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🎒 Surviving Back-to-School During a PCS With Kids

PCS season and back-to-school season often collide — and if you’re a military family with kids, you know that can mean double the stress. New schools, new teachers, new routines, and sometimes even new states or countries. It’s a lot. But with some planning (and a little grace for yourself and your kids), you can smooth the transition and even find moments to celebrate the fresh start.

1. Get Ahead on School Records

Before the movers even arrive, make sure you have copies of:

• Report cards & transcripts

• IEPs/504 plans, if applicable

• Immunization and medical records

• Emergency contact info

Keep these in a “school folder” that travels with you, not in the moving truck. That way, you can register your child quickly and answer any paperwork questions without digging through boxes.

2. Do a School Recon Mission

Once you know your duty station:

• Check the district or school website for supply lists and calendars.

• Call ahead to the school office for enrollment requirements.

• If possible, schedule a tour so your kids can see their new campus before the first day.

Even walking the playground together can ease first-day nerves.

3. Lean on Military & Community Resources

Most bases have a School Liaison Officer (SLO) who can help connect you with local schools, registration requirements, and support services. Don’t hesitate to reach out — they’ve walked countless families through the same process.

Spouse groups and neighborhood pages are also goldmines for finding out things like bus routes, after-school programs, or even which teacher loves having military kids in class.

4. Create Some Continuity at Home

PCS moves can make everything feel upside down. Try keeping certain routines consistent, even if the setting is new:

• Same bedtime routine (story, prayer, lights out).

• Familiar lunchbox snacks.

• Morning send-off ritual (a hug, a joke, or a “Go be awesome!” high five).

Those little anchors help kids feel secure when so much else is changing.

5. Talk About the Feelings

Your child might feel nervous, sad, or even angry about starting at a new school — especially if they’ve just said goodbye to old friends. Let them share openly, and reassure them it’s normal to feel that way. Share your own stories of starting fresh, too.

And remember: military kids are resilient, but they’re also human. They may need extra patience in those first weeks.

6. Celebrate the New Chapter

Find small ways to make the back-to-school PCS season feel special:

• A “first day of school” breakfast with pancakes in the shape of their grade number.

• A photo in front of your new house or base sign.

• A little note in their backpack that says, “You’ve got this. I’m proud of you.”

These moments remind your child that while change is hard, it can also be exciting.

Final Thought

PCS moves + back-to-school season can feel like too much at once. But you’ve done hard things before — and so have your kids. With some preparation, steady routines, and encouragement, your family can not only survive this season, but grow stronger because of it.

Remember: you’re not alone. Thousands of military families are unpacking boxes and buying school supplies right alongside you. You’ve got this. 💪✨

📦✏️ PCS Back-to-School Survival Kit

✔️ School Records Folder
Report cards, IEPs/504s, immunizations, birth certificate, emergency contacts — keep them in your hand-carry, not the moving truck.

✔️ Contact Info
Phone numbers for new school, base School Liaison Officer (SLO), pediatrician, dentist.

✔️ First-Day Supplies
Backpack, lunchbox, favorite water bottle, school supply list (download from new school website).

✔️ Comfort from Home
Special snack, small keychain, or encouraging note in their backpack.

✔️ Routine Anchors
Bedtime and morning rituals that stay the same no matter where you live.

✔️ Explore Together
Visit the school grounds, playground, or bus stop before the first day.

✔️ Patience & Grace
For yourself and your kids — transitions take time.

✨ Bonus Tip: Make the first week special — pancakes for breakfast, a “first day” photo, or a family pizza night after school. Little celebrations go a long way in making a new place feel like home.

PCS Checklist

🍴 Meal Prep Shortcuts for Busy School Days

1. Prep Breakfast the Night Before

• Overnight oats, yogurt parfaits in jars, or breakfast burritos you can freeze and reheat.

• Set the table with bowls/spoons before bed so mornings feel calmer.

2. Batch Lunch Assembly

• Wash, chop, and portion fruit/veggies into containers on Sunday.

• Make a “snack bin” in the fridge & pantry — kids can grab their own sides when packing lunches.

• Sandwiches: prep a few days at a time and freeze (PB&J freezes especially well).

3. Double-Duty Dinners

• Cook once, eat twice: make extra chicken, taco meat, or pasta to pack into lunchboxes the next day.

• Sheet pan meals (veggies + protein) = one pan, less cleanup.

4. Freezer is Your Friend

• Double recipes and freeze half (soups, casseroles, chili).

• Pre-portion smoothie bags (fruit + spinach) to blend on busy mornings.

5. Keep “Plan B” Meals Handy

• Breakfast-for-dinner (eggs & toast).

• Frozen veggies + rice + rotisserie chicken = instant stir-fry.

• Tortilla pizzas with pre-shredded cheese = 10-minute dinner.

6. Involve the Kids

• Older kids can pack part of their lunches from the snack bin.

• Let younger kids choose between two prepped options (apple slices or grapes).

7. Prep Once, Relax More

• Pick one prep night each week. Even 30 minutes of chopping, portioning, and planning makes mornings and evenings smoother.

✨ Military spouse tip: If you’re in PCS mode and don’t have a full kitchen yet, lean on small appliances (Instant Pot, slow cooker, or even just an air fryer) — they’ll save time and sanity until you’re settled.

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