Joey & Carla Link
July 29, 2026
No matter what type of education your family has chosen-homeschool, public school, or private school, getting your kids ready for a new school year can be a big job. From buying new clothes and shoes to gathering books, curriculum, and the long list of school supplies, there is always plenty to do.
But beyond the physical preparations, have you considered whether your children are ready emotionally, socially, and morally for a new school year? Are they prepared to enter a new grade with confidence? If you’ve recently moved, are they ready to be the new student? Are they prepared for the transition to middle school or high school? Do they know how to respond if they’re teased because they’re new, got glasses over the summer, have braces, or simply don’t fit in with a particular group of classmates?
Whether your children are homeschooled or attend public or private school, have you begun preparing their daily routines? Are you gradually adjusting their internal clocks so they go to bed earlier so they’ll be ready to wake up refreshed and alert? For homeschooling families, establishing a consistent start and end time, along with a daily schedule, helps create structure and teaches good habits that will help them learn time management skills they’ll need throughout their life.
Have you evaluated how many extracurricular activities your children can realistically handle? Are you teaching them the self-discipline to complete homework on school days instead of waiting until Sunday night? Developing these habits early on in the school year will hope the entire school year go smoother.
Do your children have an alarm clock so they can learn the responsibility of waking up on their own? Have you established a consistent bedtime and bedtime routine to ensure they get enough rest each night and are ready to learn the next day?
With the busyness of life, it’s easy to put these preparations off until the first day of school. Even if you’ve been through many “back to school” seasons before, it’s worth asking yourself these questions again. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or preparing for your child’s very first school year, have you intentionally planned how you’ll help your children get ready for a great year?
It’s your responsibility as Mom and Dad to prepare them, not just with backpacks and school supplies, but with the routines, character, confidence, and life skills they need to be ready to learn and succeed.
“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
I Corinthians 14:40
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Parenting Made Practical Podcast
Getting Kids to Prioritize Time
Kids can waste so much time! Learn why you need to teach your kids time management, and get practical ideas on how to train your kids to organize their time at different ages so they can have fun and play time.
Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!