School starts soon. Just that statement alone causes some anxiety, right?

The summer “reading list” can provide a challenge, especially for those in middle and high school. I remember trying to encourage (coaz, bribe) my kids to begin early in the summer and not cram all of the required reading in right before school starts. This is just one of the many things that can cause anxiety as families prepare for the upcoming school year.

Whether school aged or younger, I think it’s important for us as parents to model some calmness and confidence as we help our kids prepare for preschool or school. What we feel internally and project externally does affect our kiddoes. If I’m anxious and worried about the school year, it will show in my words and mood, and that can cause my kids to be anxious and worried about the school year too.

On the other hand, if I project confidence and intentionally choose positive words, I’m going to project confidence into my children. I can say things like, “I just have a feeling you’re going to rock it this year” or “I’ve heard great things about your teachers- you’re going to have such a fun year!” You can think of encouraging things to say to your child because you know them inside and out, and you love them more than anyone else.

As a mom and former teacher, here are some ideas (that I wish I had done myself) to project PEACEFULNESS as we prepare for the school year ahead:

• Consider letting the kids sleep late every day during that last week.
• Let the kids make a (reasonable) list of the last minute fun things they want to fit in before school starts.
• Try to complete the school shopping list as early as possible and TRY to make the shopping process as enjoyable as you can- deep breaths Mom :).
• Make reading time optional during that last week. If it’s relaxing and they want to read, great!- but we don’t want to force reading upon them during what can be a stressful time.
• Consider letting each child help you prepare their favorite meal during this last week. Make extra and freeze for a meal during the busy weeks after school starts.
• Read to them- find some humorous or inspiring stories that set a tone of accomplishment or confidence and cuddle up and read together. Even my 6th graders loved it when I read TO THEM.
• Pray for them, over them, and for yourself. Pray for the upcoming school year: pray for protection and safely, for friends who are good influences, for teachers who understand and are effective, and for personal wisdom as you parent and guide them this year.

As a mom and a middle school teacher, I felt anxiety within both roles. I wish I had done a better job of projecting calmness as the school year started. It’s so much clearer to me now from the “outside” and as a Nana. We can model calmness as parents, pray for the upcoming year, and project words of confidence into our children. The craziness will present itself and often will be out of our control. Let’s control what we can- our own mood and words, and let’s help our kids begin this next school year, covered in love and encouragement.

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