Can you believe summer break is almost over? I have been trying to soak in every last bit! My baby girl is starting high school and my oldest will be a SENIOR! Where did the time go?

No matter what grade your kids are going into, making the transition to a new school year can be tough. The anxiety of something new can be a lot for some children. Here are things we can do to help before school starts.

• Praying with them every night starting now leading up to the first day. Pray for their teachers and for their friends. Thank God for being with us wherever we go. They will hopefully cling to that prayer when they are at school. 
• Try to find someone that might be in their class this year. Plan a playdate this week. (Maybe their teacher can help). For older kids, a day of fun! Having a familiar face when school starts will help.
• Get them used to a bedtime routine now before school starts. There will be a lot of change in the coming weeks. Getting them accustomed to a good night’s sleep will be helpful for everyone.
• Plan regular emotional check ups with them! For some kids, it’s tough to even explain that they are feeling anxious. Ask questions and give them a safe place to answer. Some kids have a tougher time the second or third week so keep checking in! 

As for us, the new school year comes with an array of emotions! Getting everything done is stressful! Take a deep breath! You aren’t alone in this journey. Many of us are scrambling this time of year.

• Get your lists together and prioritize what’s most important.
• Talk to others who have kids in the same school (or are also homeschooling) and are going through the same thing. Help each other!
• Try to attend the orientations. It may help you feel more prepared and hopefully you can make a friend there too. 
• Stay connected to others during the school year. (This one is hard for me.) It really does make a difference when things get stressful later. 
• Create new healthy habits for yourself with the start of the new school year. Going to bed earlier, starting a new devotion, exercising more, etc. 
• Most importantly, don’t miss this moment in time because of stress! Have fun with your kids. Be intentional in how you spend your time. Put the phones away. You will never regret the moments you took to play games, go for walks, listen to them talk, or just being together. 

Every school year looks different, but we can trust that God is the same. He is in control! Let’s start this school year bringing our fears, stress, and anxieties to Him!

I’m in this with you! The Z will be here for your family on the way to school, while the kids are in school, on their way home, and even while they are trying to fall asleep at night, with encouraging music and reminders that God is for you!

I love you and am praying for you too! – Tyler