It’s that time of year again – the start of a new school year! Whether you’re a seasoned parent or you have a new kindergartener, the mixed feelings of nervousness, excitement, and anxiety are likely familiar. In this episode, we are going to talk about transitioning smoothly into a new school year and the importance of easing kids back into school.
Let’s just first acknowledge now that there’s a bit of upheaval that happens at back-to-school time. Your kids are learning new things and adjusting to new schedules. Be mentally prepared for this.
Easing into the School Year
Here are my suggestions for ways of easing your kids back into school and setting them up for a great year:
Be sure to talk to your kids about any anxiety they may have.
This might be anxiety about the challenges of new things or it might be social challenges. Connect with your kids about how to process their emotions. Temper your expectations of your children, and yourself.
Be prepared and reduce stress by meal planning.
Having the groceries in the house and at least a rough plan of what you’re going to cook will make your days run more smoothly. Don’t forget to think about nutrition! Your child’s brain is developing rapidly and they need healthy fats and proteins in addition to good carbs. Set consistent meal times and set your day by working backward to make sure that meals happen on time and avoid children becoming hangry.
Help your kids develop good study habits and related routines.
Show them how to focus. Give them a space in which to study. Provide organizational systems and skills.
Include physical exercise and free play in your days.
Create margin in the schedule for these activities. Don’t give up this time in order to get other things done!
Create an atmosphere in your home that your children will want to remember.
An atmosphere of warmth, excitement, and enthusiasm is contagious. Write down the words you want your kids to use to describe your home after they’ve left your home as adults. Be and do the things needed to embody those words.
Remove distractions and provide the resources they need to be successful.
What is in the way of your child achieving their goals? Determine what is needed of you to reach those goals? What is keeping you from being available for your child?
Make It a Great Year
Every school year brings its own set of unique joys and excitements and challenges. I hope your children look back on this school year as a year of blessings and call it a great year!
Do you worry? Seems like every time you turn around, there’s another headline that strikes fear and causes worry these days. What about your kids? Do you worry about them? Do you worry you will ruin them? Do you worry about the things they will have to face? What can you do about worry? Well, Keri Eichberger is with me in this episode to talk about these big issues surrounding worry. Keri offers encouraging insights and reminds us of the power of God’s truth in conquering worry and finding peace in all seasons of life. You can win over worry!
In this episode, Keri and I discuss:
Keri’s family dynamics with five children and how that lends itself to an environment of worrying
How you can help someone if you are just one step ahead of them
The distinction between genuine concern and worry
Understanding the root fears behind worry, which often include a fear of helplessness and a fear of being unloved or unworthy
Understanding God’s unconditional love and his power
Overcoming worry by seeking God’s truth, turning to prayer, embracing community, studying the Bible, and other spiritual practices
Acknowledging that some individuals may be more predisposed to worry due to their wiring, but still emphasizing the same things work for those people
Keri’s example of a fear of flying and trusting God
Worry is common and we all face it. But, worry is not from God and you can overcome it through the power of God who lives in you!
About Keri Eichberger
Keri Eichberger lives just outside of Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband Mike and their five kids. Her own roller coaster of life trials, redeemed by a relationship with the Lord, fueled her desire to help others discover and experience the fullness of life found in Jesus. After years of writing for an online audience, she became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She continues to follow her calling to bring faith-filled encouragement to others around the world through her social media influence, devotionals, Faith Fueled podcast, and Christian nonfiction books.
The new school year is upon us. If you’re like most families, there’s some upheaval going on as you figure out new routines and rhythms for meals and bedtime, and more. As you work on getting everyone back into the swing of things again, developing resilience is key to smooth days. What is resiliency and why is it important?
I’m asked frequently when I travel and speak about routines and rhythms. I speak regularly about developing resilience and being resourceful. It doesn’t matter if you’re a public, private, or homeschooler, everyone goes through an adjustment period at the beginning of a new school year.
What’s the goal? What’s the schedule? I’m not personally one that plans comprehensively because by 8:05 am my plans had gone out the window, but, I do like having order. During this adjustment period, it is helpful for you to manage your expectations of your kids and help manage their expectations.
Your children need to learn that when needed, they should pivot and adjust. This is being resilient. When you get knocked down, you get back up. It’s learning how to figure things out and overcome obstacles. Some of your kids are naturally resilient. When something happens, they stay positive and optimistic. Other children are leveled when something doesn’t go right and they have a hard time figuring out how to cope. These kids need a little more support in learning how to be resilient.
Remember that we’re talking about your child’s life. You can’t fix every situation for them, nor should you. As their parent, you should help, guide, and lead them. Help them develop problem-solving skills. Also remeber that choosing your words carefully in these situations also improves your relationship with them.
Communication is key and relationship is the end goal. You want to be the voice that your child seeks out when they face set backs. Developing resilience in them now will stick with them well into adulthood.
As I’ve traveled this summer, I’ve heard many people talk about being tired and overwhelmed. Just like you, I can’t get everything on my list done in a day! As a part of a recent conference, I participated in a retreat. So today I’m sharing with you the importance of retreating, just as Jesus did in the Bible. There is an urgent need to retreat! Let’s talk about this need for finding quietness and rest amidst the chaos of life and how retreating can provide strength, joy, and a renewed connection with God.
Sometimes quiet is something that we have to make happen. This act of retreating keeps us steady in the midst of chaos and near the heart of God.
“In quietness and rest is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15
I’ve learned that if we don’t make time for this quiet and stillness, sometimes it is thrust upon us. It is vital that we retreat so we have the needed quiet to allow our minds to be still. God provides strength to us when we retreat. Rest moves us from burnout to breakthrough. Our lives are so busy, and these things are robbing us of the time that we need to be in God’s presence.
When I say retreat, I’m not talking about activities that require money or days away. I’m referring to the simple daily time alone with God.
In Genesis, God modeled the practice of rest after He finished creating. In the Gospels, Jesus modeled getting away from the crowds. If God Himself rested and retreated, it seems that we should follow His example. It is a lifeline for us!
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16
Exactly how you do this will look a little different from another person. Maybe you do this by taking a walk, sitting on the porch, or a chair where you can sit alone. You might be able to retreat for a minute or ten minutes or an hour.
Also, remember that your children are watching you. They will see how you take this time away with God and how you make spending that time a priority.
Things to consider:
Where can you retreat?
How long can you retreat?
What does God want to say to you?
More Verses to Ponder:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'” – Mark 6:31
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” – Psalm 116:7
“The Lord replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” – Exodus 33:14
As the fall season approaches, I encourage you to incorporate retreating into your daily lives. I challenge you to add a time of retreat to your calendar. Guard that time like you do taking your children to their various activities. By carving out moments for stillness and communion with God, we can find strength, joy, and direction in the midst of life’s chaos.
I met Doris Swift a few years ago, shortly before we both started our podcasts. I’ve been a guest on her show and I’m delighted to introduce you to her in this episode. She’s an author, podcaster, and founder of Fierce Calling Ministries. Listen in as we talk about embracing your fierce calling in using your gifts, navigating challenges, and embracing the seasons in your lives.
This episode is sponsored by BJU Press Homeschool. Visit bjupresshomeschool.com for trusted educational resources from a biblical worldview.
Doris and I discuss:
Doris’ passion for encouraging and equipping women to walk deeper in God’s word and use their gifts to impact the world for Christ.
Being grandparents
What if I’m missing my calling?
The importance of embracing different seasons of life, including motherhood
The importance of not comparing ourselves to others
Facing trials and challenges, such as the destruction of Doris’ home by a hurricane
Finding strength and joy in Christ
The need for community and supporting one another in difficult times
The story behind Surrender the Joy Stealers, a 6-week Bible study
How we don’t know the depth of the stories of the people we cross paths with
I hope this episode inspired and equipped you to seek out the “joy stealers” in your life!
About Doris Swift
Doris Swift is an author, speaker, founder of Fierce Calling Ministries, and podcast host of the award-winning Fierce Calling Podcast. In ministry for more than thirty years, Doris is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to walk deeper in God’s word, take action where their passion, compassion, and conviction intersect, and use their God-given gifts to impact the world for Christ.
She is the author of Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You, a six-week Bible study rooted in John 15, which was released in May 2023 by Elk Lake Publishers, Inc.
Doris’s writing has been featured on popular sites and in magazines such as (in)courage, Just Between Us Magazine, Life Letter Café, Thrive Global, Purposeful Faith, Arise Daily, and Spark Media Magazine. Doris contributed a chapter to the award-winning book compilation We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished by author Deb DeArmond, published by Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University in Christian counseling, psychology, and business.
Doris currently resides in Florida with her awesomely supportive husband Brian, is mom to two amazing grown-ups and a daughter-in-love and son-in-love, and gammy to six wonderful grandkids she adores.
John Lovell, the inspiring force behind the Warrior Poet Society, is joining me on the podcast. John’s remarkable background as a former Army Ranger and special operations soldier, combined with his passion for masculinity and fatherhood, has propelled him to become a sought-after speaker and mentor. John is on a mission to redefine what it means to be a man in today’s world so we can start embracing masculinity again. We dive deep into the balance between strength and sensitivity, the importance of being a protector and provider, and the invaluable role of fathers in shaping the next generation.
This episode is sponsored by BJU Press Homeschool. Visit bjupresshomeschool.com for trusted educational resources from a biblical worldview.
In this episode, John and I discuss:
Meeting John at a homeschooling conference
Impact of technology and social media on daily life
Importance of living in the real world and not being consumed by screens
Balancing technology usage and spending time outdoors
The negative effects of cell phones on joy and relationships
What is a warrior?
What is a poet?
How to be a warrior AND a poet
Embracing masculinity and the role of men in the family
Instilling strong character, a love for reading, and physical strength in children
The importance of letting husbands lead and embracing their role as men
“Men make men.”
Acknowledging the challenges of single parents and seeking God’s guidance
John’s new book, The Warrior Poet Way
I hope my conversation with John encouraged you in raising and interacting with your boys and all of the men in your life!
About John Lovell
John Lovell is the Founder and CEO of the Warrior Poet Society — a values-based community dedicated to physical protection, the pursuit of truth, and living for higher purpose. His message has garnered over 100 million views across social media and streaming platforms. John is a former war veteran and Special Operations soldier, having served in 2nd Ranger Battalion. After his military service, he served as a Christian missionary in Central America full-time. Today he is a video content creator, public speaker, firearms trainer, and homesteader. John lives on a small farm in Georgia with his wife and two sons.
