Your back to school survival guide

Hey, you! We say it every year, but that’s not stopping us from saying it again now: How the actual [redacted] is it already time for back to school? We swear, we were just panic-booking summer camps and wrapping teacher thank you gifts. And now you’re telling me we have to do this whole back to school shebang again?

Getting your crew back to the books can be tough, so we’re devoting today’s newsletter to helping you do it as painlessly as possible. Piece of advice? Tell your kid that if they don’t bring their teacher’s list to Office Depot for supply shopping, you’re taking away TikTok for at least a week. See, we’re helping already!

P.S. Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here.

What if We Just…Skipped Back to School?

We’re listening: A growing number of parents are considering doing away with the traditional school framework their kids hate altogether. The movement is called “unschooling,” and it’s centered around the idea that kids learn what they need to know to be functioning adults when we let them pursue things self-directed. No curriculum, no milestones to hit, just vibes.

It’s like homeschooling, but with even fewer guardrails and directives. Would you consider unschooling for your kids?

Today in Proof Moms Deserve a Vacation

Moms lose more sleep during the school year than dads. And that’s not just our anecdotal experience (but we can confirm)—it’s proven by science.

Here’s why you feel like you need a 25th hour in the day, according to economists and health researchers:

• Moms tend to lose 25 minutes of sleep, 28 minutes of free time, and seven minutes of exercise on weekdays during the school year compared to the summer.

• Dads? They lose 11 minutes of sleep, 21 minutes of free time, and five minutes of exercise during the school year.

Our takeaway? Whatever your vice of choice is—wine, Netflix, a shameless scroll through “idris elba images” on Google—you deserve it.

Your Back to School Cost Breakdown + How to Save $$$

It’s not just in your head. Back to school shopping is getting more expensive every year. The rundown on costs this year?

• Back to school spending for families with kids in elementary through high school is set to reach $41.5 billion in the U.S. this year, which is up 12% from last year.

• That’s approximately $890 spent on school supplies alone per family.

• Why the uptick? Thank the “smart” classrooms. Electronics spending is expected to hit a record high this year at $15.2 billion, up 65% from a year ago.

So how can you save money on your back to school spending? You can plan ahead to shop sales and avoid double buying, consider secondhand options for things like electronics, and check out more saving tips here.

While we’re here: 94 of the best back to school sales, at your fingertips

Here’s to Our Learning Superheros

Not all kids learn the same. And for those who might learn a little differently, heading back to school can be a high-pressure, super stressful experience.

But learning differences are a strength! And as parents, we can show our kids just that. Take a listen to this Cat & Nat classic—an interview with writer Jordan Toma about helping our kids navigate learning differences and school struggles.

The perfect recs to help you feel like you’ve actually got this. Back to school is stressful, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay stressed, right?

• Practice your routine, because we know kids love those. Here’s a rundown of the reasons why your kid needs a routine and the best ways to implement them for back to school.

• Make a fun school lunch, because we never want our kids to be the ones whose parents only send tuna salad (speaking from experience). Here’s some inspo to get you started.

• Get healthy, because those kids are literally walking viruses these first few weeks of school. Here’s some info on what pediatricians are bracing for this back to school season.

• Treat yourself, because we all know you need it. Get some fresh air, listen to a funny podcast (we’ve got a recommendation or several), and don’t feel guilty about saying “I need some me time.”