We asked parents to share what they really felt about the kids going back to school. Some are dreading it, others can’t wait, and plenty are wondering why the summer holidays are quite so long! Read on to discover what parents really think when it comes to the back-to-school switch.
School holidays can feel endless when you’re trying to keep kids of different ages entertained while still juggling work and everything else on your plate. See if you recognise yourself in any of these parent realities.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 20 Practical Back to School Tips & Stories from Parents
The Truth About Kids Going Back to School
#1. Bonding Time
“I’ve already had two weeks of so-called ‘bonding’ with my kids now that the summer holidays have started. In practice that means being at their beck and call to drop, pick up, feed, shop for and entertain them and their friends. I’m a taxi, a cash point, a cook, a cleaner and an entertainment officer all rolled into one! With five more weeks to go, I’m already looking forward to them going back to school!” – Fionnuala
#2. Routine
“I love having time with the kids, but I struggle without the routine that school brings. I’m self-employed, so I’m always trying to balance work and home life, and the school holidays are hard because there’s no natural stopping point to my day — I often end up working late into the evening instead.” – Michelle
#3. Childcare
“I work full-time and had childcare arranged for the summer. Three days before the kids broke up, the girl I’d booked texted to say she’d decided to go to Italy for the summer instead! I ended up bribing my eldest to look after my youngest for the first week until I could find alternative cover. The whole family is already looking forward to getting back to school.” – Maeve
#4. School Uniforms
“School uniforms are the best thing about going back to school. No arguments, no mountains of laundry, no hour spent deciding what to wear, no trying on five outfits and then going back to the first one anyway!” – Anna
#5. School Lunches
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Best-Lunchboxes-for-kids-lead.jpg
“The best part of having the kids off school is not having to make lunches every day. I’m already dreading going back to the same lunchbox routine day in, day out — and the worst part is half of it comes home uneaten anyway!” – Kate
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 of the Best Tips for Your School Morning Routine
#6. Sleep (Or Lack Of It!)
“Our sleep patterns get so out of sync over the holidays that it takes a good two weeks to get back into a proper routine once school starts. For years I tried to gently ease the kids back into a good bedtime in the final weeks of the holidays — now we just go cold turkey. Everyone’s cranky for a few days, but we get over it.” – Paula
#7. Juggling
“Juggling — that’s the word that springs to mind when someone mentions the kids going back to school. Life is a constant balancing act: school runs, breakfasts, packed lunches, dinners, after-school activities, homework, partner, job, housework, catching up with friends and family, and everything in between. Some days I wonder how the kids would feel about being home-schooled…” – Miriam
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 21 Top Tips for Making Back to School Night Super Easy
#8. Nits!
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/hair-lice.jpg
“I can pretty much guarantee that within a wet week of my kids being back at school, the messages will start about checking hair. Then it’s the whole brushing, combing, treating and repeating routine all over again!” – Gretta
#9. Family Time
“Summer for me is all about family time, so I’m not looking forward to the kids going back to school at all. I love the lack of routine — picnics on the beach, road trips, friends over, late nights and lazy mornings.” – Carol
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 5 Sleep Routine Tips to Get Ready for Back to School
#10. Coffee, Catch-Ups & Me Time
“I can’t wait for the kids to go back to school — there, I said it, and I know plenty of you are thinking it too! I work part-time, so I usually have mornings where I meet friends for coffee, go to a class, or just get a bit of time to myself. All of that stops over the holidays, when I never quite know what the day will bring.” – Karen
#11. Playdates & Parties
“As soon as the kids go back to school, the merry-go-round of party invites and playdates kicks off again. Don’t get me wrong, my kids love getting invited to things — just maybe not three parties on Saturday and two playdates on Sunday!” – Joanne
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Fun Back to School Colouring Pages to Delight the Kids
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Parents-Share-the-Real-Truth-About-Kids-Going-Back-to-School-Mykidstime.jpg
FAQs About Going Back to School
Is it normal to have mixed feelings about the kids going back to school?
Completely. Most parents feel a mix of relief and a little sadness once the school routine kicks back in — you might miss the freedom of the holidays while also welcoming the return of structure and some time to yourself.
How long does it usually take to settle back into a school routine?
Every family is different, but many parents find it takes a week or two for sleep, mornings and homework routines to feel normal again after a long break.
What can help make the back-to-school transition smoother?
Simple things help most: easing bedtimes back gradually where you can, prepping uniforms and bags the night before, and giving yourself (and the kids) a bit of grace during the first wobbly week.
Why do so many parents mention lunches and mornings as the hardest part?
Because they happen every single day! Repetitive daily tasks like packed lunches and school-run mornings tend to be where the back-to-school adjustment is felt most, even more than the bigger changes.
Related Articles
- 20 Practical Back to School Tips & Stories from Parents
- 10 of the Best Tips for Your School Morning Routine
- 21 Top Tips for Making Back to School Night Super Easy
- 5 Sleep Routine Tips to Get Ready for Back to School
- Fun Back to School Colouring Pages to Delight the Kids
Save This for Back-to-School Season
If any of these stories sounded familiar, save this article for the week before term starts — it’s the perfect reminder that whatever you’re feeling about back-to-school, you’re not alone in it.
Get More Back-to-School Ideas Every Week
Want more honest parenting stories, practical tips and family ideas delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for a weekly dose of useful back-to-school and family life ideas — no spam, just the good stuff.
—
