The Meet Hope Podcast

90: Embracing Change: A Parent’s Guide to School Success

• HOPE Church

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This week we are sharing a favorite previous episode as we continue our back to school encouragement of you and your family! This episode was first released at the start of the school season in 2023. We hope it blesses you if it is new to you OR blesses you again in a new school year!

Have a kid heading back to school this week? Know a parent or a teacher who is stressing about back to school? This special episode is encouragement just for that! Hear from Talena Ra, Assistant Director of Tomorrow's HOPE Preschool, who has worked in education for many years, has a master's degree in Elementary Ed, and is a mom of three! Talena shares the hope she has for her kids this year, how she manages back to school anxieties, and a special prayer for everyone heading back to school. 

NOTES & RESOURCES:

  • Contact Talena at talena@meethope.org
  • Places to connect at HOPE based on your kids age:
  • Back to School Prayer, borrowed from Illustrated Ministry: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvP0c6fr9eP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 
    • “God of fresh starts and new beginnings, 
      We bring ourselves, our big feelings, and our backpacks to you. 
      In our backpacks, we carry blank pages, sharpened pencils, and pointy crayons, 
      And in our hearts, we carry big feelings, unanswered questions, and hopeful expectations. There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring — of what we might learn, who we might meet, and who we might become.
      God, our friend who is always with us, be with us through it all.” 

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Thanks for being a part of the HOPE community as we continue conversations about faith and hope! You can learn more at meethope.org or find us on socials @meethopechurch. Join in for worship on Sundays at meethope.live! Have a question? Contact us at podcast@meethope.org.

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Speaker 1:

so we'll just do the same thing, kind of again. Um, and it doesn't have to be like perfect to a t like, like if you forget, if you said something in our practice and you forget to say this that's okay, like I always try to say, like there's probably a reason, like you know, trust that that, that this conversation matters too.

Speaker 1:

Um, so let me just start everything for us and make sure that it's working. Okay, all right, are you ready? Yeah, okay, hi everyone, welcome to the Meet Hope podcast. My name is Ashley Black and I am so excited to be your host for today, and today we have a special episode where we're going to be offering some encouragement to anyone who has a kid going back to school, or knows someone going back to school, or maybe is a teacher themselves going back to school.

Speaker 1:

That that is the special focus of this week's episode, and so, if you are a parent, I'm sure that you are in the thick of preparing your kid when this episode comes out, and so that's why I'm excited to have with us today Talena Ra, who is the assistant director of Tomorrow's Hope Preschool, here with us. Hi, talena, hi, how are you doing Good? Thank you for having me. I'm so glad that you would do this with me. Thank you for having me. I'm so glad that you would do this with me. I know that you're very busy getting ready for back to school in your own life and here at Tomorrow's Hope, which is the preschool here at Hope Church, and so, but why don't we just start by helping people get to know you a little bit more? So would you share a little bit about yourself with us?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, sure. So I am married to my husband, dan. We've been married for 19 years and we have three children. My oldest, andrew, is 17. Our second, lily, is 14 and she will be a freshman. My oldest is going to be a junior. So good, it's fine. And our youngest, gracie, is 10, and she is going to be in fifth grade.

Speaker 1:

That's exciting because you have two high schoolers this year.

Speaker 2:

Yes, which absolutely blows my mind, because I have this photo of the both of them coming to Tomorrow's Hope preschool on the first day, and now I think about them going to high school. And you know it happened so quickly. All three of them actually went through Tomorrow's.

Speaker 1:

Hope.

Speaker 2:

So I've you know, we've been part of Tomorrow's Hope for a long time, so it's a very it has a very special place in my heart and um, and this fall I'll be, you know, switching gears.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so you're you've been on staff at tomorrow's hope for a little while, yeah.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so I uh joined tomorrow's hope staff in 2018. I um started off as the toddler circle teacher, which was, you know, wonderful. I got to meet so many wonderful moms.

Speaker 1:

My kid loved toddler circle. It was a great way, like you said, to get to know some parents. Yes, it was.

Speaker 2:

It was really great. It was just neat to see even the moms connect and just how much more it was for the moms as much as for the toddlers. And then I taught toddler circle for two years and then COVID hit, so we kind of switched gears and I taught kindergarten, the half day kindergarten, which was also a blast. I loved that. And then I switched gears again and I taught the four-year-old class for two years one of the four-year-old classes and I'm switched gears again and I taught the four-year-old class for two years.

Speaker 1:

One of the four-year-old classes and I'm switching gears again. Yeah, that's very exciting, I'm very excited. Are you excited? Yeah, that's good, I am, I'm excited nervous.

Speaker 2:

But mainly excited. I think it'll be fun. That's great.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I'm so excited for you. Um, so we're going to talk about a couple of things today, but let's start with. You mentioned that you're a parent yourself and that you have two high schoolers almost two high schoolers and a fifth grader. And so, um, how do you, how do you feel about the back to school season? Um, is it? Are you excited about it because you're an educator, or is it stressful and overwhelming? Like what are your reactions to it?

Speaker 2:

You know, I think it's definitely a little of everything you know excited, nervous, I think. The nervous part I think, which I think a lot of parents can probably relate to, is just it's a new start, new teachers, new classmates, new classes, and so, you know, you, just the anticipation at all it just kind of makes you feel a little nervous, because you're not. You know.

Speaker 2:

You hope that everything will be okay and it'll be a good year for your children, and I think now with two high schoolers you know, school becomes much more stressful. So I think anticipating that makes me feel a bit nervous, and just also the busyness yeah, that's I'm.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I'm wrapping my brain around that.

Speaker 2:

Just the schedule change yeah, I think, um, we love the slow pace, the slow mornings, and then you kind of go onto the rushing and the schedule fills up and just balancing all that is a bit overwhelming. But you know, on the flip side too, just excited too, it's a new start and I'm always amazed at how much they grow and they change and they develop more confidence, at how much they grow and they change and they develop more confidence, and I just I think, just seeing what you know, what God will bring for them each year is exciting to see what, the, what challenges and how they overcome them is is exciting.

Speaker 1:

Is there anything that you are really wanting for your kids as they head into school this year, like, is there anything you're hoping for them or praying about for them?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you know, this was something I was thinking about and I think the word peace really came to mind. I just I think for me, my prayer for my kids, is that they would feel peace, like true peace, as they go into the year and as they navigate the ups and downs that you know, that will come. I just really hope they feel peace and just connection too. I hope they make good connections with their friends. They deepen connections and just healthy relationships. They're friends, they deepen connections and just healthy relationships.

Speaker 2:

So that's really probably at the forefront of my mind when I think about that's really helpful.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, so and as we mentioned, so you're a parent and so you've got that like part of your brain working hard right now because you're trying to set your kids up for success as they head back to school, and then this other part of you.

Speaker 1:

The other piece of who you are is you're an educator and, yes, you're also trying to. Um, I mean, there's so many people that you're, you're supporting and encouraging you teachers and other staff, and then also all the parents who are coming in the door, and then also their little humans that are coming with them. Yes, so, um, remind us real quick before I ask you some more questions what is your background in education?

Speaker 2:

So I actually started as an elementary school teacher. I taught elementary, I taught third grade for about six years in Flemington, New Jersey, and then I took some time off to be with my own kids while they were young. And then I took some time off to be with my own kids while they were young. And then it was when Gracie, my youngest, was in school full time that I thought I think it's time for me to slowly get back into it. I absolutely love being an educator. I love working in the education field. It's definitely one of my passions. So I knew God would bring me back.

Speaker 1:

I wasn't quite sure how, and I'm just I feel very grateful and so blessed that he saw now work and serve in a place where your kids grew young people like that.

Speaker 2:

So part of your story? Yeah, it's really neat. I wouldn't have expected it, but I am very thankful.

Speaker 1:

So, so, so, as an educator, what, what? What kind of encouragement would you give to parents? Let's start with parents of young kids, who you're going to be seeing a lot of this week as preschoolers come back to Tomorrow's Hope in the building. What kind of encouragement would you give to parents with that age? Yeah, so.

Speaker 2:

I have always every year remembered years ago I had read something that it takes something upwards of six weeks to get used to something new. And I think I would just really encourage preschool parents just to remember that it's a, you know, a new start to new school year is a huge transition for a preschooler and I think just to really be patient with your child, to be patient even with yourself, I think you know, especially in it, we're in a day and age where we like immediate results and we want things to click quickly and smoothly I mean, who doesn't? But I think just to be patient and know it takes time for it to happen.

Speaker 1:

Well, yeah, no, that's such a great fact to know. I feel like that's something I need to like put on a post-it on my fridge. Or like circle on the counter Six weeks, because you know six weeks that's like, that's what into October, Right.

Speaker 2:

So that's like yeah.

Speaker 1:

I can feel like a long it feels far away right now yeah, I think that's so, so helpful to remember and it's so encouraging. You know, for me I have a preschooler who is three and I remember last year, when he started school, I was so worried about his first day, just like so much change right away. And and when we came home that day he just laid down on the floor in our like entryway and he wasn't like mad that day. He just laid down on the floor in our like entryway and he wasn't like mad or upset, he just like, was tired, he just kind of like laid down. I was like but are you okay? He's like.

Speaker 2:

It was just a really big day, mommy, and I was like me too no, I love that and I feel like that's like perfect that he said big day, it is really big. And I think it's big feelings and I think, because we're adults, we forget how big things can feel to a two, three, four-year-old or a kindergartner. You know it's, I think that's, and it's big.

Speaker 2:

So I think big things take, big time it takes a lot of a lot of time and you know, and sometimes it happens really quickly and the first you know this happens a lot in preschool, where the first three weeks are fine and you know, even it can be longer than three weeks and everything. This transition seems so smooth and all of a sudden your preschooler realizes oh wait, this is, this is long, this is going to keep going. Yeah, and then you know and that's when their transition starts, really, you know.

Speaker 2:

And then they start to have those big feelings and I think some of the preschool parents might. You might feel discouraged or confused or frustrated, but you know that's all so normal and expected.

Speaker 1:

That's really great. That's such great encouragement, thank you, and I think, like you said, having lots of feelings and all of it being really normal, like I think we see it more on little younger kids, but it's probably it's so true for every age because they're all encountering something new and so, um, so what? What other kind of encouragement would you have for parents who are kind of in the same, uh, kind of in the thick of it, like yourself they have in an elementary school or a high school, middle school? Yeah, what kind of encouragement would you share with them if you were just standing?

Speaker 2:

next to a fellow parent.

Speaker 2:

I think I'd really just be like I know what you feel, I think, just knowing that they're not alone, I think as you parent, especially as you get into the teenage years, it can feel lonely because you're trying to figure out this new relationship with your teenager and they're going through really bigger things and bigger stressors and I feel like, um, your relationship kind of goes through some growing pains and it can feel lonely. And I think I would just encourage other parents to know that you know you're not alone and what you're going through is not crazy or abnormal. And, um, you know, I think in the when the kids are younger, parents are more apt to talk about potty training or nap troubles or the visual, physical stuff.

Speaker 2:

Those are so much easier to open about. But I feel like sometimes parents of teens can almost feel this sense of shame or embarrassment or failure if their teen is struggling with something.

Speaker 1:

But you know, I think it's important for parents of older children to talk just as much you know, to open up, encourage in them is you know they would share something with me about, about their student and and and I would. I always would want to try and connect them with another parent who is also kind of maybe had a similar experience, and they were like, oh, I'm not, this isn't abnormal, I'm not the only one I'm like. No, this is part of having a 13, 14, 15 year old, you know, and and I always loved getting to cheer them on like I loved getting to say like I know you feel like your kid doesn't talk to you right now, but they're a great kid like they make me laugh so much.

Speaker 1:

They'd be like really they talk to you. You know so also having other people around you that maybe see your kid in a different way can be a good way to feel encouraged because you're, they're not, they're not mom and dad so they can say like hey, I love talking to your kids, you know no that's, that's huge.

Speaker 2:

I think, yeah, and I think sometimes when you're in the teenage years you can kind of get hung up on the not so great things, that. But there's so many great things too, and I think just um being intentional about seeing the good things that come with you know.

Speaker 1:

No, that's really beautiful, because I know too like they feel a lot of pressure that there's all these things they need to be achieving or doing.

Speaker 2:

And a parent you can feel that kind of is like pruning you of your control or your love for control. I mean, I know as parents just from the beginning, we love control and I think, especially when they become teenagers, you start to see God's, you know God is helping you grow up as a parent too and to let go of that control and just to really be able, um, you know, to trust and to find that peace and you know, to remember who God wants to be to us as teenage parents and not parents of teens.

Speaker 2:

So I think you know really connecting and being intentional and pausing, yeah.

Speaker 1:

That's really, that's really beautiful. That made me think of um, uh, every year on our hopes, on our social media, we try to share like a back to school prayer or something for parents to be praying for over their students or where their kids or kids they might know, but then also kind of for themselves as well, and so I thought we could read that here today as kind of a way to wrap up a little bit.

Speaker 1:

Yes, I love that, so I'm going to read that. I'll read that now for all of us as we prepare for back to school. So here it's what it says, god, of fresh starts and new beginnings. We bring ourselves our big feelings and our backpacks to you. In our backpacks we carry blank pages, sharpened pencils and pointy crayons, and in our hearts we carry big feelings, unanswered questions and hopeful expectations. There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring, of what we might learn, who we might meet and who we might become. God, our friend, who is always with us, be with us through it all, is always with us. Be with us through it all. And that prayer was borrowed from a place called Illustrated Ministry, if anybody wants to look it up, but Talena as we yeah amen, I love that Thank you?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I thought it said so much about what we just talked about. Yeah, like about all the big feelings and the big things that we worry about. So, as we wrap up, is there anything else that you would want to share or say to?

Speaker 2:

everyone listening, I mean to all my fellow parents in the trenches. I just, you know, like I spoke about that piece and I just I really hope that. You know there will be ups and downs.

Speaker 2:

It's not going to, it's not really an if there will be the new year brings you know and um, but I think just the peace. I hope that you know we will find peace and really be intentional in surrendering things to god and just really um, knowing that ultimately he loves and advocates for our children far more than we ever could begin to. And I think you know, just to find comfort and confidence in that is probably one of my own personal and probably my wish for other parents and for my preschool friends and families. I'm really excited and looking forward to seeing everybody again real soon and I'm just praying for a great year for everybody.

Speaker 1:

No, that's all really really beautiful. Thank you for sharing so much wisdom with us and encouragement. Yeah and um, if anybody, like you said is, is feeling like alone, or they're feeling like and they want to know they're not alone, you know there are lots of things that happen at Hope throughout the whole year for their kids of any age your preschool, elementary, middle school, high school but also for them as parents, and so I'll make sure that we link some of that stuff in our show notes so people can can look for it there and find some ways to get connected. Yeah, that's great. Yeah, yeah, otherwise, we hope everyone has a great back to school. Yes and uh, talena, thanks for doing this with me, thanks for having me. Until next time, we will, uh, we will talk to you then.