Sadness at the End of Summer

Pondering how the Lord wants us to live in His love always, Rosemary Bogdan discusses how children can be encouraged to live joyfully.

Let’s face it: Summer is fun. If you live in a location with four seasons, especially if you live where much of the year is chilly or outright cold, the end of summer can bring mixed feelings or outright sadness. Less sunshine, fewer options for outdoor activities and the end of unstructured fun. Children not wanting to go back to school might also contribute.

Francis Fernandez, in his wonderful series In Conversation With God, reminds us of the importance of embracing joy.

God wants the home where we live to be a bright and cheerful home, never a dark and unhappy place, full of tension due to egocentricity and lack of mutual comprehension.

So how can we combat such feelings? Some situations in life don’t lend themselves to cheerfulness. We may not be able to just pull ourselves out of it, and professional help might be needed. But there often things we can do to help our children to embrace joy and to show them that it’s possible to look at things through the lens of God’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Going Back to School

In some places, school has already started, but there are many others for whom the upcoming end of summer signals a loss of freedom and a great reduction in time for fun. If your child is gloomy because school has started or is about to start, there are things you can do.

If your child vocalizes how they feel about the start of school, you can direct their thoughts in a more positive direction with questions.

• Well, you do like recess, don’t you?

• How about gym? Isn’t gym fun?

• Won’t it be nice to see your friends more often?

• Maybe you could make some new friends!

Ask what they think about their new teacher. Are they anxious about the new teacher? You can offer to make some suggestions.

• Want some tips about getting along well with any teacher?

• Teachers always love students who do their very best to do what the teacher says. You could do that. Teachers also love to be asked by a student if there’s anything the student could do to help the teacher. That’s easy. But if she tells you something, be sure to do it.

Talking About Joy

Moms can reference Scripture verses that indicate that the Lord truly wants you to embrace joy: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

You could also refer to examples in your own life when thinking positively and joyfully affected your own feelings, and perhaps even the reactions of others.

Joy is contagious! It really is! Explain this concept to your children. People want to be around cheerful people! Smiling is important.

Making Friends

Explain to your children that complimenting another child makes that child feel good. Suggest they try it!

• Looks like you’re pretty good at that game. Have you played it a long time?

If it’s a child who is new at the school, ask questions to get to know him better.

• Did you move here or just change schools? How do you like it so far?

For young children friendships can be even simpler. Offer to give your child two desserts if they promise to give the extra one to someone else.

Sending Love in the Packed Lunch

Put a little note in your child’s lunch. I think this will be a great school year for you. Love you! Mom. Depending on the child and the circumstances you could say I love you so much! Have a great day.

Or keep a hidden bag of Hershey kisses in the house. Sneak one into their lunch. Enough said! (But keep the bag hidden so it’s only a lunch treat and message.)

If it’s a child too young to read, just include a heart or maybe a picture.

After-School Chats

Having a treat at the ready after school also sweetens the arrival home. If you sit down with the child, you give him the opportunity to talk. I suggest not peppering him with questions if the child is an introvert. Just be there in case he would like to talk.

An open-ended question might help. Any highs or lows in school today? If they have nothing to say, try telling them what your highs and lows were.

My experience with introverts has always been to not push it. If they can tell you would really like them to talk, they will find your encouragement annoying. In that case, I would just be ready to listen.

If we as mothers are positive and optimistic, we can spread that joy to our children. Let’s practice what we’re trying to preach!

Have I tried with great effort to live a grace-filled, joyful life?

Lord, please help us all to live in the reality of your love and mercy.

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Copyright 2026 Rosemary Bogdan
Images: Canva