Back to School Traditions
School is right around the corner, and some kids can barely contain their excitement. In just a few short weeks, they will get to see their friends, enjoy fall activities, and get back into a rhythm. Some are a little more nervous. The schedule, the schoolwork, and the pressures are intense. But there’s one thing that everyone, including the parents, can look forward to every year: back-to-school traditions.
Traditions encourage families to connect with one another and get excited about special events. Celebrating and holding to traditions can make the transition to a new school year more bearable for kids who are nervous, and even more exciting for those that can’t wait to get back.
Looking back on my school years, I remember my mom bringing us to our elementary school the day before school started. We’d meet up with a couple other families, check out our class list and teacher assignment for meet-the-teacher, and then go out for ice cream all together – one last party before the school year began! Of course, there was back-to-school shopping for supplies and clothing and “last hurrah”- type activities: the pool, favorite restaurants, and running down the street to the neighborhood park.
My experiences are probably similar to other parents my age. Here are some more ways families can mark the beginning of the school.
Family time
Celebrate together as a family. Create a family tradition of going to a certain restaurant, doing some type of activity together, or going on a trip before the school year begins. Involve everyone in the activity, and be sure to take photos. Ideas include: spending a day at the Naples Zoo or Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, spending the morning at Wiggins Pass and grilling out for lunch, or going out to dinner and ice cream at Venetian Village or downtown Naples. Your family may even decide to plan a weekend getaway to another town in Florida each year.
A great tradition to adopt before the school year begins involves one-on-one “dates” with each of your children. Taking some time to discuss the school year, expectations, and potential challenges, and connecting individually with your child can be beneficial for both parents and children before the busyness of the school year begins. You may decide to let your children come up with a plan or stick to the same activity year after year. The activities are not what is important, but rather spending quality time together making memories and fostering positive relationships is.
Shopping: make it manageable
Depending upon the age of your child, shopping together can be a great way to connect and get them excited about the new school year. Make shopping manageable so no one gets overwhelmed. Don’t go to too many stores or try to accomplish too much all at once. Take each child separately, and have a goal of purchasing either clothing (socks, shoes, uniforms, etc.) or school supplies. Visit the same stores each year, and let your child make certain decisions based upon his or her own interests and style.
Capture the moment
Many families take back-to-school photos to mark the first day of school. These photos can track growth, interests, and goals. Some parents often write the date and school year on a black board or poster of some kinds, along with interests and “what I want to be when I grow up”-type information. What a fun tradition to look back on as children grow up and begin to pursue their passions! Many families also take similar photos on the last day of the school year.
Other ideas
• “I wear a matching mommy and me bracelet set with my daughter. It’s a great idea for little ones who are nervous to start school.” –Emma, Naples mom of one.
• “We do a final day trip the weekend before school starts. It’s our last hurrah as a family.” –Casey, Naples mom of two.
• “I take my older girls to Bramble’s Tea Room to have a special lunch, and then we go back-to-school shopping. We talk about big issues they might encounter during the school year, and we pray together.” –Kristen, Naples mom of three.
• “Every year, I had a first-day-of-school party. Each of my kids decorated a cupcake, and we watched a movie. We would sit together and have our treat as they told me all about their first day.” –Cheryl, Naples mom of four.
• “Because our school is a small and tight-knit community, we always do a few different gatherings for families before the school year begins. We meet at the beach, and we go out for ice cream.” –Estee, Naples mom of two.
• “We celebrate the last day of summer each year however the kids want to celebrate. They get to plan the whole day from start to finish. Of course, bedtime is still at 8 p.m!” –Elizabeth, Naples mom of two.
The transition back into the school is an important time for children. Make it special for your family with celebrations and traditions.