Just A Mom Trying

When the chaos is taking over and you’re flustered, every mom needs a few genius tricks up her sleeve. This post is all about working smarter, not harder. You’re going to find a mix of tips here — some are simple habits that are hard to remember in the midst of everything, and others are those “why didn’t I think of that?” hacks that can truly change your day. Think of this as your guide to a less chaotic school year, one simple tip at a time.

All of the tips on this list are things I have learned myself or have heard of from other moms over the years, and while I don’t use every single one, I’ve found that they’re all useful for different families. Some of these hacks are better for a busy household with a full schedule, while others are especially helpful for those with younger kids. The key is to find what works best for your unique family dynamic.

• School Paper Basket: Have a designated basket (hello Dollar Tree) for school papers that you are not able to go through right this minute
• Touch it Once Habit: For permission slips and other important forms, read, sign, and return to the school folder without putting it away for later
• Reverse Dinner/Snack Time: Dinner is served earlier and a snack is offered closer to regular dinner time
• Two-Week Dinner Menu: Plan out 1-2 week menus to help prevent decision fatigue
• Prepare Lunches the Night Before: Pack as much as possible the night before to make for quicker assembly in the morning. Don’t forget to prefill water bottles
• School Money Envelope: Keep a designated envelope with 1’s and 5’s for when school has random dress up days and such
• Get Your “Me” Time in: Get up early enough to take care of your needs before waking the rest of the house
• Alternate Bathroom Turns: Don’t let them all rush in at once to brush teeth to prevent the morning brawl
• Lay it Out the Night Before: Outfits down to the socks and shoes. Obvious, but again helps when it is too early to be making decisions and prevents looking for a shoe in the rush
• Decide Hair Before Bed: If you have girls, decide the night before which hairstyle for the next day to head off any arguments
• Accessible Hooks: Have hooks in their rooms at their height for towels, backpacks, jackets, ect.
• Keep it Where You Use it: If you normally fix hair in the living room, keep a basket of hair stuff right there for easy access
• Have Quick Options: Keep a box of granola bars or similar for mornings you need something fast on the way to school. Make sure it is not touched except for those rushing mornings
• Set a Timer: A simple 15 minute timer can lead to homework getting completed vs a 2 hour fight over if it will get done
• Limit Activities: Let each kid pick 1 activity to be involved in to allow for down time as well
• Assign Daily Chores: It’s easy when they know what to expect and there are great lessons to be learned from helping around the house. Don’t forget about yourself, a daily schedule can make tasks easier to manage
• Car Survival Kit: Keep a baggie or small tote full of extras in case of mishaps in the morning rush. Examples: extra hair ties/clips, small brush, lip balm, a wipe, a mint, ect.
• Car Cooler: If you are a busy family on the run all the time, consider a cooler or large lunch box full of more filling healthy snacks instead of take out or junk food
• Keep it at Hand: It’s wise to keep a notepad and pen in the car for jotting down reminders or planning while waiting in school lines
• Entertainment Tote: A special tote with activities that are only played with while big brother is at practice can help keep them entertained and prevent burnout. Consider a couple of different options and having one option available per day
• Habit of Scheduling: Probably the most obvious, but put everything on a schedule. Out of sight, out of mind really works. By having it written near by, things won’t be double booked/forgotten as easy. Don’t forget to schedule down time if your family struggles with this!

Ultimately, the best ticks are the ones that work for you and your family. The real secret behind all these hacks isn’t just about saving time or staying organized — it’s about the prep work that helps you stay regulated. By getting ahead with these small tricks, you’re creating the space and peace of mind you need to handle the inevitable chaos of school time. When you’re prepared, you can stay calm and collected, even when they’re not. So take one step today to make tomorrow a little easier. After all, why put off for tomorrow what can be done today?

We’re all in this together, and the best ideas often come from other parents. What’s a hack that has made a huge difference for your family? Share your wisdom in the comments and help out another mom who might need it.