Back to School: Easing Anxiety for Both You and Your Child

Going back to school can be a fun time for many kids, but it can also be stressful. Adjusting to a new schedule and preparing for the school year, along with a new teacher and classroom, can be overwhelming for the entire family, especially when kids are younger. Parents might also be worried about paying for all the supplies and getting everyone ready in the morning.

Back to school tips

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Back to School: Easing Anxiety
for Both You and Your Child

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a stressful undertaking. Getting organized before school starts will go a long way toward getting your family ready for the new school year, so it’s important to start gathering supplies, work out a routine for everyone, and think about what will make your life easier in the mornings as soon as possible. This might include creating a space for your children to keep their backpacks and shoes, laying out clothing the night before, and preparing lunches ahead of time.  Keep reading to find out how you can ease anxiety on the first day of school and beyond for everyone in the household.

Prepare

Getting organized is a major key to ensuring everyone has a great school year. From creating a quiet, distraction-free place where kids can do their homework to set up a spot to lay out the next day’s outfit, backpack, and shoes, preparing ahead of time will give you peace of mind and make the mornings go much more smoothly for the entire family. Enlist your children to help prepare. When it’s a team effort, it’s a habit that’s likely to stick.

With all that extra preparation, it could even lead to a smoother morning.

Start the Mornings Right

Mornings can be tough on everyone when school starts, but if you have a plan for breakfast and get the household on a good routine, things will be much easier. Waking up early may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but it will allow your kids to have enough time to eat breakfast and get ready without having to rush. You can also prepare a breakfast casserole or make ham and egg biscuits the night before to ensure everyone has protein to start the day off right.

Get a Good Deal

Buying school supplies can be a massive undertaking, especially if you have more than one child. The shopping bill will add up as you pile notebooks, crayons, markers, and backpacks into the cart, but if you plan ahead, you can save a lot of money. By buying in bulk, downloading store apps that will save money on certain purchases, and looking for online deals, cashback opportunities, and coupons, you can ensure that back-to-school shopping is stress-free.

Of course, one of the most difficult expenditures is the computer. At some point, older children will need their own computer to facilitate studying and required papers. If your child needs a new computer this year, do yourself a favor and check out reviews to find the best kid-friendly laptop. It also helps to determine all the ways your child will use the computer, which can inform your decisions on software, security programs, and necessary features.

Create an Area for Homework

It can’t be said enough: Giving your kids a distraction-free zone to do their homework will help prevent anxiety and allow them to focus on the job at hand. Separate the workspace from any play areas and make sure there is adequate lighting and a comfy spot to sit in; this will ensure your little ones can get their work done on time without unnecessary stress.

Getting everyone ready for a new school year will take some time and patience, but with a good plan and a little preparation from all involved, you and your family can reduce stress and anxiety and simply enjoy the process. Get your family on a good routine — including a set bedtime — so that everyone will get enough rest. This is critical for young people and will help them focus and perform better in school and beyond.

7 Ways to Prepare Your Teen to Move Out

7 Ways to Prepare Your Teen to Move Out. ConnieAlbers.com

There comes a time when your teen grows up and moves out. They might be leaving for college, to live with some friends, to get married, or to learn how to manage life on their own. Regardless of the reason parents can strengthen the relationship by preparing them for that day during the teen years.

At a recent speaking engagement I was asked what we did to prepare our teens for life on their own. I had to think about that for a few minutes. I began by reminding the parents that moving out is a normal part of the growing up process. It might be difficult to pack them up and send them on their way, but it will be okay.

That got me thinking, I should share them with you as well. So I put together 7 practical ideas we have used over the years to prepare our children for the day they would move out on their own.

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5 Secrets to Homeschooling with Success

5 secrets to homeschooling success to equip you on your homeschool journey. Homeschool encouragement from ConnieAlbers.com

5 Secrets to Homeschooling with Success

School is in full swing! For some of you bad attitudes, resistance and discouragement have already derailed your well thought out schedule. It’s okay. Those days do happen. Especially when you begin the new school year. By focusing on the five secrets that helped me cross the finish line with all five of my children you can get back on track more quickly.

Homeschooling for 21 years has given me a unique perspective. I have experienced the first-time fears and doubts associated with starting something new, worked my way through the high school years, managed five children on different levels, navigated the college admissions process and sent all five off to college.

I want to encourage you as you begin your new year to keep your eye on the end goal. Don’t be short-sighted. Be mindful of the values, character qualities, and academic pursuits you have in mind.

These are five points I intentionally focused on as I began each year:

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Looking Back on Homeschooling

I remember rising early before the kids, to exercise, study God’s Word, and pray over my day. I enjoyed that morning cup of coffee—or two—while reviewing my lesson plans, knowing the quiet would not last long. This was the calm before the storm. For when those little feet hit the floor, we would charge full steam ahead into our day.

Looking back on homeschool is a time of great reflection. Finish your journey strong and be proud of your job well done. Our children are our greatest assets. Christian motherhood encouragement from ConnieAlbers.com

Looking Back on Homeschooling

The Spanish moss is swaying gently from the trees as I write this afternoon. I’m sitting in my home, which was once so full of noise, busyness, and activity from homeschooling five children, and I see that what I did during those twenty-one years really mattered. You see, I’ve completed my homeschooling journey. So it is from this place that I share with you.

My house was once messy, with LEGOs, toys, books, and pencils scattered everywhere and laundry that was never “done” for more than an hour. Our days would begin early and end late. (How did we ever find the energy to maintain that pace?)

Now the floor needs vacuuming just once a week, the dishwasher runs maybe every three days, and the laundry baskets are mostly empty. I know, Mom, you can’t image that right now. How can you? You’re in the midst of raising your children.
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Embracing Your Unique Homeschooling Journey

unique Homeschooling Journey

Embracing Your Unique Homeschooling Journey

I’m talking over at VibrantHomeschooling.com about Embracing Your Unique Homeschooling Journey. Having completed our journey I can confidently say your family is not designed to be a mirror of someone else’s family. Let them be all that God has for them. You will spare yourself much frustration by building your family according to their strengths. I invite you to read the full post <here>.

5 Secrets to Homeschooling with Success

5 secrets to homeschooling success to equip you on your homeschool journey. Homeschool encouragement from ConnieAlbers.com

 5 Secrets to Homeschooling with Success

School is in full swing! For some of you bad attitudes, resistance and discouragement have already derailed your well thought out schedule. It’s okay. Those days do happen. Especially when you begin the new school year. By focusing on the five secrets that helped me cross the finish line with all five of my children you can get back on track more quickly.

Homeschooling for 21 years has given me a unique perspective. I have experienced the first-time fears and doubts associated with starting something new, worked my way through the high school years, managed five children on different levels, navigated the college admissions process and sent all five off to college.

I want to encourage you as you begin your new year to keep your eye on the end goal. Don’t be short-sighted. Be mindful of the values, character qualities, and academic pursuits you have in mind.

These are five points I intentionally focused on as I began each year:

(more…)