🌟 A Note from Mom
Hello parents,
The other night, as we were getting ready for bed, Sienna (my daughter) picked out a shiny sticker and gently pressed it onto her countdown calendar. We’ve been doing this little ritual every evening, marking one day closer to the start of school. Some nights she chooses dinosaurs, some Character. That evening, she paused and whispered,
“I’m a little nervous… but also a little excited.”
This fall, she’s starting 2nd grade, and I can feel the shift in her. The excitement, yes, but also the weight of something new. A bigger classroom. A different teacher. More independence.
I held her hand and reminded her that it’s okay to feel both. As the first day of school nears, many of us are navigating this tender in-between space, between summer and schedules, play and preparation. If you’re feeling the same, here are a few ways to ease the transition gently and lovingly.
🗓️ Gentle Planning Notes
The first day may still feel far away, but this is the perfect time to prepare slowly without pressure. Here’s a light-touch checklist to ease your family back into rhythm:
☐ Check your school’s calendar and mark any key dates
☐ Begin adjusting bedtime by 10 to 15 minutes
☐ Refresh school supplies and start with what you already have
☐ Choose a quiet corner at home for school bags and papers
No rush. Just gentle steps forward.
🚀 What We’re Talking About
Bedtime, Reimagined
Start adjusting sleep and wake times gradually.
A bedtime story or soft lullaby playlist can gently anchor the new rhythm.
The “Mini Backpack Drill”
Try a pretend school day.
Pack a snack, pick an outfit, and do a short walk to the door.
It’s fun for them and gives structure a playful frame.
Create a Countdown Calendar
Whether it’s stickers, stamps, or drawings, watch anticipation and comfort grow each night.
Talk About the Feelings
Excitement and nervousness often show up together.
Name both. Normalize both.
And don’t forget yourself in this process.
Your mornings are changing too. Carve out five minutes—for quiet, for coffee, for your breath.
Counting down to school with a sticker a day. Sienna’s little way of preparing for something big.
Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to chaos.
Let this season begin not with a rush but with rhythm.
With care,
