It’s that time again.
The backpacks are being dusted off, lunchboxes are reappearing on kitchen counters, and school supply lists are stretching longer than my grocery receipts. (Seriously, do glue sticks multiply every year?) Whether you’re sending off littles to kindergarten, navigating middle school hormones, or prepping teens for early college classes—this season is always a mix of emotions.
If your house is anything like mine, August means earlier bedtimes, more structure, and more laundry. It means standing in the Target aisle debating whether the fancy mechanical pencils are worth the extra $2, and trying to keep a straight face when your child insists they “need” highlighters in six different shades of pastel.
But more than anything, back to school is a reset. A fresh start. And like most resets, it’s an invitation—a gentle one—to realign our homes and our hearts.
The Truth Behind the Curtain
Let me be honest: I’m not a Pinterest-perfect mom. I don’t have color-coded calendars or monogrammed bento boxes. On some mornings, it’s truly miraculous if the socks match. But I’ve learned that back-to-school doesn’t have to be about perfection.
It’s about showing up.
It’s about the small things—packing a note in their lunchbox, praying over them before they leave, asking how their day was when they walk through the door.
And it’s about remembering that while we’re trying to prepare our children for the world, God is preparing us for something too.
A Few Things I’m Holding Onto This Year:
- Grace over guilt. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do what matters.
- Routines are tools, not chains. Let them serve you, not stress you.
- Jesus cares about the little things. Even the science fair projects and forgotten permission slips.
- This season will pass. And one day, we’ll miss the mess.
A Prayer for the School Year
Lord, bless our children as they step into this new year. Give them courage when things are hard, joy in the little moments, and kindness that overflows. Help us as parents to lead with love, patience, and wisdom—fueled by Your grace, not our own strength. Amen.
So here’s to the early mornings, the carpool chaos, and the joy of watching our kids grow—one school year at a time.
With love and maybe a little extra caffeine,
