How I Got My Six-Year-Old Excited for Back to (Home)School
We hadn’t done many outings over the summer, so I made one special and called it our “back-to-school field trip.” My son is a big dinosaur fan, so I found a place with fossils and a dinosaur exhibit. He was so excited, and the day turned into such a positive kick-off for our school year.
If your kids are anything like mine, the words “back to school” don’t exactly make them jump for joy. Especially six-year-old boys. Add in the fact that we homeschool—with a baby sister in tow—and let’s just say my son was not thrilled when I started talking about the school year ahead.
All summer long, he had free rein—sleeping in, playing outside, watching TV, no structure, no “work.” So when I’d gently remind him, “We’ll be starting school again soon,” his response was dramatic and predictable: “Nooo! I don’t want to! I hate school!”
I knew I needed to shift his mindset. Instead of making school feel like the end of freedom, I wanted to make it feel special, something to look forward to. Here are a few things that worked for us:
1. Plan a “Back-to-School Field Trip”
2. Celebrate With a Back-to-School Treat
I let him choose something special—donuts, ice cream, whatever he wanted. He went with donuts, so we bought glazed ones and decorated them at home with sprinkles and chocolate chips. It was messy, but fun, and he enjoyed it!
3. Exploring New Books
When some of our new curriculum books arrived, I let him flip through them before we officially started. Since he loves reading, seeing the dynamic graphics and fun pictures got him curious about what was coming. Just a little “sneak peek” helped build anticipation.
4. Adding something special to our calendar.
In our kitchen, I keep a big family calendar, and I marked down that on our first official day of school we’d be going to the library. Our usual library had been closed for renovations, so it had been a while since we’d gone. He loves the library—new books, toys, and just exploring—so kicking off the school year with that was a win.
Now, did all this magically make him leap out of bed cheering for school? No. But it did soften his attitude and make the transition so much smoother.
And honestly, that’s the reminder I want to share: it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes it’s the little things—field trips, sweet treats, or colorful books—that God uses to open our children’s hearts and shift their perspective.
So, if you’re staring down the start of your homeschool year with a less-than-excited child, take heart. Pray for wisdom, sprinkle in a little fun, and trust that the Lord will meet you in the middle of it all. You’ve got this, mama.
