Instagram Message: Remembering when she started pre-school. Even though she's going into 3rd grade this year, I'll pack her a tool box for sure.
When my daughter came home from her first day of kindergarten she showed me a plastic baggie with this note attached to it:
Is that the sweetest thing? So I kept it (obviously, because I hoard all thoughtful things) and when both kids started a new school together, I decided to fill up little plastic "tool boxes" for them to keep in their backpacks or cubbies. Since my son couldn't read at the time, I explained each of the items. I added a small picture of us and a felt heart. I also changed the words for the cotton ball to remind my kids that feelings can be soft so be gentle to all.
No matter if your child is starting kindergarten, college, sixth or eighth grade, every student needs a little thoughtful pinch to get them thru the first day or maybe the first month of school. Heck, you may even know teachers who need a little tool box like this to get them thru the school day. "Back To School" is always an exciting time but sometimes, in the bustle of trying to get your school day rhythm back, your child (or your adult) may need reminders. Use kind words and have warm feelings. Comfort themselves when they feel sad. Stick together and help each other. Know that they are valuable and special. Shine and always do their best. Remind them that everyone makes mistakes and that is okay. Most importantly, your child (or adult) may have forgotten that they can come to you if they need help so hand them a Lifesaver and remind them.
Giving this pinch is all about being from you, thoughtful you. Add, subtract, change - just let your loved one know that you are thinking of them. They can reach into their tool box if they need to in order to get thru some moments when you can't be there for them. Use a special cloth pouch, a recycled Altoid box, a plastic sandwich bag etc. as a container for your items. Make one for your favorite babysitter who is going off to college, your grandchild who is in fourth grade, your sister who is in nursing school, your nephew who is a senior in high school, your uncle who is in law school. These special people in our lives do not have to be going into kindergarten and they don't have to be your kids.
I'm sending these two eye pillows made with lavender to my niece and nephew. I purchased the last of the eye pillows from Love Crate but you can check www.herbal-animals.com for more. Herbal eye masks help my kids calm down for bed and block out the light for a quicker drift off. They make great Back To School pinches.
Because these cards run out fast, I already bought my kids their cards from Dollar Tree (my kids start school on 8/25 and 8/27). I will give the cards to them in the morning but will write a little something about the day or week on the inside cover to commemorate the day.
Last summer my son was NOT excited about being a kindergartener in the Fall. Finally when school was about to start he confided in me that he feared if he dropped his lunch tray in the cafeteria everyone would laugh at him. Well that explained why he wasn't dying to be a kindergartener! When a classmate caused him to drop stuff off his tray I was prepared to comfort him. I hope he confides in me always.
Happy Back To School and have a wonderful first day to all that are starting soon!
Pinches,
Barb
P.S. Ms. Maanum, Ms. Cogswell, Mr. Goeddeke and Ms. Cluff - thank you for the support, magic and warmth my kids received during their kindergarten years.