365 Squarey Monsters: Back-to-School Rituals for Every Generation

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Back-to-School Rituals for Every Generation

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When I was a boy, "back to school" meant equal parts groaning about the end of summer and feeling the thrill of something new. We'd claim we weren't ready but really were looking forward to reconnecting with friends and wondering who our teachers would be.

When I became a dad, the tables turned. I was the one enforcing the rules, but I could see the nerves and the excitement in my children's eyes. I always looked forward to the trips for supplies, the chats of encouragement, and the last-minute scramble out the door on the first day.

Now, as a grandfather, back to school has taken on yet another layer of meaning. I'm a step removed from the hustle but still part of it as I cheer from a distance and share stories that connect my grandchildren to the family that came before them.

I've come to realize that going back to school is about more than sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks. It's a chance for generations to support each other as children step into a world of possibility, parents to offer guidance and encouragement, and grandparents to bring the long view. Our roles may change over time, but the promise of deepening our relationships remains the same.

First-day lessons for all ages

Over the years, this grandpa has learned a few things. First, mindset matters. An adult's outlook can shape how a child sees the road ahead. Second, the rituals around back-to-school season are powerful. What may seem like chores are really a chance to connect by sharing a story or offering encouragement. Often, the smallest gestures carry the biggest impact.

And most of all, I've learned to savor the season. Over time, you'll notice backpacks getting heavier and the goodbyes more routine. Then, one day, the front door closes and the nest is empty. It happens faster than you think.

When that day comes, your role changes again, and you'll begin creating new rituals that fit this next chapter. I have one for my seven grandchildren, each a small tradition that's just ours. With one grandson, it's an annual fishing trip at summer's end. It's become our way of easing into the school year ahead. Watching him lean over the water with his little rod, I'm reminded that these moments matter far more than either of us may realize.

Rituals that stick

Many of you in the Celebrations Pulse community have shared your own back-to-school rituals that have become the foundation of important memories. They remind me that it's not just the kids who grow during the school year.

One community member, Connie, shared a ritual that goes beyond just a "first day" photo. Her best friend started taking "before-and-after" photos — one on the first day of school, and another on the last, with the kids wearing the same outfit. Connie wrote:

"The kids loved seeing how much they'd grown — ankles showing, sleeves too short, shoes completely outgrown. It became a reminder of how fast a year goes."

Another story came from Roberta, who started tucking handwritten notes into her daughter's lunchbox during elementary school. Sometimes jokes, sometimes pep talks, the notes became her way of saying, "You're loved."

Her daughter not only saved them but quietly shared them with classmates who needed a lift. Today, as a successful consultant, her daughter still signs cards to her parents with the same closing Roberta used: "You know who. XO."

Then there was Joe, who told me about the lesson his mother taught him about empathy. One year, his bus driver, Bob, had lost his wife over the summer. On the first day of school, Joe's mother said, "Be sure to tell Bob you're sorry for his loss." Joe did, and Bob, with tears in his eyes, pulled him in for a hug.

That moment stayed with Joe, and it's a reminder for us all that kindness doesn't take much, but it can mean everything.

Embracing the moment

When I hear stories like these, I'm reminded that the first day of school is more than a date on the calendar. It's a time of connection and reconnection in which the smallest rituals convey big messages: I see you, I believe in you, and I love you.

As this season gets underway, I hope you'll embrace it by sharing stories, writing notes, taking pictures, and celebrating the growth. Use your power as a parent, grandparent, or friend. The advice you offer and the stories you share will make a difference.

While the backpacks and lunchboxes may someday be set aside, the love and encouragement we send our children into the world with will last forever.

All the best,

Jim

In this week's Celebrate Your Story, guest host Bridget Costello sits down with Heather Campbell, an accomplished corporate leader-turned-health innovator, mindfulness advocate, and author of Good Is Amazing. Heather's career journey is anything but ordinary. She's held unique titles like "Head of Synergy" at ESPN and "Head of Alchemy" at another major media company, but her true mission has always been the same: to make people feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

After a personal surgery experience revealed a major gap in patient preparation and recovery resources, Heather founded Ready Set Recover, which is a groundbreaking program designed to help patients enter surgery with less stress, more confidence, and a clear plan for recovery. Her approach combines science-backed healthy habits with the emotional and mental preparation often overlooked in traditional healthcare.

Whether you're preparing for surgery, seeking healthier habits, or looking for a spark of positivity, Heather's wisdom will leave you feeling empowered and inspired.

The season of Summerween

"Summerween" may have started as a joke on a kids' TV show, but, like the best traditions, it's found its way into real life. That's because it speaks to something we all feel: the desire to hold onto summer just a little bit longer.

The term was first coined in 2012 on the Disney Channel cartoon Gravity Falls, where the townspeople loved Halloween so much they celebrated it twice a year. Fast forward to today, and people across the country are embracing Summerween as a playful way to mark the final weeks of summer. Social media is full of sunny and spooky mashups: jack-o'-lantern watermelons, ghost-shaped cookies at pool parties, and even Halloween-themed backyard barbecues.

With Labor Day still ahead (Sept. 1) and the official end of summer not until Sept. 22 (at 2:19 p.m. to be exact), there's plenty of time to celebrate. Whether you're sipping lemonade on the porch, telling ghost stories by the firepit, or planning one last trip to the beach, this is the moment to soak it all in.

How are you celebrating the end of summer? I'd love to hear about your plans for an upcoming Celebrations Pulse, and I'll randomly select three submissions to receive a gift basket filled with treats to have their own end-of-season party.

Share a story and inspire the community

Each week as I sit down to write Celebrations Pulse, I'm reminded that the most powerful stories come from you. Over the years, some of our most meaningful letters have featured moments from this incredible community.

As we look toward the next few weeks, I'd be honored to share more of those stories — starting with two themes close to my heart.

First up is Grandparents Day, coming up on Sunday, Sept. 7. Maybe you're remembering a grandparent who shaped your world, or maybe you are that grandparent now, passing down recipes, routines, or hard-earned wisdom. However you celebrate the role grandparents play, I'd love to hear what that bond means to you.

I also want to spotlight small victories, especially those at work. What's your go-to ritual when you receive good news like a pay raise, promotion, landing a big client, finishing a project, or reaching a performance goal? Do you gather friends for a toast, treat yourself to a favorite meal, or take a quiet moment to reflect?

If you've got a story, please share it by clicking the link below. You never know who might need to hear it. And you might be surprised by how good it feels to tell it.

Let's give thanks to our favorite nonprofits

Every Aug. 17, we celebrate National Nonprofit Day, an opportunity to shine a light on and thank the people and groups that serve our communities.

One nonprofit that is close to my heart is Smile Farms, which we founded 10 years ago to create meaningful work for adults with developmental disabilities. What began as a single farm has grown into a network of campuses where Smile Farmers build skills and community as they plant and harvest fresh produce or work in the hospitality industry.

On this day, think about the causes and organizations that inspire you. Reach out, get involved, and see how your efforts can make a difference.

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Back-to-School Rituals for Every Generation

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