A not so normal new school year is my reflection as a parent as we gear up for a very unusual school year.  Being a mom gives me the platform to be my daughters’ first teacher and influence.  I was apprehensive when we started the new year because we did not know what the plan would look like. We moved to our current home because I learned from our home buying process that we were not just buying a house, we were buying into a community with a great school system.

Community is what makes the huge investment of buying a house worthwhile and I am thankful that we bought into an amazing community: from our wonderful neighbors to the nurturing school community. When we moved here five years ago, I have to admit that I was nervous about the new school our girls would be attending because the school they were leaving grew to be an extension of our family. God knew my struggles and answered my prayers in one outstanding school community with a principal, a staff of teachers and a family environment that value the diversity and gifts in each of our children.

Today as I watch my girls navigate a not so normal new school year, I am simply thankful not only for my girls’ teachers but teachers everywhere who take our children’s hands, open their minds, and touch their hearts beyond academics, distance learning and pandemic.  I can only imagine the layers of safety measures and technology learning that happen behind the scenes in order for teachers to teach our children into these unchartered territories.

My prayer for students this not so normal new school year is for God’s peace to reign in their hearts and calm any fear or anxiety they may have. Lord, may you clothe our children with your presence, peace, and protection each day and help guide them. You have put parents and other adults in their lives to help them do their best with what they have. Let their eyes see others with love and compassion; let their ears hear words that are affirming and uplifting, let their mouths speak gentleness and kindness,  let their minds seek knowledge and gain understanding. I pray for their character to be kept blameless in and out of the classroom. I pray that they be salt and light in their school and they may grasp the responsibility that comes with being leaders themselves!

My prayer for teachers everywhere is for God to lead them in this ever unpredictable school year. May the Lord grant them the Spirit of wisdom and insight in knowing what’s needed for such a time as this. May He strengthen them when they feel weak, discouraged an weighed down. I pray for peace and protection over them and their families in their going in and their coming out.  May they have the words to speak life into their students and the perseverance to impact throughout the year.

I look back to the past few weeks as we are navigating the hybrid model for our girls and all I can say is that it’s been a humbling journey. Check out my mom tips for making the best of distance learning  and my encouragement to all parents is to take it one school period at a time. We pushed through some highs and some lows but overall my girls have learned that there are grownups besides their parents who believe in them and are willing to make their year safe and fun learning.

I don’t know what’s ahead as I understand this year to be a not so normal new school year for all of us. I am sending tons of hugs to parents everywhere who are doing their very best with what is thrown at them. These past six months have not been easy and it’s important to take care of yourself as a mom to be made whole in order to mom well and operate efficiently and strike a WELLthy balance of home/school/work life.

Here’s to a not so normal new school year cheering us moms, our children and our children’s teachers whose influence extends beyond the classroom and remember we are in this together!

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