Back-to-school – Excitement and Apprehension
If you leave in the US and have a child starting school tomorrow, the
expression back to school takes on a whole new dimension. It can be excitement for the child—and hope mixed with apprehension and anxiety for the mother.
I admit I am a typical momma–boy mother. My son Thomas is starting 5th grade tomorrow and he is totally ready to bike to school by himself, but I still like to keep that special walk-to-school-together experience for as long as it takes.
Beyond being a typical mom, I’m also a leadership coach for working parents. I completed a qualitative study on families as teams and Parentship, and through my research I found that many parenting struggles are surprisingly universal—regardless of geography or school systems.
Common Modern Parenting Challenges
- Career Demands often peak just as young professionals become parents, especially for women entering leadership roles.
- High Expectations from educated parents can create stress—often more from internal pressure than external.
- Limited Time for self-care and relationships leads to burnout and strain within couples.
- Social Pressure still judges fathers by their ability to provide and mothers by their nurturing.
- Information Overload from schools, clubs, and professionals can overwhelm, especially when one parent carries the load.
- Modern Advice Overload creates confusion and inconsistency in parenting approaches.
- Changing Family Structures and rising divorce rates mean many parents must redefine what “family” looks like.
- Online Safety is a growing concern, especially for divorced parents trying to align digital boundaries.
- Single Parenthood is increasingly common, often without the support systems needed to balance career and parenting.
Realistic Ways to Reduce Stress
As someone who coaches working parents and teams through life’s complex transitions, I want to offer a few realistic ways to reduce stress—not just for your kids, but for you, too.
Try these small but powerful shifts:
- Don’t Treat Your Family Like an Operations Team Time management isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about doing what matters most, in a way that respects your energy and emotional bandwidth.
- Focus on Root Causes Productivity tools won’t fix misaligned priorities, overcommitment, or tech distractions. Address the behaviors behind the chaos.
- Accept That Things Will Change As your children grow, your expectations must evolve. Flexibility is key to long-term harmony.
🧠 Reflect as You Plan
Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean back to stress. A few proactive steps in collective time management can lead to calmer mornings, stronger relationships, and more meaningful moments.
Reflect on this:
- How can you share tasks among family members—including the kids—based on their strengths?
- How could a little structure actually create more freedom for your family?
Let’s make space for what really matters—not just for our kids, but for ourselves.
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