Back to School Stress: When Parents Struggle, Kids Do Too
Every parent knows the back-to-school season can be overwhelming. This time of year brings new schedules, homework, sports, and social activities, putting pressure on both kids and their parents. For many families we support, this time of year creates not only excitement but also high levels of stress.
At Parents Helping Parents (PHP), we see this stress first-hand through calls to the Parent Stress Line. Last year, more than 9,000 calls came in from parents and caregivers looking for support. When we studied those calls, one trend became very clear: the back-to-school season is one of the most difficult times of the year for our callers.
In September, calls rose sharply compared to the summer months. By October, call volume reached its highest point of the year, about 40% above the monthly average. That means nearly one in seven calls came in during October alone. After that, call volume eased and stabilized, showing that this seasonal pattern directly ties to the stress of school transitions.
Why is back-to-school so tough on parents?
The start of a new school year often brings busy schedules, providing emotional support, covering costs for supplies and activities, and adjusting to the new demands on family life. For single parents, families living on tight budgets, or those raising children with special needs, the stress is even greater.
This pressure on parents has a ripple effect. Recent research published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that maternal mental health has declined sharply over the past eight years. When parents struggle, children feel it too. Stress at home can make it harder for kids to focus at school, impact their emotional well-being, and strain family relationships.
At PHP, we believe supporting parents is one of the best ways to support children. The Parent Stress Line is available around the clock. It gives parents someone to talk to in the moment when they feel overwhelmed Our free, peer-led support groups offer another safe space to share challenges and connect with others who understand. These groups bring parents together either by shared challenges, like raising a teen with special needs, or by common experiences, like parenting preschoolers. Last year alone, thousands of parents turned to PHP, and in doing so, we helped create more stable, supportive environments for over 15,000 children.
When parents feel supported, children benefit too.
Still, our callers and support group participants represent only a fraction of the parents and caregivers who could use this kind of help. Imagine the number of parents who never pick up the phone, either because they don’t know this resource exists or because they feel they have to carry the burden alone. The back-to-school surge in calls makes one thing clear: parents are looking for help, and when they know support is available, they reach out.
This is why awareness is so important. Parents should know they are not alone, and that free, confidential support is here for them whenever they need it. Families are stronger, healthier, and more able to handle the challenges of the school year.
Back to school is a season of opportunity, but it is also a season of stress. The data shows how much parents struggle in these months, and it underscores the vital role PHP plays in providing relief. The Parent Stress Line and support groups are lifelines that help families weather the hardest moments.
When parents struggle, kids do too. But when parents find support, kids have the chance to thrive.
