Why Smart Moms Deal With School Emails in July (And Thank Themselves in August)

The secret to a stress-free back-to-school season starts long before September.

I know, dear mama.

For these two precious summer months of July and August, you just want to forget that school even exists. You want to forget the hectic mornings, the homework supervision, the activities, the projects, the permission slips and the eternal dilemma of what on earth you are supposed to put in the lunchbox yet again tomorrow. As soon as summer vacation begins, something changes in the atmosphere of the house. Even if you are still working, there is an undeniable relief in not having to organize your entire life around the school bus schedule. The pace slows down, mornings become softer, and suddenly life feels a little more wellbeing-friendly. You find yourself with enough time to exercise before the children wake up, meditate for a few minutes, take a short walk around the neighborhood, or even prepare an actual breakfast for yourself instead of surviving on coffee and whatever leftovers happen to be available. At this point, I probably sound like I hate school more than my kids do. Oh well.

And just when you have fully surrendered to this beautiful state of summer relaxation, the emails start arriving.

First comes the final report card. Then the school's wishes for a wonderful summer. Then the confirmations that all annual fees have been paid. Shortly afterward appear the notices about new fees that need to be settled before the end of August, general instructions for a smooth return to school, health forms that need to be completed as soon as possible, and all sorts of administrative reminders that are determined to follow you right into your vacation.

And then come the lists.

Oh, the school supply lists.

The endless pages of notebooks, exercise books, rulers, geometry sets, binders, pencils, markers, folders and all kinds of items that seem to multiply every year. Now, in my case, please multiply all of this by three children and three different grades, each with its own specific requirements and requests, and you'll get a fairly accurate idea of what my July inbox looks like every single summer.

Believe me when I tell you that nothing would make me happier than pretending these emails don't exist and continuing to swim peacefully in the summer laziness where time slows down. The temptation to postpone all school-related matters until the very last days of August is enormous.

Unfortunately, experience has taught me something important.

Future me is never thankful when I do that.

Because when the end of August arrives, vacation is over, routines have to be re-established, the entire household needs to be reorganized, meal planning returns, alarms need to be reset and suddenly I find myself desperately scrolling through two months of emails trying to remember which child needs which form, which account has been paid, which one still needs attention, and what exactly the teachers requested back in early July.

At the same time, I end up shopping from whatever school supplies happen to be left on the shelves.

And let's be honest, mama: if you want the good selection, the sturdy lunchboxes, the cute notebooks, the quality backpacks and all the options available, July is the month to shop. By late August, many stores look as if a small educational hurricane has passed through them.

So over the years I developed a simple strategy that has made my life considerably easier.

I deal with those emails immediately.

Not dramatically. Not with enthusiasm. Certainly not because I enjoy it.

I simply open them when they arrive, complete the forms, pay the fees, verify the information and move on with my day. Most of these tasks take less than two minutes. Yet if left untouched, they somehow manage to occupy a permanent corner of our minds all summer long.

I often ask myself what exactly I gain by postponing them. The fees will still need to be paid in August. The forms will still require completion. The school supplies will still need to be purchased. Why not eliminate the obligation as soon as it appears and create a little more mental space instead? Why carry these unfinished tasks through the summer like a tiny shadow following you everywhere, quietly reminding you of everything that still needs to be done?

As for the school lists, I know they're about as compatible with summer vacation as snow boots are with a tropical beach. When your playlist consists of reggae music and all you want is sand in your feet and a piña colada in your hand, the last thing you feel like shopping for is exercise books and protractors.

But imagine this.

It's the end of August. The vacation is over. The suitcases have been unpacked. The house has returned to normal. School starts in two days and all around you other parents are running from store to store trying to locate the last remaining glue sticks and the exact notebook requested by a teacher.

Meanwhile, in every child's room, proudly placed on the desk, sits a backpack. Maybe it's brand new, maybe it's last year's but freshly washed and looking its best. Inside, every item from the school list is already waiting in perfect order. The lunchboxes are clean, sturdy and ready to be filled with new culinary inspiration. The water bottles are prepared. The labels are attached. Everything is done.

And there you are, looking at it all, feeling something wonderful.

Peace.

Relief.

Pride.

Because at a moment when many moms are overwhelmed, you can simply enjoy those final days of summer with your family.

So take care of them when they arrive. Complete the forms. Pay the accounts. Buy the supplies. Then close the laptop, pour yourself something cold and enjoy the rest of your summer knowing that your future self is already thanking you.

Because when September arrives, you'll look at those perfectly prepared backpacks and think:

"Wow. I really did this."

And you know what?

You rock, Mama. 💕

Love, Katerina