This is a list—a list of what NOT to do during the first week of school. Sure, we have lots of lists of things to do to get ready for school, to get back in the swing of school, and more. But this is not that list. This is the list of the “nopes.”

Author Jen Hatmaker has a Yearly Back to School PSA about doing NOTHING the first weekend of school. She states it pretty clearly … do nothing. No celebrations, no sporting events, no nothing. Your kids are toast. They can’t handle it. She writes in bold and in all caps, “THEY CAN’T DEAL. DON’T EXPECT THEM TO DEAL.” And if you are being honest with yourself, you are probably going to be pretty cashed out, too. Your family can’t handle anything. This author wholeheartedly agrees with Hatmaker. 

The sad part is that Fall sports and, often, the schools still plan things for the first week (and that first weekend of school). Chill out, sports and school! In our home, we try to lay low that first week and weekend. Typically, there are events that we are required to attend and that mess up our best-laid plans.  

It is all overwhelming, and everyone needs an adjustment period. There is so much new happening, no matter your child’s age. These are huge transitions … from Pre-K to college. You must be mindful of what a big deal this is. So here is the DO NOT list for the first week (and the weekend).

Your First Week of School Do Not List

  • Do not go into the first week of school without a plan. Build your routine and work it for back to school. The routine will be hard, but it will save you. 
  • Do not just wing it for back to school. Plan the outfits, lay out the backpacks, and pre-pack the lunch boxes. Future you will love past you so much for making their life easier. 
  • Do not leave your house after school unless it is absolutely necessary. And even then, it will be a horrible mistake. 
  • Do not try to do everything this week. Do the bare minimum. This is not the week to be a superfamily. Spread that awesomeness out for later. 
  • Do not sweat the small stuff. Tensions will be high, nerves will be raw, and emotions will be all over the place. Let the small stuff slide. 
  • Do not let anyone get hungry. This is the time for nourishment, comfort food, and lots and lots of water. You will need to be hydrated for the tears that may be in your future. 
  • Do not overlook the power of sleep. Make sure you ALL are getting enough sleep. Sleep is the closest thing we have to magic. It makes everything feel better. So go to bed early.
  • Do not neglect to model good behavior by showing your child the importance of learning and growth, engaging in your own educational pursuits, and demonstrating a positive attitude towards challenges.
  • Do not fight with your children, even if you have teenagers who really want to fight with you. They will need grace this week, and you will need it, too. 
  • Do not expect them to be able to really share how it is all going. They are figuring out their schedules, their lunches, their friends, their teachers … all the things. The last thing they can do is give you a blow-by-blow on how they are acclimating to it all. 
  • Do not ignore the teachers’ letters and requests. This is their first week back, too, and they have more than your precious angels to deal with, so make their life easier. 
  • Do not stay uninformed. Keep up to date with school policies, events, and curriculum changes. This helps you stay engaged and better support your child’s learning journey.
  • Do not forget to tell your kids you love them and that you are so proud of them. This is a big deal! They are proud of you, too, even if they don’t know it yet. 

What do you think about the Do Not List? What are your back-to-school tips? What are the no-go’s for the first week of school? What did we miss? Are you going to incorporate this into your schedule? We would love to hear from you!