Soft Start September: Easing Back Into Routines Without Burning Out
Share
September sneaks up every year like that first whiff of pumpkin spice in the air…
or in my case, green apple everything. 🍏 (If Starbucks ever gets on board, call me.) Even if you’re not in school anymore, September still feels like a reset button: new planners, fresh notebooks, seasonal drinks you don’t actually finish.
But as a parent with ADHD, that “new season” energy comes with an extra layer of back-to-school frenzy. Kids are shifting back into school mode, the calendar suddenly fills up, and my brain decides it’s the perfect time to reinvent my entire life before October 1st. Spoiler: that doesn’t end well.
This year, instead of crashing and burning by week two, I’m choosing something different: a Soft Start September.
The Myth of the Perfect Reset
September brings back-to-school vibes whether you’ve got kids or not. But when you do have kids, the urge to start fresh often collides with the reality of school supplies, sports sign-ups, and remembering who needs lunch money on which day.
My ADHD brain looks at this overload and thinks: “Let’s fix everything at once! Meal prep, wake up at 5 AM, organize the closets, and master Google Calendar in one week.”
And sure, that energy feels amazing for a hot second — until I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and back to pizza dinners by day four.
What a Soft Start Really Means
A Soft Start September is about easing in, not overhauling everything at once. As a parent, I’ve realized it’s less about perfect schedules and more about survivable ones.
-
One new habit, not twelve.
- One family routine tweak, not a complete overhaul.
One cozy hoodie or flannel (with jeans or leggings and a solid pair of sneakers) that makes mornings bearable. Honestly, nothing feels more sensory-comfortable than that combo when you’re just trying to get everyone out the door during the morning scramble.
ADHD-Friendly Mini Habits for Parents
Here are five tiny, parent-friendly habits that don’t require superhuman energy:
-
Two-Minute Tidy
Pick one small zone daily — the front hall that collects backpacks, the kitchen counter, or even just the car floor.
-
Water Before Coffee
You’re still going to need the coffee (obviously). But the water first gives your body a jump start before the school run.
-
Sunday Soft Plan
Instead of scheduling the whole week (which never survives Monday), just pick two priorities for the family. Everything else is a bonus.
-
Anchor Habits
Tie habits together. Example: when I pack my kid’s lunch, I also throw a snack in my bag. When I remind them about homework, I set out my own to-do list.
-
Digital Reset Lite
Ten minutes of email catch-up while waiting at pick-up beats an “Inbox Zero” fantasy you’ll never reach.
Let September Be Messy
Here’s the secret: September will never be perfect. Back-to-school bedlam plus ADHD brain equals unpredictability. And that’s fine.
It’s not about making every morning look like a Pinterest routine. It’s about getting through the month without burning out by Thanksgiving. If a routine falls apart, restart. If something feels heavy, drop it. Soft starts allow for second (and third) tries.
Quick “Soft Start” Checklist for Parents
|
Soft Start Habit |
Why It Works |
Try This Week |
|
2-Minute Tidy |
Keeps kid clutter in check |
Entryway/backpack zone |
|
Drink Water First |
Boosts energy & patience |
Bedside glass trick |
|
Sunday Soft Plan |
Lowers overwhelm |
2 family priorities |
|
Anchor Habit |
Less to remember |
Lunch prep + parent snack |
|
Digital Reset Lite |
Small progress counts |
10 min email sweep |
A Gentle High-Five
So here’s to September. May it feel less like sprinting into the frenzy and more like sliding into your favorite hoodie. May your sneakers be comfy, your coffee strong, and your routines flexible enough to survive real life with kids.