By Dionna Sanchez

It’s always hard to believe that we have raced through our summer so swiftly and it’s time to get in gear and focus on school resuming.  Whether your children go to a public, private, or home school, celebrating this time in their life can do a lot to affect their attitude about learning.

We can implement special traditions each year to initiate the beginning of another school year in our child’s life.  And whatever traditions you decide fit your families’ personality, time schedule, and goal for life, remember that these moments are hallmarking your child’s life as they grow up and become the individual that God created them to be.  Help them see the blessings and excitement that can come with receiving an education – and show them how much you value who they are as people.

Some ideas to help guide you in celebrating the return of school are:

• Have a special shopping day with your children to buy school supplies or a special “first day of school” outfit.

• Get up early enough on the first day of school to go out to a special breakfast with your child before school begins or buy donuts or muffins as a fun way to send them off to school that first morning.

• Take their photo on the first day of school.

• Take time to pray together the night before school starts as your children go to bed or make sure you leave a few extra minutes in the morning to sit quietly with them and say a prayer before they start school.

• Pack a special note, or surprise, in your child’s lunch. If you home school, think about letting your children still have a lunchbox and eat in a “special” area so that they can truly feel that the school “setting” is different than the normal everyday “home” setting.

• Have a special dinner on the first day of school and allow each child to share their feelings about the upcoming school year – who they have in their class, their teacher, the assignments they will be facing, etc. If you home school, maybe encourage your children to set some goals for themselves for the upcoming year and possibly motivate them to look into a field trip or two that they would like to take.

• If you have a child who gets especially nervous or jittery on the first day of school – walk them into their classroom. If you have a teen, find a way to allow them to walk into school with a good pal or friend who can help boost their confidence and help them relax.

• Leave a special gift at the breakfast table for each child.  Whether it’s new markers, a fun eraser, a locker mirror, or a backpack charm, try to make the gift something that they can use during the school year.

Remember how you felt as you began each new school year. Use that to help you get into your child’s head and world a little bit, taking into consideration their different personality and demeanor.  Love and gentleness go miles in bridging communication gaps!

Take the time to show your children you are always there for them – to listen to their joys, excitement, and to hear their fears.