Going back to school brings structure, growth, and, to be honest, a little chaos. Between the morning rush and after school juggling act, it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Here are some helpful tips to make mornings smoother and afternoons less stressful for both kids and adults.

 

Mornings:

Prep the Night Before

Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and prep lunch/snacks ahead of time. Setting up a drop zone near the door with hooks, cubbies, or baskets for shoes, backpacks etc. will help keep everything together meaning easier, faster prep.

 

Ease Mental Load

Utilize a checklist or routine chart for consistency and use alarms or visual timers for each stage of the morning. This will help ease overwhelm especially in kids with ADHD.

 

Simplify Breakfast

Rotate a few easy options like overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, or toaster waffles. Make it even easier with a “grab-and-go” bin with items like granola bars or fruit bars for busy mornings. 

 

Afternoons:

Unpack First, Then Chill

Create a 5–10 minute routine to unpack backpacks, clean out lunchboxes, and review any notes or forms. Pair it with a quick healthy snack break, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.

 

Be Supportive and Patient

Understand that after school let down will happen. This is the emotional crash kids often experience when they get home after a long day of following rules, managing emotions, and staying focused. Try not to rush into questions and be patient…this phase usually passes once they’ve had time to decompress.

 

Keep Schedules Predictable

A simple after-school rhythm might look like: Unpack/Snack → Break → Homework → Dinner → Family Time → Wind down. Routines help reduce resistance and decision fatigue.

 

Hopefully, these tips can help you create mornings and afternoons that are less stressful and happier for the whole family.