First Day Feels: Juggling Work, Drop-Offs, and Bittersweet Goodbyes

First Day Feels: A Mom, a Teacher, Founder, Coach and the Juggle of It All

By Coach Amy – mom of three girls (Grade 2, Kindergarten, and Preschool)

The first week of school always comes with a wave of emotions, excitement, nerves, disbelief, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of logistics. As I prep for our Mini Baller fall term, and our first week back to school, I can't help but think about the families in our Mini Ballers community.

This year hits differently in my house. My oldest is heading into Grade 2, my middle is starting Kindergarten, and my youngest is off to preschool. That means two different drop-offs every morning before I even step into my own classroom by 8:45 am. If you’re a parent managing multiple stops on the way to work, I feel you. Truly.

The Multiple Drop-Off Shuffle

There’s a special kind of chaos that comes with hustling kids into shoes, backpacks, and the car when the clock is ticking. One stop for the preschooler, another for the kindergartener, and somewhere in there making sure my Grade 2 actually has her lunch in her bag. Then I walk into work, where I’m not just “mom,” but “Ms. Barlow,” the teacher responsible for 20-30 kids per section, committees, clubs, teams. It’s a juggle, and some days it feels impossible.

Bitter-Sweet Milestones

What makes it harder (and sweeter) is the emotional side. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that my middle child is already in Kindergarten. Weren’t we just doing toddler playdates and naps? These send-offs are filled with pride and joy, but also that ache parents know so well, the feeling of time slipping by too quickly.

A Salute to Parents Everywhere

To all the parents making the early morning commute, rushing from one daycare to another, or adjusting after a summer at home, you deserve a standing ovation. It’s hard work. It’s thankless at times. But it’s also the kind of work that shapes little humans into their best selves.

Finding Our Rhythm

The only thing that saves me (most days) is routine. Packing lunches and laying out clothes the night before. Setting bags by the door. Knowing which kid needs a hug, a bribe, help lotioning their face or brushing their teeth. It’s not glamorous, but it makes mornings smoother. And in between the chaos, I try to carve out small routines that enrich...not just survive our mornings. A quick breakfast together, a car ride sing-along, or a moment of encouragement before drop-off. These are the tiny rituals that matter.

As parents, we’ll always be balancing the bittersweet of watching our kids grow with the daily grind of just making it all happen. Here’s to the routines that save us, the teachers and caregivers who help us, and the parents who keep showing up, even when we’re running on fumes.

Happy back-to-school season from my family to yours.

We’ve got this. 💛

- Amy