Back-to-School, Back-to-Sidelines

September doesn’t ease in gently—it shows up like a ref’s whistle at 7 a.m. sharp. Suddenly, you’re juggling school drop-offs, supply lists, and three different sports schedules before you’ve even finished your first cup of coffee.

New year, new notebooks, new schedules—and somehow a few apps to juggle everything. Once the first bell rings, the calendar fills up fast: practices, games, carpools, and the occasional “oh by the way, I need cleats by tomorrow, mine don’t fit.”

It’s a lot. And if you’re like me, you’re trying to keep the school routine moving while also getting everyone to the right field, gym, or school on time. Some days it feels less like parenting and more like air traffic control.

But here’s the good part: standing on the sidelines, watching your kid out there doing what they love. That’s the payoff. The chaos is real, but so is the feeling you get when you see them in their element.

A couple things that help me keep the wheels turning:

• Block your calendar like a boss. If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist. Games, practices, even “leave at 4:15 or you’ll be late.” For sports schedules you know I love orgo! 

• Keep a sideline bag ready. Blanket, jacket, chairs/stadium seats water, snacks, portable charger—it lives in the car so I don’t have to think twice.

• Know when to say no. Every kid doesn’t need every activity. Protecting a little white space in the week is sanity-saving. 

This year I’m keeping it simple—showing up, staying warm, and remembering that it doesn’t have to be perfect. If the homework gets finished and the kids make it to the game, that’s a win. Bonus points if I get to watch from the sidelines without freezing or getting drenched. (Thank you, sideline jacket which I already used last week!!!)

Final tip? Choose chill. The schedules, the carpools, the games—they’ll run you if you let them. But if you can laugh at the chaos, cheer on your kid, and enjoy the sidelines, you’ve already won.

So here’s to a new school year—messy calendars, busy evenings, and all the moments that make it worth it.

Game on.