Mum Hacks and Sanity Savers to kick-off Term 3
Smooth Sailing into Term 3: Routines, Lunchbox Wins & Sanity Savers
Because the juggle is real, the fridge is empty, and the kids’ screen time may have entered another dimension.
Winter holidays: the time when structure takes a nosedive, PJs become daywear, and you vaguely forget what day it is. Now, like clockwork (or a glitchy school app), Term 3 is knocking — bringing back uniforms, lunchboxes, after-school logistics and that elusive thing we call “routine”.
Whether you’re returning to drop-off duties with military precision or still wiping toast crumbs off the couch at 10am, here are our go-to strategies (aka mum hacks) to get things humming again — with less shouting, more snacks, and a bit of zen.
1. Reset the Routine (Gently, Please)
Let’s be honest: no one’s leaping out of bed like a Lululemon ad in Week 1. That’s OK.
Ease into it.
Try bringing back earlier bedtimes a few days before school starts — even 15 minutes earlier per night helps. Rebuild the morning rhythm by laying out uniforms the night before, packing bags (yes, even those library books), and getting the kids to take ownership of one small task — shoes, lunchbox, or just finding their water bottle.
Use a visual planner
Kids (and tired mums) love knowing what’s coming. A whiteboard or even a paper chart on the fridge helps everyone see what’s on for the week — school, sport, dinners, deadlines, you name it. Bonus points for stickers.
Build in buffer time.
Those first couple of weeks can feel like moving through syrup. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes in the morning and factor in time to find the hat that’s gone missing again.
2. Screen Time Reset Without the War
Holiday screens can sneak into every corner of life — and wrestling them back can feel like a hostage negotiation. Don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Shift the narrative.
Instead of going full cold turkey, talk about how the family is “making room” for other things now that school is back. Homework, books, playing outside — even if it’s cold, the dog needs a walk.
Set fresh boundaries.
Create Term 3 rules that work for your family. For some, that’s “no screens before school” or “30 minutes after homework”. For others, it’s choosing ‘screen-free nights’ during the week and saving movie nights for the weekend. Whatever you choose — write it down, stick it somewhere visible, and involve the kids in setting it.
Pro tip: Use the tech to beat the tech.
Parental controls like Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link can be lifesavers. Schedule downtime, block certain apps during homework, or just track usage for your own sanity check.
3. Lunchbox Wins That Don’t Involve Cutting Stars Out of Cucumbers
We’re all for creativity — but most of us are just trying to get something edible in there before the 8:30am dash.
Go for real over Pinterest.
Inner West mums told us their realistic staples include:
- Leftover pasta with a drizzle of olive oil
- Vegemite and cheese scrolls (store-bought or frozen homemade)
- Cut-up carrots and hummus in a reusable pouch
- Boiled eggs, bliss balls, popcorn or mini muffins
- Rice cakes with avo or tuna
Make it a Monday Meal Prep Moment.
Batch-prep snacks on Sunday night (or Monday morning if you’re that kind of human). Use bento-style containers to make everything look more exciting than it is. And yes, it’s fine to repeat meals. You’re not running a café.
Don’t forget the thermos.
A good-quality kids’ thermos is a winter game changer — think fried rice, dahl, soup, or even baked beans. Warm, comforting and zero effort if you make extra dinner the night before.
4. Bonus Sanity Savers (Because You Deserve a Gold Star Too)
Start Term 3 with a “mum playdate.”
Coffee with another school mum isn’t just social — it’s strategy. Swap hacks, coordinate lifts, vent about readers and maths homework. The solidarity is real.
Reclaim one small thing for yourself.
Book a haircut, sign up for that yoga class, take a solo walk with a podcast. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, it’s yours.
Keep it in perspective.
Some days you’ll forget the lunchbox. Some mornings will end in tears. It’s OK. You’re showing up, you’re doing your best, and Term 3 will settle into its own rhythm soon enough.
Do you have a school term hack that’s helped keep your sanity? Drop us a note below or email us at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au
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