Supporting Your Loved Ones in Education During Back to School Season

 Do you have a significant other, bestie, sister, or loved one in education? Is it August? Then this post is for YOU. 

During back to school season, your loved one is feeling a huge range of emotions - from excitement to anxiety, from enthusiastic to overwhelmed, from joyful to depressed. Sometimes, all in the same week... or day. There's a LOT to do and little time to do it. How can you lend a hand and show them some love and support? 

While everyone receives love, appreciation, and support in different ways (do you know their Love Language, for example?), here are a few ways you might show some them love! 

1. During the first week of school, celebrate them. Take them out for a meal to celebrate their first week back! Listen to their stories, their worries, and their excitement. Pro tip: while making plans to do dinner out on a Friday night sounds good now, they may be toooooo exhausted at the end of that first week - even if it's a short week. A Saturday night dinner date or a Sunday brunch with the besties may be more enjoyable. ;) 

2. During the first week of school, send them a few bucks one morning for a caffeinated beverage, if they're a coffee drinker (not all educators drink coffee, believe it or not!). They may need a little extra boosts during those mornings!

3. Shop their Wish List. Now - this post is not going to get into the absolute absurdity it is that educators are funding their own classrooms. That's another post for another day, but if you are able to shop their Amazon Wish List, it's super appreciated. Take a few minutes to check out their highest priorities on their list and send them a little note of encouragement! 

4. Want to support their list but don't have funds to do that? Boost their post on social media by liking it, commenting with a note of encouragement, or sharing their post. It does something to the algorithym and allows other folks to shop their list. 

5. Don't take canceled plans personally. The first few weeks back are absolutely EXHAUSTING. Truly. If they send a text that says, "I'm so sorry to do this but I cannot do dinner tonight after all." Respond immediately "No problem at all!" with a heart emoji so they know you received it and they know you're not mad! 


6. August is hard. Sunday nights are hard. Many folks in education get some type of Sunday Scaries experiences, and many of us also get those anxiety-filled Back to School Dreams... so just go easy on your friends and loved ones in education. Their minds are filled, their hearts are filled, and their bodies are exhausted! 

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