Making Back-to-School Season Easier: Time-Saving Tips for Busy Families

Kristin Brandenburg
Aug 9
3 min read

Back-to-school season has a funny way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? One minute you’re soaking up the last summer BBQ, and the next you’re knee-deep in supply lists, permission slips, and “Mom, where are my shoes?” moments.

It’s exciting—new teachers, fresh notebooks, and a routine (finally!)—but let’s be honest… it’s also exhausting. Mornings feel like a sprint, afternoons are a blur of activities, and by the time dinner rolls around, you’re too tired to even think about cooking.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. With a little planning (and maybe a helping hand or two), you can make the school year feel less like a marathon and more like a steady, manageable jog.

Here’s how:

1. Get Your Game Plan in Place

Before the school-year chaos kicks in, take a little time to set yourself up for success.

Hang a big family calendar where everyone can see it. Color-code each person’s schedule if you’re feeling fancy.
Create a “launch zone” near the door with hooks, baskets, and shelves for backpacks, shoes, and jackets.
Spend 10 minutes on Sunday laying out clothes for the week so you can skip the “But I can’t find my favorite hoodie!” drama.

2. Make Mornings Work for You

If mornings tend to feel like herding cats, you’re not alone. The trick is to set yourself up so the hard work happens the night before.

Prep breakfasts you can grab and go—think overnight oats, fruit parfaits, or breakfast burritos you can reheat in seconds.
Keep a running checklist in plain view so you’re not shouting “Did you brush your teeth?!” for the third time.

3. Outsource Dinner (Yes, Really)

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all yourself. One of the best back-to-school sanity savers is letting someone else handle the cooking.

Enter Piston Annie’s Plate—a personal home cooking service run by Kristin in Clayton, OH. She does the grocery shopping, the chopping, the cooking… and hands you ready-to-enjoy meals so you can skip the dinner scramble entirely.

It’s simple:

Pick your meal package (from one to five meals a week) and choose from her monthly menu.
Share your preferences and dietary needs.
Kristin does the rest—shopping, prepping, and cooking in her licensed commercial kitchen.
You swing by to pick up your meals, ready to heat, eat, or freeze.

Not local? She’s got you covered with virtual meal planning—complete with a custom grocery list and an online cart ready to check out. You still get the mental relief of “what’s for dinner?” already being answered.

4. Cook Smarter, Not Harder

For the nights you do cook at home, give yourself a break.

Double your recipes and freeze half for a busy week.
Grab pre-cut veggies or rotisserie chicken to speed things up.
Get the kids involved—they can pack lunches, stir sauces, or set the table. (Pro tip: kids are way more likely to eat something they helped make.)

5. End the Day with Tomorrow in Mind

A few minutes of prep at night can make mornings so much smoother.

Lay out clothes.
Pack lunches and snacks.
Make sure homework and supplies are in backpacks.
Set the breakfast table or portion out smoothie ingredients so mornings start on autopilot.

Take a Breath—You’ve Got This

Back-to-school doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind every single day. With a little prep, a few shortcuts, and some help from people like Kristin at Piston Annie’s Plate, you can keep your family fed, your schedule under control, and your sanity intact.

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to get through the season—it’s to actually enjoy it. And trust me, it’s a whole lot easier to do that when dinner’s already taken care of.

Sample Weekly Agenda

Day	Task
Sunday	Use weekend downtime to do laundry, organize backpacks, and set out school clothes. Order meals for the week from Kristin.
Monday Evening	Pick up meals from Kristin. Enjoy a ready-to-eat slow-cooked entree. Pop a breakfast casserole in the oven for easy reheating during busy weekday mornings.
Tuesday–Friday Morning	Reheat a slice of breakfast casserole or grab a container of overnight oats if you're on the go!
Evenings	Grab a dinner from the fridge, follow the easy instructions, and pick up a fork.

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back-to-stress. With a little planning—and smart help like Piston Annie’s Plate—you’ll own the season, not just survive it.