Surviving (and Thriving) the Back-to-School Season

It’s September! For many of us, this means back to school and a long-awaited return to routine. Between overflowing backpacks, early mornings, and family calendars, there’s plenty to juggle. So, as we settle our chaos into a manageable rhythm, I’m pondering how we can survive—and even thrive— during the back-to-school season.

Begin With Sleep. It sounds cliché (and more easily said than done) but every good day begins with a good night. In the Hebrew Scriptures, a 24-hour day is described as beginning at night: And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Beginning our busy days by resting in God’s sovereignty is an act of worship, and a way to receive His gift of sleep. As packed full as the evenings so often become, try to set a time when everything stops, and adequate restful hours begin—for the kids and the adults!

Eat Meals Together. Have you ever wondered why your day was going so poorly, and then remembered you skipped breakfast or forgot to eat lunch? I’m always surprised how directly healthy food (or the lack thereof) impacts my experience of the day. How much more for growing children! Even though mornings are busy, carve out time to sit down to a healthy breakfast, together if possible. Even a few moments will provide stability and nourishment for body and soul.

Pray First. The other day, as we scurried around grabbing backpacks and shoes and lunches, my daughter said, “Could we pray together at the door, like we used to?” I confess I stopped in my tracks. Like we used to? Did we lose this important piece of routine somewhere along the way? Thinking back, I realized we had. It wasn’t difficult to spend two minutes huddled together in a group-hug, backpacks jostling, and lift each other up to God before we went our separate ways.

Make Friends With Your School. As my children have progressed through the years, I’ve experienced the blessing of building community through our school district. Now that the administration, teachers, and other parents and students feel like neighbors, every aspect of school feels more grounded into our family life. Take the time to get to know and encourage the kids and adults who interact with your children—and allow them to speak into your life, too.

Plan to Play. Kids who spend half the day in a classroom need time to stretch their legs and use their imaginations afterward. When at all possible, help them thrive by setting aside time for grade-school kids to play instead of doing homework or a structured activity. Even though screen time might feel like rest, they’ll benefit from imaginative time even more.

Remember Their Hearts. Each day is full of challenges: friends, teachers, school work, and recess are all areas where your kids might be thriving or barely surviving. Check in each day, and make sure they know you’re a safe place to process the highs and the lows.

What about you? How is back-to-school season settling for your family and club? We’d love to hear what works for you!