Back to School!
Depending on where you are and what's going on in your part of the world your kids are probably back to some sort of school - in person, online, homeschool, or some weird mix. For some, this may be super exciting and for others, it may be super stressful. For us, we live somewhere in the middle of those two realities.
Over the summer we moved to the beautiful little city of St. Albert Alberta - we arrived in July, settled into our home in August and started our kids back to school later that month. We, like most of you, have been living in this weird world of COVID since March so it was a welcomed joy to get back to some sort of routine.
However, there's a whole lot of anxiety too right? Although I totally know that COVID is real and harmful I also live in the reality that there is a TON of misinformation out there and we are following leaders who are trying their best to shift through these unknowns and create a plan. Do I agree with everything they have asked of me and my kids? Nope. Will I do the majority of it? probably. Will I push back against some of it? Also probably. So, sending my kids to brand new schools in a brand new province in this brand new unknown after being with them all day every day for 6 months has not been great.
I miss them, I question my decisions, I question school decisions, I question the safety and a pray that my boys encounter real loving teachers who will try their hardest and continue to love what they do.
So, how to manage this weird and unusually back to school anxiety has been an important thing for me because I never want my kids to feel any type of anxiety because of me. What do I do when I am anxious? Two things;
- Pray, pray, try and solve it myself and then realize I can't to I pray some more.
Because there is absolutely nothing I can do to survive this life on my own without the grace and love and healing of Jesus. I do not have to hustle to prove something that God already tells me - I am Worthy.
2. Rhythms, rhythms and rhythms!
When you know the above to the depth of your soul you also know that there is still work to be done - praying is important. Praying must happen but prayer without action can not always be our best course of action.
So, set yourself up for success. Get into rhythms. Remember the things that matter and let the rest go.
Here are a few of our daily rhythms that really help us center on what matters before sending the boys out to school.
- Early rise.
There is nothing i hate more than being rushed and, if your kids get put words to their feelings, they probably hate it too. I hate having to yell at my kids to get your shoes on and get going. Those slow and simple COVID mornings are something I am not willing to give back so - early rise for everyone means more time for the things that matter and a whole less "we're going to be late!"
2. Morning routine.
Whether we realize it or not, most of us have a morning routine. Sometimes that routine is snoozing the alarm 18 times and then rushing everyone out the door. For us, morning routine means mom gets up way earlier then she ever wanted to in order to get her God time, workout time and breakfast ready for everyone who gets up and hour or so later. Giving your kids the exact same thing every morning is not boring, it's comforting - our boys get up, chill in their Pjs for a bit, have breakfast, get dressed, have time to get out the door and are way more balanced for the day.
3. Table time
The table is probably the most important spot in our house. It's a time to nourish ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Every morning we sit around the table, have breakfast, pray together, say our breakfast benediction, learn something from the Bible and fill ourselves with God. Table Discipleship is a thing and it's a very important thing.
4. Prep the night before
Lay everything out the night before, prepare everything so well that it makes the mornings even easier. Meal plan breakfast, pre pack lunches, know what everyone is wearing, back backpacks, do whatever it takes so that you can easily place your hands on everything you need in minutes so the morning is filled with the things that matter - God and family.
5. Encourage throughout the day
God and family time is not something to check off the list. It's something to incorporate all throughout the day. Maybe you or your spouse of your kids are really feeling the anxiousness that everyone is putting out there these days. Everyone has a right to their opinion but no one can steal your peace and joy that God gives. Encourage and stay connected to each other and God all day long. There's a few different ways to do this - one is these sweet little lunchbox notes that reminder your littles who they are and what kind of power they have to help others.
Click here to download the free pdf
Ultimately, the best thing we can do during this super anxious season is to take a deep breathe then be still and know, with our whole beings, that He is God and that with Him and work on our part we can lead our families through to be even better Jesus followers then before.
Wishing you lots of peace and a calm mind.