Back to School Is Here—and So Is My Sanity (Kind Of)
So, listen… I don’t have kids. I know, I know—what am I even doing in this conversation, right? But let me explain. I have a front-row seat to the parenting circus thanks to my sister, who has two adorable little gremlins I love like my own. They’re wild, hilarious, snack-obsessed, and have absolutely no concept of indoor volume. It's been a ride.
Summer started cute. There were pool days, sidewalk chalk masterpieces, and a whole Pinterest board labeled “Fun Summer With the Kids” (LOL). But by mid-July? That board was as abandoned as my gym resolutions. The only “fun” activity left was surviving until bedtime without anyone crying (them or my sister).
The Spiral Was Real
One day, my sister looked me dead in the eyes and said, “If I hear ‘I’m bored’ one more time, I’m going to hide in the pantry and live there.” Before I even replied, she added, “I just want to drink my coffee while it’s still hot. That’s all.” And I felt that in my soul. Because even if you’re not a parent, chances are you’ve either lived this summer madness, babysat it, or survived it in some form (hello, summer camps and childcare waitlists).
And honestly? I get it. Summer with kids is a full-time job with no lunch breaks, no PTO, and the soundtrack is just endless screaming and Cocomelon remixes and between surprise snack demands, sticky iPad screens, and daily meltdowns over why wearing pants is apparently a personal attack—they have spiraled our entire summer.
Let’s break it down:
Screen time limits became “suggestions.”
Meals lost all structure. (Breakfast? Lunch? Just snacks until bedtime!)
Crafts turned into glitter-covered regrets.
And quiet time? Nonexistent. Unless you count hiding in the bathroom with your phone.
The summer spiral is real. It's that moment when routines vanish, bedtime is a loose concept, and you're honestly not sure what day it is anymore. The kids are thriving on chaos and popsicles, and you’re just trying not to lose your last nerve. Every day feels like some kind of strange survival challenge. You either have to find a creative activity by 10 AM or give in to Paw Patrol marathons and pray for peace.
Then comes the Light at the End of the Sticky, Glitter-Covered Tunnel: BACK. TO. SCHOOL.
Cue the hallelujah chorus.
Suddenly there’s hope. The Target and Walmart aisles are filled with folders, crayons, and overpriced pencil pouches. You start counting down the days until someone else—(Let’s take this moment to acknowledge the work the teachers do, if you are one, God bless you)—takes over snack duty and story time for at least a few hours.
Parents everywhere are doing silent victory dances while also—surprisingly—getting a little emotional. Because as wild as it was, summer gave you a front-row seat to your kids growing up. Those messy moments? They were kind of beautiful, too. Even if most of your memories are sweaty, loud, and sticky… they’re still your memories. You spent all summer counting down the minutes to freedom, but now that it's here, you're remembering how fast this season is flying. You’re replaying their belly laughs, their poolside stories, the random dance parties in the living room. And maybe—just maybe—you’re wishing for a few more of those messy, magical moments.
For the Mamas, Dads, and Aunties Holding It All
If you’re feeling relieved, exhausted, and weirdly emotional all at once—you’re not broken. You’re just a human who’s done the absolute most this summer. You’ve fed these tiny humans (17 times a day, minimum), kept them alive, entertained, protected, and loved. You did the pool days, the meltdowns, the “I’m bored” rants, the grocery runs, and the never-ending laundry. That’s superhero work, and you deserve to be celebrated.
And if you didn’t do all of that and just survived one snack run at Walmart without losing your religion—still a win. Still superhero status.
Also, may your coffee finally be hot, your car line short, and your house stay clean for longer than 15 minutes. We can dream.
Let This Be the Back-to-School Blessing
As the backpacks go on and the school buses roll out, may your coffee be hot, your house be quiet (for once), and your peace return—little by little. And may you know this:
Even if summer spiraled out of control, you didn’t.
You held the fort, even when it felt like it was on fire.
You showed up, loved big, and kept going. That’s enough.
May your mornings be calm, your kids remember their lunchboxes, and your heart be gentle with yourself. You didn’t spiral—you parented through a tornado. Now go sit down and breathe. You’ve earned it.
Affirmation:
I showed up this summer. I did my best. And now I release the guilt, the chaos, and the pressure. I am proud of the love I gave, and I welcome this new season with grace.
Written by: Maureen Mbugua