First Day of School Memories and Traditions

This short-lived time in your family's life will soon be gone. Elementary school days are fun and then done, just like that.

Yesterday I moved my oldest son to college for his freshman year. I did okay, until I got back home and his room was empty. Thoughts are lingering in my mind like, “Did I do okay as a mom? What should I have done more? What should I have not done?” I find myself reminiscing about the good old days when he was a child. So, I thought I would share some of the things we did to treasure the first few days of school.

I encourage you to take time to create memories that will fill your child's heart with love, mind with confidence, and soul with contentment.

1. Plan a candlelight fancy dinner using the china, crystal, and silver.

My young sons loved the times we got the nice china and had a candlelight dinner. There is something almost mystical about a few flickering lights in the dark. We would sit and talk longer than usual on those candlelit nights. They even asked for it the night before my oldest left. We sat in the low light Saturday night eating steak and potatoes and laughing about past memories.

2. Take a first day of school photograph.

You will love looking back over the years at the first day of school pictures. These photos say so much and will bring back a flood of memories. We laugh at the clothes, hair styles (or lack thereof,) cheesy smiles, and new big backpacks.

3. Have your kids write their names and draw a self-portrait.

Kids move from grade to grade quickly. Often times we as parents hound them about what they need to do better. This special little activity highlights the growth and maturity of each child. It is a visual reminder, to you and to them, how they have developed and are actually making progress.

4. At dinner, have each family member share High, Medium, and Low/s of the day. (We try this at each dinner meal we have. It actually works, even with teenage boys.) This is a tradition we started long ago. The question that always got just an answer of “fine,” was “How was your day?” But, the High, Medium, Low, would go on and on and on. Sometimes one would say, “Wait, I have two highs and three lows.” I found out more about their lives during this then any other time.

5. A nod to Steven Covey… Begin with the end in mind. 

We spend a lot of time getting ready and discussing the beginning of school with our children: new clothes, supplies, shoes, new teacher, and classmates. Carve time to talk about what you want the end of the school year to look like. Ask your child some of the following:

• What grades do you want to receive?
• What do we need to put in place to make sure you receive the grades you want?
• What kind of character trait do you most want to develop by the end of the school year?
• How could we develop that trait? Paste a definition on the fridge? Receive a reward when we see it in action? What else?
• What kind of friend do you want to be by the end of school? teammate? sister? brother?
• What chore at home do you want to take on and master by the end of school? 

Please share your ideas in the comments section! What traditions and activities do you do to commemorate the first days of school with your children?

Every parent, no matter what the journey has been like thus far, can remember when he or she first looked into their child’s eyes in the delivery room. From birth to the first day of school until the time you send them off into the world as an adult, may seem like forever. Having just experienced it, it seems as only a few days have passed since my college boy (ahem… college man) was a newborn. As my husband and I returned home yesterday, the memories flooded back as I looked at my oldest son’s empty room. I can honestly say, I would relive those memories again. If I could, in my own way, I would slow down the clock! Play more. Make more memories happen. However, I can’t. So……I cherish each and every high, medium, and low!

To the greatest of days,

Mrs. Young