Celebrating Back to School! How 2021-22 Can Be Your Best Year Yet

Once upon a time (not so long ago!) going back to school was stressful enough. Now remember, this was a time before mask mandates and remote learning were hot topics. Simply getting organized, dealing with new-class nerves, and starting different routines put pressure on families.

In autumn of 2021, millions of families will experience these same feelings while also making critical decisions that will affect their health, safety, and mental wellbeing. Yes, the pandemic instigated by COVID-19 has caused a ripple effect on households. But it does not mean we can’t collectively be enthused for the school year. And perhaps worry about some of the good ole things—like packing nutritious lunches or wondering if your kid will like their classmates. 

With a fresh year comes opportunities to start over, grow, and make new friends! Here at Verywell Family, we hope to inspire you to celebrate going back to school—no matter if your child is physically going back, remotely going back, or a hybrid of the two. It’s an exciting time to hit milestones and, most importantly, learn about new subjects.

In this comprehensive guide to preparing for the 2021-2022 school year, we’re tackling tough topics, as well as fun ones. We have content around everything from setting goals to choosing a backpack and expert-backed questions to ask your kids at the end of the day.

If it’s a time of first for your family, document it with a festive photo in front of one of these trendy signs. Or try an Instagram-ready hairstyle, curated by celebrity stylists who are also moms themselves! 

For those feeling nervous about the school year, we see you. Our experts offer advice on detaching after quarantine life and feeling better about separation anxiety. We also covered the impact of distance learning on children and ways to deal with behavioral problems.

Since going back to school can be such a different experience, depending on where you live, we wanted to address this. So we launched a brand-new franchise called Perspectives. In each article, we asked 10 diverse people from around the country for their outlook on the new school year.

Sharpen those pencils! If we’re sure of one thing, it’s going to be one unique school year.

Lauren Levinson

Editorial Director, Verywell Family