Top 5 Things Christian Moms Should Do to Prepare for a New School Year

Can you believe it’s that time again?! Summer break is dwindling down, and another school year is upon us.

Preparing to go back to school can be both exciting and challenging, with clothes and school supply shopping, the preparation for change in our daily schedules, and just the overall business that seems to rush in all at once. Internet searches for school lunch ideas will be on the rise, and stores will be full of parents and kids picking out clothes and checking off school supply lists. Regardless of if you are sending your kids off to school or schooling from home, now more than ever, there is an urgency for intentional preparation that goes beyond clothes and school supplies. Stay with me for a minute, because I know all of those things are important; but I want to challenge you beyond any back to school preparation you have probably ever done before. 

Why is preparation for back to school more vital now than ever before?

We are living in a time where Satan isn't plotting in secret. He is showing up on our TVs, in our workplace, our community, and even many churches. Yes, even in churches! To go farther with that, our kids are not even safe from the infiltration of corrupt ideology and unhinged worldviews. It's showing up on the tv shows we trusted to be safe. It sneaking on to the apps they play. It's also flooding into the schools, both through some educators and through curriculums. If there was ever a time to go deeper in preparation for back to school, that time is now.

Here are 5 impactful things moms can do to prepare for the school year.

A quick note: I encourage you, that if it's in any way within your means, homeschool your kids. You may think there is no way, or that you wouldn't be capable; but you are truly the best person for the job of pouring into your kids. School does not have to look a certain way. You can schedule your day any way that fits best for your family. And in the end, you will be happy you did; and seriously, they will be okay! You will not regret putting that time into them, guarding their hearts, and pouring into their future. They can even still play sports with their local school!

If homeschool isn't and option, I encourage you to look into local private schools. No matter where you choose to send your kids to school, please research what they will be taught, and guard their hearts just the same. 

Let's look at five specific ways to prepare for the new school year, that goes beyond the clothes and school supplies.

1. Know what your kids will be learning at school.

We live in a day where you cannot assume your kids will be going to school and simply learning reading, writing, and math. We cannot ignore what they may be learning within the subjects of science and history. The books they may be read, the conversations that may take place, and the manipulation and confusion that will without a doubt be filling the minds of kids all over the world, are seeds of immorality meant to sabotage our children's future and future generations. We are in a visibly corrupt age and our countries highest leaders right down to many state's school administration, has drifted far from God. What began with taking God out of schools has now become a pursuit of pushing personal believes onto our children. They are being manipulated and forced to accept any and everything within the classroom walls, bathrooms, and sports.

Do you know what curriculum your children are going to be taught this year? If not, I suggest calling to find out what your children will be taught when you place them in someone else's hands this school year. Of course we want to pray for our kids as they head off to school. However, it is also our responsibility to see to their safety and well being. We must be active in their education, whether that looks like teaching them from home, or being aware and engaged in what is taught at school. Taking our kids to church on Sunday will not outweigh the influence of the world. We must be vigilant in all aspects of our kids' lives. Our children are targeted right now in the world. Stand in the line for your kids, mama! 

2. Prepare YOUR mind & heart.

Everything about how we, as parents, enter into a new school year impacts our kids. It’s important to take a few moments to ready our own hearts. We don't want to stumble into the new school year. It moves so quickly, it'll be hard to catch yourself. Being prepared and readying yourself helps also lead the way for your kids. Go in strong, steady, and ready!

Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom and discernment every day, and that you will have a willingness to yield to His will for your life this year. Pray that God will guide you with your children each day, whether they go to school or school from home, that you will increase in your relationships, your faith, and that you will lead them well.

3. Prepare your kids’ minds and hearts.

The two biggest ways, I believe you can prepare your kids for the new school year, are through conversation and prayer. Opening the lines of communication is a great way to build your relationship with your kids, and also shows them you care about their thoughts and emotions going into this school year. You can ask them what they are excited about. You can ask if there is anything they are nervous about. If they share things they are nervous about, it’s not always because they want you to solve it, but rather to be heard. You can let them know you hear them, you are for them and with them, and that you all will get through it together. You can encourage your children by letting them know how proud you are of them as they go into another school year. Your words are incredibly impactful. Kids want and need to have these conversations with parents and to hear encouragement and truth. 

We need to have hard conversations with our kids as well. Kids need to be prepared for what this world will throw at them. If we don't prepare them, they will not know how to respond. It's not a matter of "if" they will face ungodly things; rather it's "when". Have the talks, and keep the lines of communication open.

Our kids also need you to challenge them about things such as how they treat other kids at school. They need to be challenged to do their best in everything they do this school year.

We want to remind our kids that, even though we don’t know what the future holds, we know Who holds the future and Who goes before us. That should give us confidence to walk with hope!

4. Pray over your kids for this school year.

Praying for your kids is such a powerful thing you can do, not only praying for them, but praying with them too! If praying in front of your kids is not something you are used to, it may feel awkward at first. I have been there. Kids don't see it that way though. They love it! It’s not about having a perfectly worded prayer. It’s that you take their hand and they hear you pray for them. Let's not just pray for them before school starts. Let's pray for and with them all year long!                                      

This is something we will do as a family. A father’s role in their children’s education is incredibly vital too. So please hear me when I say that these are things you should do as a mama. That’s not to say you should be the one doing all of these things. I believe a father is the head of the house. It's biblical, and it does not downgrade the incredible role a mother has. Your kid's father should absolutely be involved in these conversations and prayers. However, I am a mama here to challenge other mamas, whether married or single parenting!  

5. Set routines in place. 

Part of preparing well for a new school year is to put routines in place. Having a morning, after school, and evening plan will help your days run more smoothly and will benefit your kids in more ways than one! This doesn't have to be a rigid and miserable thing. It can actually be the opposite! With so many things that go on in a school year, from home life, to sports, homework, and events; having established routines allows those things to run more smoothly! 

With all that being said, let the excitement begin! Let’s make this a great school year for everyone!

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