Backpacks, Binders, & Burnout: When Back-to-School Becomes Too Much

July 25, 2025

Healthy Living

It starts with a sale on crayons in aisle five- and suddenly, we’re spiraling. Lunchboxes, carpool calendars, school forms, snack sign-ups, and the dreaded “parent portal login.” Back-to-school season: that magical time when excitement collides with exhaustion… usually by mid-August.

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or just someone trying to dodge the glue-stick display at Target, this season can stir up a storm of stress. And if we’re honest, most of us try to handle it all in our own strength- armed with color-coded planners and a prayer whispered between drop-offs. But here’s the truth: God never asked us to carry the full weight of this season alone. He offers something better. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

Rest? During back-to-school chaos? Is that even allowed? Yes. Yes, it is. But it may require releasing the pressure we put on ourselves. That Pinterest-perfect lunch? Your kid is trading it for someone’s fruit snacks anyway. The first-day photo with matching outfits? Wonderful- if it happens. But it’s not the benchmark for Godly parenting. The flawless classroom? Bonus points, not a Biblical mandate. God’s not grading your performance this semester… He’s offering peace in the midst of the mess. The same God who guided Moses through the wilderness can help you navigate supply lists, sleep schedules, and school-year stress.

So, what if this year, instead of striving for control, we practiced surrender? What if we paused long enough to pray before we planned? What if we let grace cover the gaps our energy can’t? And if the pressure is heavier than a few deep breaths and a verse can lift- let’s talk about it. Anxiety, burnout, mental overload- it’s okay to need support. God never called us to hustle our way to holiness. He calls us to walk with Him- even through the school pickup line.

Feeling the strain as the year ramps up? You’re not alone. Reach out to schedule a counseling session and discover how to move forward with peace, purpose, and maybe even a little laughter.

In the video below, Dr. Jerra Dooley talks about practical steps you can take to walk in peace during the back-to-school season.