by Laura Kycek
As summer winds down and backpacks are filled with fresh supplies, the back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement, nerves, and new beginnings. Whether you’re a student stepping into a new grade, a parent adjusting to the school routine, or a teacher preparing your classroom, this time of year is a powerful reminder of growth, learning, and God’s presence in every step. I’m one of those people who love the back-to-school section, especially the smell of a new box of crayons or a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils. This September, I hope you experience newness in three areas: sayings, routines, and supplies.
The most important three minutes of a child’s day are the first three minutes after they wake up, the first three minutes after they get home from school or daycare, and the last three minutes before they go to bed. I would add that the words they hear during this time, in addition to the action being done, will stick with them. This school year, I task you to switch up the classic car chatter from, “Have a good day! And how was your day? (“Fine.”) to a more meaningful, conversation inducing phrase. After many years of homeschooling, last year was the first time I got to drive a child to school for drop off and pick up. Andrew knew at the end of the day when he got in the car, I wasn’t just going to ask him, “How was your day?” I wanted to know, “Who did you help today?” After a few days of this routine, he would beat me to the question. This created a rhythm in his day to anticipate his answer. As the year went on, the boys turned the question on me. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them recount their actions during the day.
This year I’m going to add a new saying to our car time: Give Him your best today. I never expect our kids to be perfect, but I do expect them to try. Colossians 3:23 says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” I want our kids to see school isn’t just about academics or sports, it’s a place where character is shaped, friendships are formed, and faith can flourish. I want them to approach their education and athletics as they will their future career; knowing God placed them there for a purpose. That purpose is to glorify Him.
Although we educated our boys within our home for many years, we participated in communities outside our home that required us to pack up our things for a day during the week to be away from our regular routine. This also meant mom needed to have things prepared the day before. A wise mom, a stage ahead of me, said, “Once your kids can do something on their own, let them do it on their own.” Tying their shoes, washing their hands, loads of laundry, packing their lunch, zipping their coat. Once they learned it, they did it. I guided them as they learned a task by giving them a checklist. When we had piano lessons on Tuesdays, they had a checklist in their bag with what needed to be packed. If it wasn’t packed, mom could not be blamed. We had practiced and done this routine together. This created a sense of responsibility for them as well as planning ahead to allow enough time to get things ready. I have tried to instill in them the routine of planning ahead the night before, so the morning rush is not quite so rushed. I am also a firm believer in alarms – not just for waking up, but also to leave for school to avoid speeding as well as when to pick up from school.
I don’t know if I’ll ever lose the thrill of seeing school supplies in stores. I loved getting the list each year and picking out new supplies. I love watching the littlest learners choose their box of crayons and backpack. An adventure awaits as the calendar page flips to September, and class is back in session. Calvary Kids wants to send your kiddos back to school (in your home or in a traditional school setting) with some fresh supplies and a purpose behind each of them. Stop by the Family Ministry welcome desk to get a back-to-school bag filled with some fun school things. Be sure to get a hug, high five, or fist bump from Miss Amy or Miss Laura.
As we enter this new season, let’s remember that God walks with us through every hallway, classroom, and challenge. We are praying over each backpack, lunchbag, and workbag the words from Joshua 1:9, “The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” And remember – Give Him your best today!
Laura Kycek (key-check) is a SE MN native and has been attending Calvary since 2013. Laura is the Calvary Kids Director. She is married to her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Michael and mom to Andrew and Benjamin. Reading, embroidery, all things Disney, and snuggling with their dogs are her favorite free-time activities.