By the time August rolls around, most parents are more than ready to get back to a routine. The long summer days start to feel endless, the snack requests multiply, and the novelty of no schedule wears thin.
But once the school year begins, that return to “normal” can feel a lot more chaotic than comforting. The calendar fills up fast. There are school drop-offs, permission slips, spirit days, and last-minute snack sign-ups. Your free time? Gone before you even realized you had it.
The few minutes you do have feel like they’re already spoken for. You’re squeezing in a run while the littles are at soccer practice and catching up on work emails while helping with geometry homework.
If it feels like you’re constantly on the go without a minute to recharge, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a Life 360 survey, 68% of parents say they feel burdened by the number of tasks they need to complete.
But there are ways to carve out time for yourself — even during the busiest season.
Back-to-school stress is real — and parents feel it most
You might have thought the back-to-school anxiety (and tears) would end once you got your diploma. But the truth is, this season doesn’t just put pressure on students. It’s overwhelming for parents, too.
In fact, over half (53%) of parents with children younger than 18 say that it’s the most stressful time of year, according to a survey by Understood.org. And those back-to-school tears? They’re not just for kindergartners. Sixty percent of parents admitted to crying during prep season.
Can you blame them?
The average parent spends 17 hours a week just coordinating schedules. And that’s on top of everything else: jobs, chores, appointments, meals, and the occasional attempt at rest.
The Life360 survey also found:
57% struggle to fit in all their family’s activities.
76% check their children’s schedules multiple times a day just to stay on track.
Make yourself part of the back-to-school routine
If your calendar feels like a collage of everyone else’s needs, it probably is. Parents are often the first to give up personal time to keep everything running smoothly.
But you deserve a place in the routine, too.
That doesn’t mean booking a weekend getaway or putting a moratorium on after-school activities. Small, consistent changes can help you feel more in control and less stretched.
Here are a few realistic ways to make time for yourself this fall:
1. Take a 10-minute morning walk
Before the emails. Before the breakfast scramble. A quick walk around the block can help you clear your head, move your body, and start the day on a steadier note.
2. Protect your evenings
You’ve probably focused on building a solid nighttime routine for your kids — winding things down, turning off screens, making sure they get enough sleep for a full day at school. But what about your routine?
A survey by OnePoll, reported in the New York Post, found that 60% of parents are so stressed about back-to-school season they lose sleep. And it’s no wonder — the to-do list doesn’t end when the school day does.
Instead of starting another load of laundry or catching up on emails, give yourself 20 quiet minutes. Read a few pages of a book. Stretch. Just sit. A calming evening routine can help you separate from the stress of the day and ease into better sleep.
3. Set a screen-time cutoff
You’ve probably answered a school message while making dinner or replied to a group chat during your evening walk. But feeling constantly connected can make it harder to truly disconnect — and it adds to the emotional burnout many parents feel this time of year.
Try choosing a time each night when you stop checking your phone. The messages, updates, and reminders will still be there tomorrow. Giving your brain a break from screens helps you shift out of go mode and into rest mode.
4. Accept help, even if it’s not perfect
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do it all. But if you’re already feeling stretched thin, that’s exactly when it’s time to ask for help.
Whether it’s coordinating a carpool with another parent, sending in a gift card instead of running to the store for back-to-school supplies, or leaning on your partner more than usual — letting go of the pressure to handle everything can free up time and headspace. Not everything has to be done perfectly to be done well.
Saying “yes” to help can make room for something often pushed to the side this time of year: you.
Why a hot tub might be the reset you need
Some self-care strategies require time and effort. Others, like a backyard hot tub, are built into your space and easy to use when the opportunity shows up.
While a hot tub might not be part of your usual back-to-school prep, it can be one of the simplest ways to create a moment of calm during a busy season.
A pause between roles
It’s hard to shift gears when you go from work to parenting with no break in between. Taking even 10 or 15 minutes in the hot tub helps create space between those parts of the day. It’s quiet, screen-free, and helps ease you into your next role with a little more patience.
A better bedtime routine
Instead of lying in bed running through tomorrow’s to-do list, try taking 15 to 20 minutes to unwind in a hot tub. The warm water helps relax tense muscles, ease mental stress, and gently signal to your body that it’s time to rest.
Research shows that raising your body temperature before bed — then allowing it to drop — supports deeper, more restorative sleep. As part of a regular bedtime routine, a soak in a hot tub can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
A space to reconnect
Couples average just 6 to 7 hours of quality time together each week, according to research. But during the back-to-school season, that time often gets squeezed into weekends. As for weeknights, they can feel like a blur of schedules and obligations.
A hot tub can help shift the pace. Whether you use it to catch up with your partner or claim a few quiet moments alone, it offers a break from the constant motion. No dishes in the sink, no reminders on the fridge — just warm water and a few minutes to reconnect, reflect, or simply breathe.
It’s good for them, too
A hot tub isn’t just a tool for parents. It can benefit the whole family.
Kids who play sports can use the massage jets to relax tired muscles after practice. For those who deal with stress or anxiety, the warm water offers a calming environment. And for everyone, it can be a space to connect without distractions.
It’s also a chance to lead by example. Children are strongly influenced by their parents’ habits, including how they manage stress and prioritize health. When parents make time for regular self-care, kids are more likely to follow. Studies show that children of active parents are significantly more likely to be active themselves, and positive modeling has an even greater impact on younger kids.
By setting aside time to recharge — whether it’s a soak in the hot tub or a quiet break — you’re not just helping yourself. You’re showing your children that wellness matters.
A new kind of back-to-school essential
Between school, work, and everything in between, this season fills up quickly. But good habits, even small ones, can make a big difference in how you feel.
A hot tub might not be on the school supply list, but it can help you restore energy, lower stress, and create space to focus on what matters most — all without leaving home.
Explore hot tubs from Master Spas, designed to help busy parents relax, recharge, and reconnect, even during the busiest time of year.