For many moms, the back to school season brings with it the pressure to be involved on so many different fronts. Schools need help, classes need room parents, sports teams need coaches, sponsors, and team parents. Not to mention the crazy amount of paperwork, the juggling of changing schedules, academic stressors, ever evolving friendships, play dates, the list goes on and on. 

And with that list comes the inevitable guilt, the pressure to say yes, and to cope with (the likely too much stuff) that you’ve put on your plate. So what do you do? How do you deal with it? And how do you make sure that you’re giving your best to everything and everyone. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Be realistic – If you’ve taken on a crazy amount that just the thought of it seems overwhelming, then be realistic about what you can actually achieve in the role. For example, if you agreed to be room parent, remember to ask for help and when you’re planning parties, or other events, don’t go overboard. Do what you can and remember not everything needs to be Pinterest worthy.

2. Pause – If you’ve already taken on roles in the past, it’s pretty likely you will be approached throughout the year to take on more. Before you say yes, learn to pause, and say something like “Let me think about it and get back to you.” This allows you to step away and realistically decide to say yes or no.

3. Don’t forget yourself! – This one is the most important. I know we’ve all heard it before, but you truly can’t pour from an empty cup. So make sure you are taking care of yourself. This doesn’t mean just getting a manicure, exercising and eating well. It means truly listening to your body, your soul and your mind and learning what fills you. If it’s a love for learning, take up a new skill or take an online course. If it’s being social, make sure to pull out your calendar and make some plans. If it’s music, go see a live show! Remember, self-care isn’t about just going through the motions. It’s about not putting yourself last.