I’m Happy My Kids Are Back in School, but Life Was Easier When They Were Home

After a long 18 months at home, juggling remote learning and homeschooling, my two boys finally returned to school earlier this month. While I’ve felt anxious about sending them back amidst a still-active pandemic, one of my children is vaccinated, and both schools are implementing strong safety measures. Overall, I believe it was the right choice. Their mental health was suffering, and they needed the social interaction and structure that school provides.

So far, they seem to be adjusting well. I worried they might be overwhelmed by the early mornings and the rush to catch their buses, but aside from a few hiccups, they appear to be thriving. Surprisingly, I haven’t heard much grumbling about early wake-ups or homework.

In contrast, I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and drained. Don’t get me wrong—I cherish the quiet of the house during school hours. Last year, both my husband, a teacher, and I were working from home while also trying to educate our kids, which was chaotic and noisy. Yet, I was less stressed during that time than I am now.

Having everyone at home allowed for a more relaxed schedule. We could sleep in a bit longer, avoid the frantic mornings of packing lunches, getting kids dressed, and out the door. We could tackle household chores at our own pace instead of rushing to tidy up in the early hours or just before bed. Flexibility was key.

Part of my current stress stems from the fact that last year, my husband was home to help out more. He was working part-time and freelance, which meant he could handle breakfast and lunch for the kids and help with morning dishes. Now, he leaves before my youngest is even awake, leaving me to manage the morning routine alone.

Once my youngest is on the bus, I dive into work. I try to maximize every minute while my kids are at school, often aiming to wrap up by 3 PM to greet them when they return. The hours between 3 and 8 PM are a whirlwind of feeding kids, cleaning lunch boxes, preparing meals, assisting with homework, and responding to teachers’ emails. If I haven’t finished my work by then, I might squeeze in an hour or two after the little one is asleep, but then I’m exhausted.

Now that I have a high schooler, he stays up late with us, often popping in to chat while my husband and I try to unwind. I enjoy these late-night conversations—they’re when teens seem to open up—but it adds to my busy schedule. From dawn until I finally collapse into bed, I am non-stop.

Last year was undoubtedly stressful due to the pandemic and my kids’ isolation, but I had forgotten how much extra responsibility comes with sending kids back to school. The emails, permission slips, lunch orders, and homework can be overwhelming.

Despite the challenges, I have no regrets about sending them back. They genuinely seem to enjoy school, especially after such a long break. I know I’ll adapt again; after all, I sent kids to school for years before the pandemic.

The shutdown taught me the value of a slower pace, and modern parenting—balancing work with kids’ school and activities—can feel like a circus. Neither my husband nor I can stop working, and we can’t afford extra help. It’s a heavy burden, but at least I know we’re not alone. Every parent I know is navigating similar struggles, whether it’s hectic schedules or pandemic-related anxieties.

We will get through this, as we always do, because that’s just what parents do. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination and related topics, check out this blog post, and for more information on artificial insemination, visit this resource. For broader insights into treating infertility, this guide is excellent.

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In summary, while I’m grateful my kids are back in school, the transition has brought new challenges and responsibilities. The earlier flexibility of remote learning made life simpler, yet I know we will adapt to the new routine.

Keyphrase: Back to School Challenges

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