TSG Volume 11 Members share their advice for juggling a thriving business with a busy family schedule.

Working parents know the struggle of the first few weeks of August. Between soccer practices, cooking dinners, receiving inventory, managing employees, grocery shopping, Meet the Teacher events, and more, the list of tasks that take up your time as kids transition back to school can seem endless. 

How do you balance your family with your business during this transitional season? How do you help your kids thrive in their new school year while making sure the lights stay on at work?

We gathered perspective from several of our Vol. 11 Members on easing the back to school shift. 

Kacie Trexler – Sweet E’s Boutique

As a boutique owner, Kacie Trexler works year round to keep kids looking cute in the latest fashions, but this time of year she also works hard to make sure her own kids are set up for success when it comes to returning to school. Trexler says the toughest thing about moving out of summer break is establishing new bedtime routines and not being able to sleep in. Getting school bags prepped and ready the night before is a huge help in getting out the door for school. 

The Trexler family has two older girls and two younger ones, so she says schedules can be tough to navigate. “I frequently work while sitting watching them practice their sports,” she says. Sometimes that means late nights and early mornings, but Trexler says “at the end of the day, being a mom is first!”

The Trexler family believes consistency is key when getting back into a routine and the sooner you can be consistent, the easier the transition will be. 

Jessica Upshaw – Highlands Residential Mortgage

While working in an office might offer a little more consistency than running a boutique, Jessica Upshaw at Highlands Residential Mortgage still has to juggle the work life with the mom life. 

Upshaw agrees with Trexler that transitioning to a new normal after a summer of flexibility is the hardest part. She says her family thrives with structure so they look forward to getting a consistent schedule when school starts back.

Teamwork makes the dream work for Upshaw and her husband Joe; she says “he helps by handling the house and family duties on my busy work days. We tag-team our roles, ensuring that both our professional and personal lives are well-supported and nurtured.”

Her best pro tip on managing the changing seasons comes down to organization. Upshaw says to put everything down on paper to keep schedules clear! 

“We have a large calendar in our kitchen that we update monthly to keep track of everyone’s commitments, helping to coordinate work and family activities. It is a life saver for us!“

Julie Thomas – The Stanley School

We also spoke with the President of the The Stanley School for her advice on supporting your children as they make their way back into the classroom. 

Thomas said that a big hurdle for kids as they come out of summer break is facing some separation anxiety since they have just been around their parents way more than usual. Thomas echoes the tips from above, saying “we recommend our parents attempt to continue their school routine and duplicate focus on their child’s lesson plan and topics while away for breaks or trips.”

Her final tip applies to home and business: set strong boundaries. “Communication is vital. Parents must set boundaries at home and in their workplace. We need to learn to say no to less critical demands outside the home, so we have time and energy to give to our families and visa versa” says Thomas. 

While the “back to school” season is exciting, it can be stressful for everyone in the family. We hope these tips remind you that you are not alone. It’s important to lean on your community and find support from your fellow friends small business!