September Energies and Routines for Moms

Jena Muhr discusses the excitement and family-routine pitfalls of the back-to-school season. 

At the end of the summer, it feels like things are back to real life. Summer was amazing and a bit relaxing. It was so nice to be out of the usual routine or at least in a partially more relaxed routine. School is back in session now, and fall sports are gearing up. In some places (definitely not my home), the weather is starting to cool.

This is the start of a long stretch before the holiday season begins; at times, this feels like the longest slog of the year. We’re getting back into routines or thinking about burning the house down and starting from scratch because the routines are not working anymore. The energy is high because we’re back at it and back to the grindstone, for better or worse.

What I have found that helps me cope with all the goings-on during this time of the year is to focus on the new beginning that is this school year. Fine-tuning the routines already established in your family will help keep the ship afloat during this busy season.

Focus on Routines That Work

The back-to-school energy is real and amazing. It can definitely feel overwhelming and like everything is falling apart, because it is a hard time of the year. But maybe you don’t need to overhaul everything. Sometimes some minor tweaks can set things up to be better than the year before. If a routine is not working, feels forced or you think could be better; now is a good time to think about where the pinch point is and how it can be better.

In my family, tying shoelaces is a pinch point for us and it can lead us to being late or at least frustrated in getting out the door in the mornings. I set aside an hour one day and taught my daughter how to tie her shoes. I probably should have done this months ago, but better late than tying them for her as a sophomore in high school.

My routine focus for last September was the dreaded after-sports practice snack at night. I solved this by having snacks in each kid’s soccer bag for them to eat on the way home. No late-night hunting in the kitchen, and everyone was ready for baths when entering the house.

Set Yourself Up for Success

The number one way that helps me do this is to restock what is used up before you need it again. One of my least favorite things is opening the cupboard and finding a container empty when there is a refill in the pantry.

To help my brain and to keep the home running smoothly I try to refill or restock items before they are 100% gone. My rule of thumb is to make sure that it is enough in the container for the next serving I usually need from it. This can be refilling the sugar before it is all gone or putting the last few crackers in a ziplock (ready for a packed lunch!) and getting the next box into position. This also works for sports bags, backpacks and toilet paper.

Focus Your Energies

There is always a lot that is asked during this season. Ask for help or take the easier way when you need to. I am saying this mostly to myself, because I have a tendency to “need” to do everything 1000% all of the time. I’m a bit of a it’s-not-a-homemade-meal-if-there-isn’t-homemade-bread-on-the-table kind of gal. And, if you’re anything like me, I need a frequent reminder that it is OK for someone else to pick out your produce at the market if you only have time for a drive-up order. It’s also OK not to have goody bags for soccer treats; a granola bar and juice box will do just fine for the kids. Taking the easier or easy-ish way out is way better than overdoing it and not enjoying things.

Take the time that you need to re-center yourself and to allow yourself to be there for others. For me this means making sure that I say my prayers before bed each night, work out most mornings, and attend Mass at least once a week. If I am not able to do these consistently, I always feel like I am not giving others my best because I have not given myself my best first.

Enjoy all of the pumpkin spice and excitement of this wonderful time of transition!

What's your best tip for back-to-school routines?

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Copyright 2026 Jena Muhr
Images: Canva