The new school year is here, and by taking it head-on with faith as a guide, your child will find that it’s a new chance to thrive. While your child may be nervous about what’s to come, faith can help them embrace all the new opportunities that come with this next chapter in their lives. Here are a few ways you can take a step back and face the new school year with faith.
Recognize the challenges of a new school year.
Every school year brings with it a set of challenges. Children have new classes, teachers and extracurricular activities, which can be a source of stress and anxiety. There’s also more pressure to succeed academically and balance schoolwork with extracurricular and social activities as children move up in the years. The first step is finding out where your child will need the most support and guidance, and the next step is seeking it.
Turn to faith for strength and guidance.
What will help your child more than anything else is remembering they’re not alone. You’re there to help, and even when you’re not physically present, God is by their side. Encourage your child to seek comfort in prayer and find a faith community or mentor. Remind your child — and yourself — to trust in God’s plan for the year ahead.
Set spiritual goals for the new school year.
When the worldly aspects of life take over, you and your child may lose focus on your faith. Set intentions early on to commit to regular prayer and practice gratitude each day. Make goals about serving others in the community and spreading kindness on campus. As you move through the school year alongside your child, leaning on faith will become more natural if it’s always front of mind.
Overcome challenges with faith as a guiding light.
Your child can become overwhelmed by academic pressure, and when that happens, remind them that it’s the best time to lean on their faith. When difficult social situations come up at school, remind them of the importance of grace and forgiveness. This is especially important when they feel they’ve made a mistake. Ultimately, allowing faith to be a guide can be a source of joy and peace when life gets hard.
Our Orlando Catholic school encourages students and their families to lean on their faith as they go through the school year. St. Charles Borromeo, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.
