Back to School Without Losing Your Peace
Are you ready?
The backpacks are zipped up and the supplies are mostly labelled. Meanwhile, your calendar is filling up with practices, forms to be signed, packed lunches to be made and deadlines to be met.
Yep—it’s that time again.
Back to school.
Or maybe you’re still in that last-minute scramble—hunting down the missing glue sticks, tracking down the right-size gym shoes, and wondering how on earth the summer flew by so fast, I’ve been there.
Either way, whether you’re ahead of the game or barely holding it together, this season has arrived. And with it comes a fresh opportunity—not just to prepare our kids for the classroom, but to anchor our homes in peace and purpose.
For many families, this time of year brings excitement — and anxiety. Perhaps you're trying to organise a better routine than last year. Perhaps your child is starting kindergarten, middle school, high school, or even college. Deep down, you may be wondering:
“Will my child be okay?”
“Will they find new friends?”
“Will I be okay?”
Let’s pause right here.
This is your moment to parent on purpose, pray with boldness, and fight for peace in your home.
1. The Back-to-School Battle Is First Spiritual
It’s easy to think that the biggest challenges when going back to school are related to screen time, lunches or sticking to a schedule. However, Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers… against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Yes, your child's new school year matters academically. But it also matters eternally.
Will they be rooted in truth?
Will they walk in courage or in comparison?
Will they be influenced—or be an influence?
As Christian parents, we can't just leave this one to someone else. The school year is about more than just maths and reading. It's also about identity, resilience, relationships and spiritual support.
Before you prepare the pencil case, cover your children in prayer. Do this as the first line of defence, not as a last resort.
Ask God:
“Father, what are You saying about this school year?”
“What are You doing in my child’s heart that I can partner with?”
“How can I parent prophetically, not reactively?”
Before the to-do lists—PRAY.
Your prayer shifts atmospheres.
It makes a difference for your child, your family, their teachers, their classmates, and the entire school environment.
Don’t underestimate it!
2. Reset the Atmosphere at Home
Neuroscience now confirms what Scripture has always said: our children’s brains thrive in safety, structure, and connection. When their nervous systems are regulated, their learning, relationships, and character development flourish.
But you know what? The same is true for you.
So instead of being reactive this school year, let's reset our home’s atmosphere—intentionally.
Here’s how:
Create rhythms of peace, not just routines. Structure is good, but connection is better. Don’t let checklists become your god. Let love lead.
Speak positively to your children every morning. Before they leave the house, remind them: 'You are God's child, full of wisdom and courage. Today is full of purpose.” And don't forget to include yourself!
Protect your evenings. A 15-minute “connection check-in” before bed can recalibrate the whole family’s heart. Let them talk. Let them feel. Be present.
As Proverbs 24:3 says:
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
This school year, don’t just fill backpacks—fill hearts.
Be intentional. Fill them with God’s peace, His purpose, and His presence.
Take the extra time… and watch how it transforms the atmosphere in your home.
3. Recalibrate Expectations
Let’s be real. As parents, we often carry silent pressure:
My child needs to be the best.
I have to be perfectly organized.
We should be doing morning devotionals, balanced meals, and extracurriculars—without losing our minds.
But hear this:
God is not calling you to perfection. He’s calling you to faithfulness.
Faithfulness means:
Being present, not perfect.
Saying no to unnecessary busyness.
Choosing peace over performance.
In Luke 10, Martha was “worried and distracted by many things” (sound familiar?), but Jesus said Mary had chosen “what is better”—sitting at His feet, wow, this gets me every time!
This school year, your posture matters more than your Pinterest-worthy lunchboxes. Sit at His feet. Let your kids see it. Teach them early that peace isn’t found in performance—it's found in proximity to Jesus.
4. Prepare Their Identity, Not Just Their Lunch
The enemy doesn’t wait until adulthood to attack identity—he starts young.
In every inner healing session we've led, the root lies were planted in childhood—through fear, trauma, rejection, or comparison.
And where does much of that take place?
also in School.
It can be a battlefield for the soul—shaping how a child sees themselves and others.
“I’m not smart.”
“No one likes me.”
“Why am I different?”
“I can’t do this.”
As Christian parents, we must plant the truth before the lie has a chance to grow roots.
So this year, go beyond academics. Prepare their identity:
Speak declarations over them at breakfast.
Have them memorize identity scriptures (Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9).
Write sticky notes of truth and hide them in their lunchboxes or pencil case. best done by dads. If there is no dad present ask a grandfather or maybe a good male friend.
Teach them how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit—and how to shut down the voice of shame. more on our latest blogpost link here.
Your child may forget their math facts, but they’ll never forget the way you built them up in the Word.
5. Build a Battle Plan: Spirit + Strategy
Yes, we need to pray. But we also need practical structure.
Here’s a sample “Back to School Battle Plan” you can customize:
SPIRITUAL:
Daily blessing and prayer over each child (Numbers 6:24–26)
Have worship playing in your home softly in the mornings
Prayer walk around their school weekly
Fast one meal a week to pray for your children’s spiritual growth
PRACTICAL:
Sunday night prep: clothes, lunches, backpacks
7-minute morning check-in: “3 things you’re grateful for, 1 thing you’re nervous about”
Family calendar review on Fridays
Weekly Sabbath rest: no activities, just reconnect
When the Spirit meets vision, we parent with purpose and power. We don't just 'survive' the school year — we lead it with vision and intention.
6. Include the Holy Spirit in the Hallways
The truth is, you won’t be with your child every moment. But God will.
The Holy Spirit walks the same hallways, sits in the same classrooms, and rides the same bus. He speaks when your child is scared. He nudges when they’re about to compromise. He comforts when they feel alone.
So teach them: You are never alone.
Say this with them each morning:
“Holy Spirit, I invite You into my day. Guide me, protect me, and help me listen to Your voice.”
The earlier our children learn to lean on the Holy Spirit, the more grounded they will be when pressure comes.
7. Encourage Yourself in the Lord, Mom/Dad
We love to prepare our kids—but what about you?
This season can stir up your past: school trauma, comparison, fear of failure. Maybe you’re grieving how fast your children are growing. Maybe you’re exhausted before the first bell even rings.
Pause.
Breathe.
God sees you.
He hasn’t called you to parent this season in your own strength. Isaiah 40:29 says:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
So before you set another alarm or pack another lunch, crawl back into the Father’s lap. Cry if you need to. Ask for wisdom. Receive fresh grace.
You can’t give what you haven’t received. Let Him fill you again.
Final Activation: Commission Your Family
This isn’t just a school year. It’s a mission field.
Gather your family. Lay hands on your children. Bless them. Anoint them! Make it intentional.
Here’s a prayer you can pray:
"Father, thank You for the gift of this new school year. We declare that our home is filled with peace, our children are filled with courage, and our family is covered by Your grace. We release our children into their assignment with confidence, not fear. Fill them with wisdom, compassion, and truth. Use them to be light in dark places. And help us, as parents, to lead with love, not control. In Jesus’ name."
Let the pencils be sharpened. Let the prayers be bold. And let the Holy Spirit lead every step.
This is the year your family grows stronger, braver, and more rooted in Christ than ever before. Hold on to that truth, declare it, and pray into it. What needs to change this year for it to happen? Take those intentional steps toward it. Yes, it will cost you—time, lots of time—but isn’t that our mission?
Welcome to back-to-school—Family Oasis style and share this with every mom or dad who needs this encouragement today.