Summer’s great… until it isn’t.

Don’t get us wrong — the pool days, popsicles, and lack of a strict schedule are wonderful. But if you’re a working mom, summer can also mean juggling Zoom calls with “Mom, I’m hungry” on repeat, rearranging your workday to fit camp pick-ups, and silently wondering if you’ll ever drink a cup of coffee while it’s still hot again.

And then… August hits. The school supply lists arrive. The backpacks get packed. Suddenly, your house is quieter for more hours of the day. And here’s the thing: this isn’t just a transition for your kids. This is your fresh start, too.

Why Back-to-School Is the Perfect Reset

Think of it like a second New Year. You’ve got built-in structure, renewed energy, and maybe a little more breathing room. It’s the ideal time to:

• Revisit your personal and professional goals.
• Build habits you’ve been putting off.
• Finally carve out time for the things that have been living on your “someday” list.

Because here’s the truth: when your kids are thriving and you’re thriving, everyone wins.

Step 1: Decide What Matters Now

Start by asking: What do I actually want in this season?
Not what you “should” want. Not what Instagram says you should want. What you really, truly want.

Maybe it’s…

• Growing your business or asking for that raise.
• Training for your first 5K.
• Building a morning routine that energizes you.
• Reading more books that light you up.

Write down three things you want to focus on between now and the holidays. Keep them visible — on a sticky note by your desk, as your phone background, or taped to your bathroom mirror.

Step 2: Time-Block Like a Boss

The structure of the school day is your secret weapon. Instead of letting it fill up with errands and “just one more email,” protect blocks of time for your priorities.

Try this:

• Power Hour: One hour, three times a week, dedicated solely to your top goal. No distractions.
• Theme Days: Mondays for deep work, Tuesdays for networking, Fridays for personal development.
• School-Day Sprints: Short bursts of focused work while the kids are out — then let yourself fully unplug when they’re home.

Step 3: Build Your Support System

You don’t have to do it alone (and shouldn’t). Whether it’s swapping carpool duties, hiring a sitter for an hour after school, or working from a coworking space like Thrive, having a village makes all the difference.

Resources to explore:

• Peanut – an app to connect with local moms for friendship and support.
• Care.com – for finding reliable childcare or household help.
• Thrive Coworking – for a quiet, inspiring space to focus without home distractions.

Step 4: Make Space for You (Guilt-Free)

If you’ve been putting yourself last all summer, it’s time to flip the script. Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s essential fuel for everything else you do.

Self-care can look like:

• Booking that haircut you’ve been putting off.
• Taking a midday walk without your phone.
• Saying “no” to extra commitments that don’t serve you.
• Picking up a hobby just for fun (yes, fun still exists).

Step 5: Track Your Wins

You wouldn’t let your kids start the school year without a progress report — so give yourself one, too.

• Use a journal or habit tracker app (like Streaks or Habitica) to log your progress.
• Celebrate even small wins — they compound over time.

Your Back-to-School Challenge:

For the next 30 days, commit to one action every weekday that moves you toward your personal goals. It could be writing for 20 minutes, sending a networking email, or taking a yoga class. At the end of the month, look back and see how much closer you are to the version of you that you want to be.

The school year isn’t just your kids’ time to grow — it’s yours, too. So sharpen your pencils, fill your calendar with what matters most, and get ready to make this your best season yet.

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Thrive isn’t just a workspace; it’s a vibrant community of inspiring women who support and empower each other. With its beautiful decor, abundant amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, Thrive provides the perfect environment to boost productivity and achieve your professional goals. If you’re looking for a space to focus, connect, and grow, consider trying out Thrive for yourself. Join us and discover the difference a dedicated, empowering workspace can make in your life and career!

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