Parents, here we are. It’s that time of year again where the early morning, packed lunches, and piles of homework rule the land. Not only are you expected to get your kids to and from school on time, drive them to all the extracurricular activities, AND still maintain your own work and social life in the process, but along with this frantic life change you must manage all the anxiety and worry that goes along with it! How on earth can we expect anyone to come out alive of all of this, much less be able to cope with it all?!

Here is the cold hard truth: this is going to be a bumpy ride. We are all human. Unfortunately, humans make mistakes, get exhausted, become irritable- it’s all just part of life. Let’s just take a moment here and acknowledge you are currently working one of (if not THE) hardest jobs on the planet. Just because you raised your voice a bit too much on the car ride today or forgot to pick up the kiddos for the third time this week does not mean you are a bad parent, it’s all just a symptom of being human. So, give yourself some grace, take a deep breath, and know you got this.

Now with all this being said, we still want the entire process to go as smoothly as possible. We still want to aim to maintain our composure and remember that the kiddos can’t drive themselves just yet. And on that note, I have here three tips for helping navigate the complexity of the back-to-school chaos:

1. Develop a solid routine.

This time of year is a big change. You’ve gotten into a system with work, the kids sleep in late, and now it is all turned on its head. The key to being able to manage the craziness is to establish some semblance of order, and it starts with having a basic routine. Furthermore, creating a healthy routine helps tremendously with promoting a sense of safety and lowering levels of anxiety. Feel lost on where to start? Begin with finding a bedtime that works for you and the kids, as well as a consistent time to wake up in the morning (remember to keep the eight hours of sleep in mind).

2. Do not underestimate your presence.

In this day and age, we are all problem solvers. We want to fix everything all at once and make sure nothing bad is happening every second of every day. While solving problems has its time and place, I feel like this item gets put to the wayside far too often: your presence. One of the most powerful gifts you can give to your children, especially during this time of year, is daily connection. So, tip number two is to do just that. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and give your child the opportunity to open up about their world. Ask if there is anything they are worried about, or something that they are excited about that day.  They may not have much to say or may not want to say anything at all. But never underestimate the value of simply being there.

3. Take care of yourself.

If you’ve ever been on a plane, you’ve likely heard the phrase: “Secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others”. But what does this mean? It means simply to take care of yourself so you can more fully and wholeheartedly show up for others. Parents, you need to secure your own oxygens masks. Your needs in all their forms (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) all are valuable and deserve to be met. Make sure to take time each day to look out for yourself in all these facets, even if it feels small. Go for a walk after you get home from work. Call up your best friend and talk about the stress of the day. Write about the positives in your gratitude journal. All of these may seem inconsequential, but they are also essential in allowing you to bring your best self to the day.

Obviously, the reality and complexity of life can’t be solved with three little tips on an internet blog. I can with almost 100% certainty say I am sure this year is going to be a roller coaster. But hopefully this gives you a place to start. A place to step out confidently into the school year with your family. A place to help navigate the joy, sadness, excitement, and all things in between as they come your way. Here’s the truth: its going to be a bumpy ride, but those kids are astronomically luckily they have you by their side.