Back-to-school season is hectic. To stay sane, we do the bare minimum for 1 month.

Back-to-school season can be overwhelming, but one mother has found a way to manage the stress by doing the bare minimum for one month. As summer winds down and school routines begin, parents face a barrage of emails, forms, and shopping lists, all contributing to a growing sense of anxiety. This writer, a mother of four ages 9 to 17 who is also an educator, has developed a "less is more" rule to help her family navigate the first few weeks of school without adding unnecessary stress.

During this period, the family avoids hosting events, attending social gatherings, or participating in extra activities. Instead, they focus on maintaining healthy routines, prioritizing sleep, and enjoying simple pleasures like late-night swims and Sunday movies. The writer emphasizes the importance of saying "no" to invitations and refraining from over-scheduling to allow for a smoother transition into the new school year.

By embracing this minimalist approach, the family aims to reduce stress and maintain a sense of balance amidst the inevitable back-to-school demands.