Preparing for a Peaceful Back-to-School Season
The school year always seems to sneak up on us, doesn’t it? One minute it's popsicles and park days, and the next we’re staring down supply lists and schedule shifts. But whether your children are homeschooled, go to traditional school, or you do a combination of the two, a little planning now can go a long way in setting your home, heart, and mind up for a more peaceful, purposeful return to the rhythm of the school year.
Here are a few things to consider as you look ahead:
1. Create a Landing Zone
Every child needs a clear place to hang their backpack and/or store their school essentials. Whether it’s a hook by the door or a cubby in the hallway, set the expectation now with consistent reminders so that putting things in their place becomes second nature. This is a simple way to avoid frustration and additional cleaning at the end of the day.
2. Gather Supplies and Tools
Start collecting school supplies. This does not necessarily mean buying all new items or even buying everything on a school supply list. Go through the supplies you already have with your children and just fill in the gaps when needed. Making this a fun activity with them where everyone works on organizing their homeschool bin/station or backpacks together can bring a lot of joy to this often dreaded task.
3. If You’re Changing Schools… Do Your Homework
Is your child starting at a new school this year? One great way to ease the transition is to find out what the other students read last year and read that book together before school starts. It’s a quiet way to help your child feel a little more “in the loop” when classes begin and can make for great conversations as a family.
5. Moms: Set the Tone
When we start the day off well, we change the way we look at our children and the tasks ahead. Regardless of the season, waking up 15-30 minutes before your children can give you the quiet head start you need to pray, think, make a cup of coffee, and gear up for the day ahead. As children adjust to the shift from the freedom of summer to the structure of school, your steady, grounded presence becomes even more important. A peaceful start from mom and dad sets the tone and helps create the sense of security kids need to thrive in the months ahead.
More advice on How to Have Successful School Mornings from the Messy Family Project.
4. Really Enjoy the Remainder of Summer
Don't let the anticipation or stress of the coming school year take away from the last few weeks of summer. Enjoy all the lazy days, time at the pool, and break from activities, and encourage your children to enjoy them too.
There’s no perfect way to start the school year, but a little intention now can help the whole family step into it with confidence, peace, and purpose.
Click for some more encouragement.
Embracing Your School Community Before the Year Begins
There are some really fun ways to get involved with your school community before school actually starts that help make this a season of excitement rather than anxiety. Here are some tips from Home Unlimited moms!
Host an "almost back-to-school" get together with your homeschool co-op or your children's classmates. This can be a really fun way to reconnect after a long summer apart and remind children that starting school also means more interaction with other families and friends.
Invite a new student and their family over for dinner. It can be really challenging for a new student to feel like they belong. Reaching out to a new family before school starts and encouraging your children to befriend them can bring so much peace to the student and their parents.
Click for some more back-to-school get together ideas.
Becoming a Member of Home Unlimited
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