Many students are returning (or already have returned) to school this month and sometimes in the transition things can become chaotic. I cannot count the times that summer seems to vanish without warning and the next thing I know, it's time for school again. I know I certainly do not enjoy being stressed out when I can prevent it. In my experience there are three things that help make this back-to-school transition for our family run smoothly year after year.
3 Tips For a Smooth Back-to-School Transition
- Lay out clear goals with deadlines throughout the summer. I have found that getting things done a little at a time gives me the freedom to stress less and enjoy summer more. If you are able to get your child's supply list at the end of the year, then do so. If you are able to schedule doctor and dentist appointments staggered throughout the summer, then do it. When I map out my goals - writing them down - it helps give me a tangible way to see them coming to pass. And this, my friends, gives me great peace.
- Make the time to pray over your back-to-school goals. This is an important step. All too often we can find ourselves caught in the "busy" of life managing to get to our appointments and cross off things on our to-do list leaving God out of the equation. I know I've been guilty of this very thing. I also know that when I do things in my own strength, I have no peace and tend to be grumpy to those I love the most. Praying over my goals has allowed me to hand over all the stress of day-to-day life back into God's hands giving me the peace and strength to move on and show my family more grace. It's a win-win for everyone.
- Talk to your children about your expectations for them in making the transition. This always helps our children when they understand what is expected of them. It gives them the opportunity to work through things in their heart and minds giving them time to formulate questions or concerns. Because our family is military, we move often and this can cause a different type of anxiety in each child. We have discovered that when our family is able to communicate both our excitement and concerns for the upcoming school year that we thrive during the transition. This makes for a fun back-to-school season!
When we set clear-cut expectations and transitional goals for our family, praying over them, we find that we have less stress and more fun every summer. It's important to recognize that our children find comfort in this process as we settle into a new routine every fall. I am thankful for a loving and merciful God that guides us through life giving us the wisdom we need to life a peaceful, Christ-filled life.
Does your family have any routines to cut out the chaos and replace it with God's peace? If so, I'd love to hear about it!
Carlie @ Managing Your Blessings
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