The Sorted Dad

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the last few weeks of the school year are pure chaos. One minute you’re signing a permission slip, the next you’re panic-buying a teacher gift, digging out a forgotten costume, and trying to keep up with sports days, cake sales, and kids who are already in holiday mode.

If you’re feeling the end-of-term overwhelm, you’re not alone. This is survival mode for most parents — so here are 10 realistic, sanity-saving hacks to help you get through it with your brain and bank balance intact.

1. 

Create a “Final Weeks” Family Calendar

Grab a whiteboard, printout, or shared app and start plotting everything: school events, PE days, non-uniform days, pickups, and packed lunch days. Stick it somewhere everyone can see.

🎯 Pro tip: Include emotional cues for your kids — like “sports day = bring water bottle + hat” — to help them feel more in control too.

🟡 Feeling the mental load? Read: The Hidden Cost of Parenting No One Warns You About

2. 

Set Up an End-of-Term Kit by the Door

Think of it as your grab-and-go sanity station:

• Suncream
• Hat
• Extra water bottle
• £1 coins (for random donation days)
• Plasters (sports day injuries incoming)

Keep it by the door to save your future self from the daily scramble.

3. 

Automate the Teacher Gift Situation

Avoid last-minute stress:

• Order a group gift online (vouchers work well)
• Or grab a multi-pack of nice candles or chocolates now
• Let your child write the card early

🎯 Shortcut: Set a calendar reminder for next year in June — you’ll thank yourself.

🟡 Money stress creeping in? Try: How I Cut My Monthly Family Food Bill by £150

4. 

Batch Lunches or Go Low-Effort

Lunchbox fatigue is real. In the final weeks, give yourself a break:

• Batch sandwiches and freeze them
• Use snackable bits like cheese, crackers, cucumber
• Or go “DIY lunchbox” — kids assemble at school, you do less at home

🟡 Related read: 25 Brutally Honest Parenting Hacks That Actually Work

5. 

Declutter the School Bag Weekly (Or Daily…)

Expect a chaotic influx: scribbled art, junk modelling, random socks, crushed crackers, and half-torn letters from school. Don’t wait until the last day.

🎯 Hack: Keep a box or folder labelled “keep for later” for any sentimental bits you might want to sort once your brain recovers.

6. 

Pre-Pack Uniforms & Label Everything

By this point in the year, socks vanish like magic. Get ahead by washing and packing “last leg” uniforms for the final stretch.

🎯 Quick win: Order any replacement bits now — don’t wait until the back-to-school rush in August.

7. 

Plan Some “Lazy” Dinners in Advance

The days are long, and the evenings are chaos. This is the perfect time for:

• Freezer meals
• Wrap night
• Pasta with pre-made sauce
• Even cereal as dinner (we won’t judge)

🟡 Low-effort meal inspo: 10 Realistic Fitness Wins for Tired Parents includes food hacks that work when you’re wiped.

8. 

Avoid the Holiday Creep (Just Yet)

Your child is already dreaming of paddling pools and ice cream. Totally fine. But if you’re not careful, you’ll end up with chaos at both ends of term.

🎯 Hack: Keep routines in place (bedtime, screen time limits) so the transition into summer doesn’t wreck everyone’s energy levels.

🟡 Planning a break? Read: How to Survive a Family Holiday Without Losing Your Mind

9. 

Let Go of Perfect Parenting

Missed a costume day? Forgot the reading book? Didn’t RSVP to the end-of-year picnic? Same here. You’re human. And this season is deliberately overwhelming.

🎯 Give yourself permission to be “good enough” — your kids will remember love and support, not that one skipped bake sale.

🟡 Feeling that pressure? Try: Mindset Shifts Every Dad Needs to Make to Stay Sane

10. 

Book Your Post-Term Break Now — Even a Tiny One

When the bell rings on the last day of term, you deserve a win. Whether that’s a night away, a curry in front of the telly, or one full hour without anyone shouting “Dad!”, lock it in now.

🎯 Self-care doesn’t need to be expensive — it just needs to be protected.

Final Thought: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

If you’re here, googling how to survive the end of term — you’re already a brilliant parent. You care. You’re trying. You’re managing 400 micro-tasks a day and still packing snacks. That’s no small feat.

So take a breath, lower the bar, and lean into the chaos. School’s almost out — and you’re almost through.