21 Things To Do For The First Day Of School

21 Things To Do For The First Day Of School

Whether your child has already returned to school or they are still waiting for the first day of school, one thing is certain going back to school and the first day of school are usually a big deal. Some kids are excited to get away from home, reconnect with old friends and continue the process of growing up. Other children are frightened by the unknown of attending a new school, indifferent about being in a new grade or anxious about beginning a new chapter of life.

Regardless of the position our children take about the first day of school, parents have an invaluable role in the back to school process. The parent’s role extends well beyond assembling the annual back to school list. Our perspectives and attitudes about school usually influences our children’s outlook about school and their hopes for their future.

Intentional and Active Not Helicopter

In preparation for the first day of school, I have prepared a list of 21 things parents can do to be intentionally and actively engaged in our children’s lives throughout the entire school year. To be clear, intentional and active is not code for becoming a helicopter parent.

Intentional and active simply means being consistently supportive and constantly aware of your child’s academic experience. Intentional and active parents encourage their children to do their best, console them when their best does not produce the desired outcome, applaud them when their best produces the intended result, supports them to stay on the path to enjoying more ups than downs and are rarely if ever are surprised about how their children are actually doing.

Before the first day of school commit to giving your child the intentional and actively engaged parent they desire and deserve. Take a moment to plan your role this school year. Maybe the list below can provide some examples of things you can do to remain an intentional and actively engaged parent.

1. Take a current picture of your child. Check out the picture daily to remind yourself what is really important: why you work, why you need to be in the best health possible, who counts on you to be and do your best…
2. Take a current picture with your child. Give the picture to your child. Make sure they have a photo that captures a moment where they can never forget what it feels like to be loved by you.
3. Divide your age by your child’s age. This calculation is meant to illustrate the multiple importance you have to your child. I’m 49 and my son is 19. By my calculation, I must do and be my best because my son needs and counts on me 258% more than anyone else in the world.
4. Do something memorable before the first day of school (picnic, miniature golf, bowling, etc.). The goal is simply to spend the entire day (24 hours) doing whatever your child wants to do.
5. Write your child a letter of a minimum of 600 words. Remind your child through the lost art of letter writing how much they are loved by you. Share with them through the written word all the hopes and dreams you have for them. Consider making letter writing a habit.
6. Schedule a minimum of an hour each week to read with your child. This is of particular importance for the primary ages. Protect your child from the word gap.
7. Schedule your child into your life. Plan at least 3 hours a week where you are available to do whatever your child wants to do (in addition to athletic or extra-curricular events). Keep in mind that you can spend time with your child or they can fill their life with the influences of others.
8. Have breakfast with your child at least one weekday per week. Unless you are out-of-town on business or work during the time breakfast is served have breakfast with your child. You will be making the most important meal of the day memorable.
9. Have dinner with your child at least one weekday per week. See #8
10. Surprise your child at school at least one day per month. Bring your child lunch, share lunch at school with them, drop off a letter, leave a card, or deliver a balloon. The goal is always the same. Make sure your child knows that they are a constant and important element in your life.
11. Write all your child’s teachers and the principal. Welcome back to school all those whom you entrust with the care and education of your child. In your welcoming note, subtly inform them that you are ready and willing to help in any capacity needed (chaperone an event, monitor your child’s grades and behavior, etc.)
12. Add all the school events and extracurricular events that your child will participate in on your calendar. Don’t be the excuse parent. The only way not to make excuses is to be intentional. At every turn, intentionally plan your life to include your child.
13. One Saturday a month, prepare breakfast for your prince or princess. Make this breakfast a big deal. Remember excuses are not acceptable. If you aren’t a great cook open a cookbook. This breakfast is a day to celebrate the fact that your children are living and you have them in your life.
14. One Sunday a month, prepare dinner for your prince or princess. See #13
15. Send texts with encouraging words at the beginning of the week or daily. Parents often think the words they say to their children fall on deaf ears but more often than we know what we say sticks. The affirming words you send might make all the difference in the world.
16. At least once a semester invite up to five of your child’s closest friends and parents to lunch or dinner. The importance of knowing who your children associate with and who their parents are cannot be understated. What feather of bird does your child flock?
17. Consider keeping a video journal where you communicate your experiences as a parent. If writing is truly not your passion or you just want an additional way to convey your hopes, dreams, fears, frustrations, joys and pains of parenthood video is easy and invaluable.
18. Hug your child every day. Whenever location permits hugging your child should be as natural and necessary as breathing. Breathe love and life into your child with a loving embrace.
19. Tell your child you love them every day. The idiom about assumptions applies to parents. Don’t assume your child knows that they are loved. You need only say those three simple words – “I love you”.
20. If possible take your child to work with you whenever they have a school break. Give your child an opportunity to see how you provide for them. Let your child see firsthand what you do to take care of them.
21. Do something out of the ordinary. If your child is embarking on a new frontier such as going to middle school, entering high school, or beginning college, get creative. Give your child a token that will remind them when they are away from you that you believe in them, that you trust them and that you will always be there for them.

This school year let’s do the right thing. Let’s be more than the human debit card who merely buys school supplies and purchases new clothes. Starting with the first day of school, let’s plan to be intentionally and actively engaged in our children’s lives life never before.

Never forget that our role as parent is powerful. We could be raising the child who will cure cancer, resolve world hunger or eradicate homelessness. There’s a lot at stake. We can’t afford to waste our power or use it irresponsibly.

How are you planning to be intentional and actively engaged in your child’s life? Are you using your parenting power responsibly?