Back-to-School Blues (and How We're Easing the Anxiety)

Because the first week back is hard — for both of us.

The first week back at school is never easy. But when you’re parenting a neurodivergent teen, it can feel like walking a tightrope — hoping you’ve done enough, packed the right lunch, and remembered all the supports they’ll need when the overwhelm hits.

We’re feeling it this week. The nerves, the resistance, the tension in the air.

So here's how we’re grounding ourselves through the chaos:

1. We’re Sticking to the Routine (As Best We Can)

There’s comfort in the predictable. Even if everything else feels up in the air, we’re keeping the basics steady — bedtime, wake-up, breakfast, even the little things like which hoodie is ready by the door. Those tiny routines become anchors. They remind him (and me) that some things stay the same, even when everything else is new again.

2. We Planned Lunches Together

Instead of guessing what he’ll actually eat or arguing about it at 7 a.m., we sat down and made a plan. He picked out snacks that feel safe and familiar. I made sure there was a balance. It wasn’t perfect, but it was collaborative — and that gives him ownership and a sense of control in a week that usually feels like everything is out of his hands.

3. We Booked Therapy for Monday

The Monday after the first week back — that’s when everything tends to crash. The pressure, the energy crash, the emotional hangover. So instead of waiting for the spiral, we’re being proactive. Therapy is on the calendar. It’s a soft landing, a place where he can unpack all the noise of the week. No pressure to “fix” anything — just a space to talk.

4. We’re Naming the Feelings (Not Fighting Them)

Instead of saying “You’re fine,” I’m reminding both of us: It’s okay to feel anxious. This is a lot. It’s normal to need extra time, quiet mornings, or space after school. We’re practicing saying what we feel without needing to explain or justify it.

5. We’re Letting Good Enough Be Good Enough

Not every day is going to be smooth. Some mornings will feel like chaos. Some evenings will end in tears. That doesn’t mean we failed. It means we’re human. And surviving the first week back is a win in itself.

So to the parents riding this wave right now: I see you.

You’re not alone in the early wake-ups, the emotional mornings, the after-school shutdowns. You’re doing enough. You’re doing more than enough.

Let’s breathe through it, one school day at a time. 💛