If you are a mom, and depending on where you live, you’ve likely been getting ready to send someone back to school this past week. You’ve been buying supplies, checking on whether the long pants still fit growing legs, and calming anxious nerves. Today I’ve got a article running on Roo Mag about dealing with those back-to-school emotions … and not the ones my children are feeling. Rather the ones I’m experiencing.
If you are visiting from there, welcome. If not, I hope you’ll hop over there and read what I had to say about sending my son Dylan to college last year. (Click here to visit Roo Mag) Then come back for more about a back-to-school series I’m starting.
And that’s what I wanted to tell you all about. You see, I know how hard the first few days of school are. Even though my children are all teenagers, I can remember being a young mom and getting Joshua (my first born) ready for school. Joshua was so excited. I wasn’t really quite so excited. Questions and concerns consumed me. One big worry was that Josh wore a patch over a weak eye. And he would have to wear it to school. What would the other kids say? Would they make fun of him?
Thankfully God had gone before us and in that little kindergarten classroom were twin brothers who both wore glasses and who both would be patched during school hours. God was already answering my prayers.
That was just the start of how I would worry over my children. But that’s actually a different story, and one I wrote an entire book about called “When Your Child is Hurting.” I’m sorry to say the publisher is no longer printing new copies, but it is still available used or in a digital format. You can read more about it here.
Anyway, I digress. My heart hurts for all of you mamas who will be dropping someone (little or big) off at school, fighting back tears, and coming home for a good cry. And I wanted to do something for you (and me). So beginning August 27 (I know my article says the 20th, but I had to postpone it for P31 reasons), I’ll be doing a 10-day series for those back-to-school blues.
Each day I’ll post a word of encouragement from me, a Word of encouragement from God and a practical back-to-school tip to help ease the chaos. It will be short and hopefully helpful.
You are welcome to stop back on August 27th, or sign up today to receive my blog posts by entering your email address in the box on the right sidebar. I completely understand if you sign up for just those 10 days and then unsubscribe. I just want to you to have a place to visit when you feel sad.
Before I end, I’d like to pray for you.
Heavenly Father, You alone know the emotions that bounce around inside me at the start of school. Sometimes I can’t even identify them. It’s hard to let my children grow up, and the start of school brings to the surface so many fears and doubts. Help me to turn to You with my emotions. Help me to identify those areas in me that are rooted in fear. I desire to parent my children with healthy love and I need Your help to do so. Bring peace and comfort to my sisters who are feeling sad today. Fill all of us with Your joy. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you’ll return many times.
In His love,
Glynnis
P.S. If you are reading this in an email, and would like to leave a comment, please click here to be taken to my blog.
Wow, your devotion really hit me. I’m sending my baby to Kindergarten & my oldest to college. I thought I was okay but some things bring the tears. Your devotion really hit me & I cried. I’m looking forward to reading more of your devotions for us “emotional Mom’s ” I pray God will use these to help me get better control of my emotions as I release these children. God Bless !
Praying specifically for you right now. I was in this place in 2009, when my oldest left for college and my youngest started preschool. It seemed to me that having kids at each end of the spectrum just served to remind me how fast time flies! *hugs*
Divine Timing is always perfect. My second oldest is at work 10 hours away and we have not heard from him for 5 weeks. As I begin to get the back to school antsies (one in college, one in last yr high school, one who has hard times in first year high school, last one left behind in elementary school), my heart was feeling way too stretched this morning. I look forward to your back to school articles of encouragement. I have never liked sending them back to school—I love having them home under wing! Being a mom is the best and hardest job there can be!! Kathryn
Thanks, Glynnis. You just made this mom of a teen/ tween feel normal about my anxiety issues. And I agree with Kathryn above that “being a mom is the best and hardest job there can be!” Parenting is surely the thing that brings me into an absolute state of desperation for my Savior… And I thank HIM for that.
Glynnis, I am so looking forward to this!! I have one in 1st grade and one in preschool, and despite the fact that I teach kindergarten right across the hall from them, I am more anxious about their days in school than I am about getting ready for the 25 kiddos who will be coming to me. Our school system is excellent, but the protective bubble we create for our littles gets stretched every day and not always in ways we like. I am thanking God for the words of peace, comfort, and encouragement that He will be sending us through you! Thank you!!!!
My youngest starts kindergarten in two weeks. I am crying at the drop of a hat, thinking of all the little things he and I used to do together while his siblings were at school. And of course, everyone keeps asking “what are you going to do when he’s in school?” I feel like I have to do something big to impress everyone, when in reality, I’m sure I’m going to do the same things I do now: laundry, cooking, cleaning, bill paying, etc… I will just do it in peace and quiet
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Oh, Glynnis! You don’t know how much I needed this today. I’m now going over to Roo Mag to read your article — and I can’t wait for August 27 for your back-to-school posts.
Thank you, Glynnis! God’s timing is perfect!!! We are sending our son off this weekend to college! I needed encouragement! I thank God for your encouragement.
Does it make me a bad Mom that I am not anxious or upset about my children going back to school? My two are both looking forward to school, and I like the schools they attend. My chaos will be in getting the lunches made and everybody up on time those first few days!
Hi Anne – I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being happy about school starting! Not at all. It sounds like you’ve got a great attitude, and hopefully you can encourage other moms who aren’t as peace-filled as you are! Thanks for posting this comment.
Glad I’m not the only one who is excited that school is starting. New year, new opportunities, a fresh slate! I always get weepy on the LAST day of school – it’s the end of an era. They are done with a year and moving forward…my babies are growing up!
My son is going to school for the first time and he is so excited! Me, well, my baby is not a baby any more. I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom and now he will have other friends besides me. Is that sad or what that I feel this way!?
Hi Tina – I think it’s honest to admit how you feel. God will meet you in that honest place and bring you comfort. And I believe He has a new thing planned for you. May your eyes be open to His plan in your life!
Comforted to know I am NOT alone in my tears! Thanks ladies and Glynnis!
Glynnis – I just read your article on Roo and was so encouraged. While I’m looking forward to the routine that school brings, I’m also a bit sad. My youngest goes to kindergarten all day this year. For the first time in about 8 years, I’ll have my days to myself again. I’m feeling a bit lost! Thanks for this encouraging post, and I look forward to this series on your blog! Blessings!
Thank you so much for this!!! It reminded me to pray for my sons teacher, classmates and school. He doesnt start his first day of 2nd grade until the 27th but Im all ready feeling nervous. So I stopped and prayed here at my desk at work. Im feeling better and will remember to continue to pray for whoever his teacher may be and the students he will interact with. All Summer he has been at the YMCA and each morning I tell him “You are Smart You are good and You are kind” …and then he chimes in “I know, I know mom Im a leader and not a follower” with kiss and a hug (more for me than him) off he goes. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for the great emails!!!
Thank you, Glynnis, for your prayer, a powerful way to remind moms/grandmoms to turn to the Lord with all their fears and trust Him. I encourage moms to add other voices to theirs in prayer. Gather in a Moms in Prayer group, http://www.MomsInPrayer.org, to pray for your child and his/her school. I have found such comfort in knowing other moms are also praying for my children. And our prayer time draws me closer to the Lord and resting in faith. Since Moms in Prayer is international and the meetings have a simple format, no matter where you are, you can grab another mom and just do it.
Hi Debi – I’m so glad you posted this comment about Moms in Prayer. There’s also Moms in Touch (www.Momsintouch.org) for another option to meet with other moms and prayer. Thank you for reminding us!
Debi – I just saw Moms in Touch is now Moms in Prayer! I like that name change, it makes sense.
I’ve been praying in Moms in Prayer (formerly Moms In Touch) groups for over 20 years. I have been able to exchange panic for peace through these prayers. Plus I’ve benefited from the incredible power of two or three gathered to pray and help me carry my burdens to Jesus. And I’ve enjoyed fellowship I could not have imagined. (At first the name change was strange after all these years, but it does make sense, especially globally!)
Thank you so much, perfect timing. I dropped off my first and 4th grader daughters today and am feeling very sad.
Hi Melissa, I understand. I’m praying God’s peace over you, and protection over your daughters.
Thank you! My oldest starts kindergarten this year and while I know he will do great, I will miss his company during the day. He is a huge help! I feared up with you sending young men off.
Next weekend we will be moving daughter #2 into the dorm for her first year of college. Daughter #1 will be starting her 4th year of college 7 hours away from home, where she pretty much lives year round now. Even after 3 years, sending her off after a visit home can still be emotional for me, and I know that even though #2 will only be a couple hours away, it will still be hard. My “baby” will be starting his second year of high school and still needs me for now…at least until he gets his driver’s license in November…
I’ve never been the kind to wish they were still small, knowing that this is all part of God’s plan for them, but I’ve never looked at it as part of His plan for me. Thanks for the encouragement and empathy!
I cant wait to read more…Our oldest is starting kindergarten and we have so many different emotions flying around. It is almost like we want to protect him from the world, but at the same time we want him to make an impact in the world, and we want him to grow more independent so that he may be all God has chosen for him to be. Its a very nervous time. Praying for peace and thank you for encouraging us…Now can I cry!
My middle child begins middle school this year and I’m sorry to say that I’m very anxious about it! From the moment of her birth, she has been a light in the lives of all who know her – she has a positive attitude and a continual smile, and she loves Jesus! I’m fearful that something will happen in middle school that will harm her in some way; or that when the hormones of puberty strike that she will undergo a personality change. I wish I didn’t worry about this! I know I need to let it go somehow.
How sweet of my precious Jesus to send your words to me just when I needed them the most. I thought I was ready for my daughter’s departure to college this weekend until I watched her hugging her best friend good-bye at church. Your post put into words everything my heart was feeling and I’ve shared it with several friends in the same season of life. I know there will be tears, but, I’m grateful that He’s given me the opportunity to raise this beautiful girl and I send her out into the world knowing He loves her even more than I do. I’m excited to see what lessons God has in store for me next.
My Dylan started 3rd Grade August 6, 2012. We had trouble last year with bullies. Hopefully this year will be better for both of us. We can only watch over them so many hours of the day and the rest of the day we have to let GOD be GOD.
This year I will have eight in school and one home. My oldest is starting over in college and one beginning kindergarden. It is especially hard for this one because he’s developmentally delayed. His very bright and his speak has improved but I still feel a bit anxious. Then I have four starting new schools elementary/middle and high. The other two high schoolers are established but the fact they they are in there second and third years and to me just days away from college (smile), has me, I don’t quite no what I’m feeling. I think with all of the changes and all of this growth i am kind of sad in side. I couldn’t explain it but after reading your post I am able to relate. Thank you for sharing I’m looking forward to the 27th.
As for finishing well…I too am so easily distracted and have much on my plate. I have to literally talk out loud as I make my way from the bedroom to the laundry room. “I am going to the laundry room. I will not stop along the way. I will keep going…” Pretty crazy. I also have found using a timer for tasks helps. And if I really need to get some writing done and am having trouble focusing, I head to the library.
Oh and as far as those kids go…well I now have one left out of four daughters. My youngest is a senior in high school. Yeah, yeah…I know how good it is. Yes, I know it’s better than her not leaving and moving onto independence. But tell my aching heart that. There is something lost and so there is grief. Not for what’s ahead, for what’s behind. I’m thankful for every moment. I know I was privileged to share a great deal of time with my girls. I do miss those days. This summer, I did not have all girls together at home once. I was a little sad about that. And during one college visit, my daughter burst into tears as she looked at my husband and I, “What are you guys going to do without me?” (I think she meant what was she going to do without us too!) I assured her we would miss her, but we would survive and indeed thrive. What is supposed to happen will happen. It will be different, but I’m counting on awesome things ahead…
WOW! A friend and I were JUST talking about this earlier in the week and then I found this! I can’t wait to forward her your information, and I look forward to following your blog. Thank you for letting God use you!!