Megan, Partnership Coordinator at Kids Matter, thinks about new beginnings, challenges, and the journey of growth.
After the whirlwind of the summer holidays filled with laughter, lazy mornings, too much ice cream, numerous challenges, and the occasional scramble for activities… September is here!
I love that alongside the return to routine and structure, September also offers the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. As a mum, I feel the mix of excitement and anticipation that comes with the start of the new academic year – in the folding of slightly-too-big uniform (‘you’ll grow into it over the year!’), the packing of school bags, and the dreams of what the year might hold. It’s a moment full of possibilities and a time of renewed hope – a chance for my kids to grow, learn, and flourish in new ways.
But it can also bring challenges and anxieties. New beginnings aren’t always easy, and the pressures of the new school year can feel overwhelming. The excitement of fresh starts can be tempered by worries about academic success, the shift in routine, the back-to-school financial strain, or the unknowns of a new classroom or school. Even as we embrace the potential for growth, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions – hope intertwined with concern, excitement shadowed by uncertainty.
Just as September offers the opportunity for new beginnings and growth, our Kids Matter programmes provide parents with a fresh start in their journey of nurturing and strengthening their families. It’s a chance to reset, to gain new perspectives, to grow in confidence and to build stronger, more resilient connections with their children. The path may have its challenges, but it’s through facing these challenges together that true growth happens. Since working at Kids Matter, I have found it incredibly humbling – and deeply inspiring – to see that parents choose to embark on this journey and continue stepping onward even when emotional and practical challenges arise. This resilience, together with a commitment to positive change is what makes their journey so powerful and their progress so admirable.
So as the summer winds down and the school run beckons, I hope and pray that this next year, with all its challenges and opportunities, is one of blessing for you. May it be a season of renewed hope, growth, learning and flourishing.