Preventing Back to School Stress

11 Simple Steps for Busy Moms

By Jodie Lynn

As I was working inside the house the other day, I heard an unusual sound, though strangely it was somewhat familiar. I quickly stretched my legs, barely getting a glimpse of something turning around in the neighborhood. It was large and very bright. Oh, a school bus.

Can you believe it is time for the school buses to make their trial runs? This is the first real sign of forthcoming peace (other than the recent school supply list). While some, probably very few, parents will be sad to see their kiddos return to school, you can bet your sweet bippy that I am not one of them.

I hadn't smiled so big at the sight of the bus since, well, I don't know when. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but by the end of the summer, I've just about had enough. Anyway, the bus signifies a ritual and means peace and quiet for me.

I mean, when the kids go back to school, I have peace and quiet for a few hours in the morning. I'm not ashamed of saying it. Besides, they are bored to tears and I am tired of trying to think of things for them to do.

Some parents will wait to the last minute to get everything in order, but it need not be that way. Here are a few tips to squash back-to-school stress before it gets the best of you:

1. Get organized by visiting the school and meeting the teachers. Most of the preschools and elementary schools offer this as well as some middle schools. It's great because you ge

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