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EMBRACING FAMILY
Are anxieties increasing in your house? Are you feeling stressed about the big day? Do you feel ready and prepared?
Well, it’s time to get ready because the new school year is rapidly approaching. Some kids are excited, some are anxious, and some have mixed feelings. Regardless of how they are feeling, preparing in advance is one of the best ways to help set them up for a successful school year.
There are many ways you can help them prepare. Involve your child in this process. Allow them to be “in charge” as much as possible. Ask for their opinions and thoughts. Empower them so that they are actively preparing in age-appropriate ways.
Listen to them patiently, hearing their excitement and their concerns.
Focus on the positive! Have your kids think about making friends, learning new things, and participating in a fall sport or activity.
Do not dwell on the negatives, like the fact that ae fun summer is ending, they’ll have to wake up earlier, or homework will be harder. This won’t help them approach the year with excitement!
Next, start preparing schedules and establishing routines. Try and transition into “school mode” two weeks before the big day.
This includes figuring out school year bedtime and wake-up time up time. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 10-13 hours of sleep for kids under five, 9-12 hours of sleep for 6-12-year-olds, and 8-12 hours of sleep for those over 13.
Encourage your child to figure out an appropriate bed and wake-up time based on these numbers and allow them to set their own alarm clocks.
Have your kids make a list of lunches and snacks that’ll fuel their bodies for the day. By helping pick the menu, they’re more likely to eat what’s packed. Kids can pick their breakfast for the next day on the night prior and also go over their school drop-off and pick-up arrangements, maybe even with a trial run.
Many schools have an orientation day where your children can visit their new classrooms and drop off school supplies. Greet administration and teachers during your visit and consider having your child make or draw something wishing them a happy new school year.
If you know someone in your child’s class, arrange a playdate before school starts so they’ll have a familiar face on the first day. You could also check with your child’s teacher on if you and your child could help with any classroom set-up ahead of the first day.
Prepare school supplies. Try to reuse last year’s supplies or buy secondhand ones and gently used clothes. You’ll help your budget and the environment. and buy secondhand school supplies and clothes. Don’t forget that there are many school supply drives you can donate to including through Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and Rotary Clubs.
Help your child create and organize a space at home where they will study and do homework. Have them get their backpacks ready.
Pray with them and for them about the new school year. Pray for friends, teachers, and administrators, for all the new things they will learn, for any concerns your child may have.
The goal is to be proactive in planning for the big day and not reactive when the child feels overwhelmed by new and possibly challenging situations for which they were not prepared.
Rather than bemoan the passing of summer bliss, how about if you and your family have a new school year celebration?
Here is a suggested prayer.
Lord, we entrust this new school year to you. We pray that our children will enjoy learning new skills. Lord, prepare them for whatever their future holds. Protect them from harm. We pray that they will have a positive outlook and will work hard. We pray that they will show respect and kindness to others. Please give our family peace during this school year. Help us celebrate knowledge gained and skills mastered, as well as the “learning opportunities” that come when struggles are encountered. Thank you, Lord, for loving, protecting, and guiding our children. We entrust them to you!
Here is some feedback from a reader in response to the Q&A from “Real fathers raise men and women, not children.”
“I have never thought about fatherhood from this perspective. I’m not supposed to be raising a child. I’m supposed to be raising an adult. Well, my kid is 12, but I guess it’s not too late to shift my focus. We still have several years where we can help her become an adult, ready to navigate life on her own. I have some work to do to help change my perspective. Thank you for making me stop, think, and re-evaluate my role as a father.”
Questions? Please email Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com. We would be honored to lift you up in prayer and respond, as well!
