Back-to-School Stress for Moms: Managing Your Mental Load
As summer winds down and the school year approaches, many moms feel a familiar knot in their stomach: back-to-school stress. While the start of a new academic year can bring excitement, it often also piles on logistical challenges, emotional overwhelm, and a heavy dose of mental load — the invisible labor of managing a household and family life.
If you're finding yourself juggling school supply lists, calendar coordination, meal prep, and emotional support for your kids (while maybe also working or managing other responsibilities), you're not alone. Let’s talk about why this season feels so heavy—and what you can do to support your mental health through it.
The mental load refers to the ongoing, often invisible cognitive effort involved in managing a home and family life—planning, remembering, scheduling, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. For many moms, especially those who serve as the primary caregiver, this load spikes during transitions like the back-to-school season.
You’re not just buying markers and backpacks. You’re:
Coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups
Planning lunches
Remembering which kid has gym on which day
Managing your child’s emotional transition back to school
Organizing after-school activities
Preparing yourself to shift from summer routines to stricter schedules
No wonder it’s overwhelming.
Even if you love your kids' school or feel confident in your parenting, stress can still creep in. Some signs to look out for:
Feeling irritable or short-tempered
Trouble sleeping or waking up with racing thoughts
Forgetfulness or brain fog
Feeling emotionally exhausted before the day starts
Guilt or self-judgment for not "doing enough"
If you’re nodding along, know this: You’re not failing. You’re carrying too much.
How can I lighten the load? Glad you asked…
Make the invisible, visible - Write it all down—everything that’s on your mind. Use a brain dump, a shared calendar, or a checklist app. This not only helps you stay organized but also gives others a chance to step in and help.
Delegate without guilt - Tap into your support people (partner, family member, etc.) & be clear about what you need help with. Delegating isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wise energy management.
Simplify where you can - Keep some store-bought snacks on hand, don’t pressure yourself for all of it to be homemade. Skip the picture-perfect lunch box. Reuse last year’s supplies when possible. Good enough really is good enough.
Build transitions into your day - Back-to-school season is full of abrupt transitions. Try adding mini-moments between tasks (like 3 minutes of deep breathing before work or a walk after drop-off) to help your nervous system reset.
Check in with yourself - Ask: How am I doing—really? Even just five minutes a day of journaling or quiet reflection can help you stay connected to your own needs and feelings.
Your kids aren't the only ones experiencing a big transition. You are, too. And just like you support them, you deserve support as well.
Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back-to-burnout. By acknowledging the mental load, letting go of perfection, and making room for your own emotional care, you can create a more grounded start to the school year—for your kids and for you.
Need support this season? I offer therapy for moms navigating stress, transitions, and burnout. Reach out today!