Back to School, Still Carrying It All: Starting the Year with Strength

If you’re feeling the weight of it all, the logistics, the uncertainty, the quiet exhaustion of carrying so much that others never see, you are absolutely not alone. So many parents are stepping into this school year with full hearts, tired minds, and the hope that this time will be different. This article is here to steady you. Not with perfection or pressure, but with clarity and care, so you can begin the school year grounded in what matters most for your child.

A sad person with green hair holds a backpack filled with papers labeled IEP and Teacher Emails. The background is beige.

The Invisible Backpack We Carry

There’s something about back-to-school season that feels both exciting and quietly exhausting for families of kids with disabilities. While other parents might be picking out lunchboxes or setting up carpools, you might be reviewing evaluations, rewriting teacher emails in your head, or wondering if this will be the year your child finally gets what they need.

Behind every school supply checklist is the hidden weight you carry: the time spent managing services, the hours navigating systems, and the mental energy it takes to advocate without burning out. That’s what we called out in our post, The Secret Costs of Special Education. Those costs aren’t just about money; they’re about capacity, clarity, and care.

You don’t have to do everything at once to be doing a great job. You don’t need a perfect system to start strong. A few intentional moves can help you stay centered and in control.

Three High-Leverage Ways to Start the School Year Strong

1. Ground Yourself in Your Child’s IEP, Not Just What It Says, But What It Means

Before the emails start flying or meetings get scheduled, take 20 minutes to quietly re-read your child’s IEP. Ask yourself: What stands out? What feels vague or out of date? What does my child really need help with this year?

If anything feels off or unclear, you don’t need to wait for a crisis. You can request a check-in with the team. Highlighter’s IEP decoder can also help break it down in plain language and flag concerns you might want to raise.

2. Draft One Thoughtful Letter to Your Child’s Teacher(s)

This doesn’t need to be long. Just one page that introduces your child—who they are, how they learn, and what helps them succeed. Teachers are more likely to get it right when they know what matters.

You can even attach a version of your child’s IEP-at-a-glance, or use Highlighter to generate one automatically. Proactive communication sets the tone and builds a connection before challenges arise.

3. Plan One Simple System to Track What Matters

No need for spreadsheets or color-coded calendars (unless that’s your thing). Just choose one place to jot down:

• When services are scheduled

• What concerns come up

• What’s said in meetings or emails

That way, if something feels off or if you need to advocate later, you’re not stuck digging through your inbox or relying on memory. Highlighter’s timeline and note tools are built for exactly this kind of quiet documentation.

You Are Not Just a Parent. You Are the Center of the System.

You should not have to hold everything together. But for now, while better systems and stronger supports are still being built, you do. That makes your role as both parent and advocate one of the most complex and courageous there is.

So as this new school year begins, don’t ask yourself if you’ve done enough. Ask instead: What one thing can I do today that will help me feel just a little more steady tomorrow?

We’re here for you when you need it. Whether it’s decoding a document, preparing for a meeting, or just finding your footing again, Highlighter was built to lighten the load.

Need help getting started? Use Highlighter.

• Use the IEP-At-A-Glance to review your child’s plan in plain English

• Generate a teacher letter with a simple prompt

• Track services and notes with your student timeline

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