The last kids in the country are back at school by this point, including the Northeasterners who still go back the Tuesday after Labor Day. And it’s time for all of us to admit it: the second week is pure misery!!!

Sarah Aswell captures it nicely: “I am running full-speed down my street in nothing but my nightgown and slippers, my breasts flailing around like two warring tether balls. I turn and yell ‘Run faster!’ at my daughter, who is openly weeping at my side. This is not a scene from an apocalyptic nightmare. This is just the second week of school.” Let’s talk about why, shall we?

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

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We know you Scary Mommy readers love Trader Joe’s. And the editors are shopping there, as well! So today we’re rounding up what we’re buying this fall — seasonal stuff, sure, but also our favorite staples. I personally recommend the vanilla skyr that I load my basket up with every time!