If your kids aren’t already back at school, they’ll probably be going back very soon. This is the second time our children are returning to a new school year – again with many pandemic uncertainties lying ahead. Whether you’ve decided for your kids to go back to school in person or to learn virtually, likely some are feeling excited and other kids are feeling anxious; it’s probably a mix of both.
But let us not guess what our children are feeling. And don’t just ask to get a surface level answer. Let’s get them writing about it, so that you can sit down with them to review their reflection, and talk about it. This will benefit them tremendously, but also give you, as the parent or guardian, lots of things to watch out for and to continue to talk about.
No more “how was your day?” and “what did you learn today?”. You and your kids can connect and show you care by talking about what’s really on their mind. And you can get insight into how things are being done at school or through the computer, so that you can rest assured that they are fine or obtain the info required to make next-step decisions.
So, here’s what you can do. Get them a new notebook or new pen (something to help them feel that the task is important). And consider these journaling prompts to get them started with this writing exercise. (Needless to say, feel free to modify them accordingly for your kids.)
- This September, I am going to school virtually/in-person (choose one)
- I am most excited about…
- One thing I am worried about is…
- Another thing I'm worried about is…
- I want to tell my parents…
And you can do this too! Your kids will be thrilled that you are doing this journaling exercise along with them. Here are some modified prompts, more suited for the adult.
- My kids are going back to school virtually/in-person (choose one)
- The main reason we chose this is
- But I am concerned about…
- I am also worried that…
- One piece of advice I want to give my kids is…
- And one that I’ll give to myself is…
What other prompts would you suggest adding to this exercise? Happy journaling, and best of luck to all who are sending your kids back to school (online or in-person) and into the world of COVID uncertainties. Continue to use journaling as a tool to reflect, express and decompress. And of course, continue to use it as a means to communicate deeply with your family.