we’ll never forget. 💛