Back-to-school season is here—and the chaos is real. In this episode, we delve into the emotional, logistical, and mental overload that accompanies the start of a new school year. Whether you're a Type A planner or a Type B vibes-only mom, this conversation offers validation, laughs, and practical tips to help you navigate it all like a true commander.
From the emotional whiplash of first-day drop-offs to the reality of routines that never go as planned, we're talking about the whole experience—mom guilt, empty planners, surprise permission slips, outfit bins (or not), and how to prepare yourself for this season, too. Because back-to-school isn’t just a transition for your kids—it’s a transition for you.
QUOTES
“You don’t have to love this season to do it well. You just have to show up.” — Annie
“If showing up means store-bought snacks and no bento boxes? That’s still valid.” — Katelynn
“Whether you're color-coding a binder or Googling school supply lists the night before—you’re still showing up.” — Katelynn
“Chaos can happen either way. Type A chaos is doing too much. Type B chaos is doing nothing until it’s urgent.” — Annie
“Make a checklist for you too. You’re not just managing your kid’s transition—you’re navigating yours.” — Katelynn
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Emotional whiplash is real—back-to-school brings grief and relief at the same time.
2️⃣ Solo moms often face a unique mental and emotional load—acknowledge it and build in care for yourself.
3️⃣ Forget Pinterest-perfect and focus on rhythm over rigidity.
4️⃣ You need a checklist too—permission slips, logins, and lunch money don’t organize themselves.
5️⃣ Lead with compassion. You’re a commander—no matter your back-to-school style.
FEATURED CHAOS ANTHEM
“Back to School Again” by Four Tops
This week’s anthem is a funky, feel-good throwback that perfectly captures the whirlwind of new routines, early mornings, and last-minute supply runs. Whether you're dancing through the chaos or just trying to remember which app to check for lunch balances, this song reminds us that we’ve done this before—and we can do it again. Backpacks, permission slips, and all.
🎧 You can find it (and all our episode anthems) on The Chaos Commanders: Season One playlists available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
CONNECT WITH US
📣 Share your funniest back-to-school fail with us @thechaoscommanders — we want to hear from you!
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📸 Instagram: @thechaoscommanders📘 Facebook: The Chaos Commanders Podcast🌐 Website: thechaoscommanders.com
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