Ah, the infectious excitement of the back-to-school season! The joy of fresh notebooks, the anticipation of reuniting with friends, and the whirlwind preparations—it’s all so exhilarating. But amidst the thrill, as parents, we often ride our own roller coaster of emotions, ranging from glee to nerve-wracking anxiety about not meeting the school’s expectations.

Being a Bizzimumzi, the hustle and bustle are doubled. Juggling between work, home, and school events, I genuinely strive to make it to every scheduled event, meeting, and function. Adiya, my little babe, is my driving force behind this perpetual motion. The last thing I ever want is to let her down.

Yet, life, with its unpredictable nature, sometimes intervenes. There are days when I miss an essential meeting or when Adiya walks out with the wrong hat for her field trip. Or days when I realize halfway through the afternoon that she wore the wrong uniform—oops! But isn’t that what life is all about? The little hiccups that remind us of our humanness and the shared struggles of parenthood.

One saving grace is Adiya’s love for school. At just 3, her enthusiasm makes mornings a breeze (well, as breezy as mornings with a toddler can be!). Her sparkling eyes and eager nature each morning fill me with hope. A hope that this zeal for learning stays with her for years to come.

I guess what I’m aiming at is a little note of encouragement for all parents out there. Yes, we’re all thrilled that our little ones are back in school and into a structured routine. But amidst this, let’s not forget to pat ourselves on the back. Let’s celebrate the Bizzimumzi’s and Dadzi’s making it work against all odds. So here’s to the forgotten hats, the missed meetings, and the occasional wrong uniforms! But also, to the homework battles conquered, to every teacher meeting attended (or missed but made up for), and the myriad of school projects that we’ll dive into.

To every parent navigating the maze of a new academic year—with new schedules, shifting routines, and a rainbow of shirt colours—here’s your well-deserved high-five! Because while life happens, we all give it our best shot, every single day.

Let’s cheer each other on because every little triumph deserves recognition. So, high-fives all around!

Ashley is a mom, founder of the Bizzimumzi podcast, and Define London fitness studio. She is a former Broadway performer and celebrity trainer. Through Bizzimumzi Ashley has created a welcoming community to share the highs and lows of parenting, and inspire others to feel empowered in their journey. Ashely believes the most perfect picture of parenting is simply when you are trying your best. Bizzimumzi is a safe space that helps parents to inspire, educate and support each other to be the best parent they can be.