In just a few weeks, the kids will be heading back to school and “summer will be over forever,” as my daughter put it just today as we drove home from a summer adventure at the lake. Little does she know, summer sticks around for a while in the form of many more 100-degree days. However, school is back in session soon. What do you do to prepare?
For several years, I have enjoyed reading about different back-to-school traditions and planning what I want to do with my own kids. One of my favorites is a back-to-school dinner. There are all kinds of variations of this on Pinterest and blogs, but here are some basics I’m planning to include in our back-to-school dinner this year:
Theme for the School Year
This could be a quote, a short phrase, or any type of encouraging and motivating mantra for the year. This can be a “go-to” for your kids when they need a little extra courage or confidence at school. Since we recently moved and my daughter is starting a new school, I’m thinking “Bloom where you’re planted” will be a great one this year.
Favorite Foods
It’s really fun to make this meal special for your kiddos. If you have more than one going back, choose one favorite food for each child. This makes it a fun combination of different foods.
Simple Decorations
Make the dinner feel a bit more festive than usual by adding a few simple decorations. Some fun straws in their favorite drink, balloons, or any other type of décor will really make it a memorable meal.
Show Kindness and Respect
During this special meal, remind your kids what it means to be kind to others and to look out for those who might need a friend. You can never talk about kindness and respect too much.
Remind Them of Their Strengths
Starting a new school year, especially at a new school, can be tough for kids! Remind them how important and unique they are by highlighting some of their strengths and what makes them stand out. It’s bound to put a smile on their face and will help them look forward to the school year with confidence!
