It is that time of year again! School supply stands at your local store, new shoes, new clothes to look your best and impress your friends and bookbags slung on shoulders as young minds head out for another year of school.
Before they head out to begin the next chapter of their school career, we try to say the phrase that will send them off the best way possible. My wife and I would always try to say the most uplifting and encouraging words on our children’s first day of school (My wife was much better at it than myself). We believed it was an important part of the first day of school ritual. It gave them confidence even if, they older they got, the less they would show it.
Sometimes this is hard for some. I know I struggled overthinking what to say at times. Even to the point that I would just hug them and say, “Have a great day.” This is a perfectly acceptable phrase to say to your child leaving for school. The issue I had with this was an internal one. I wanted to tell them how proud I was of who they were. I wanted to tell them they were amazing individuals and I believed they would be great at anything they did. This can come across as a little over-the-top or even a little over dramatic. So, the goal is to convey all of this in a sentimental phrase that conveyed encouragement and pride in who they are. As I said, this has always been an issue for me because I would overthink what to say. So much so that when it came time to say anything I would mentally freeze up and “Have a great day” became the default.
I guess what I am getting at is that if you can relate to this dilemma, I got an article for you to keep in your back pocket. The article is titled “11 Encouraging phrases to tell your kids on their first day of school” by Dr. Sanam Hafeez that may provide that inspiration you are looking for without having to overthink it.
Good luck and remember, if all that comes out is “Have a great day” then that is enough. They know what you meant and appreciate what you said regardless of it being the most profound piece of encouragement ever.
