A Back-to-School Tradition That Keeps Kids Talking

Thoughtful prompts, a meaningful letter, and the dinner-table trick that gets you beyond “fine.”

There’s a particular kind of quiet the night before school starts. Backpacks are ready by the door. Lunches are packed. And somewhere in between checking the alarm for the third time and laying out tomorrow’s outfit, there’s this feeling — equal parts excitement and nerves — that you want to hold onto this moment before it’s gone.

We think that feeling is worth doing something with!

This year, we’re starting a tradition: the night-before-school letter. One page, written by you, for them, the night before the first day. Not a to-do list. Not a pep talk. Just a few honest lines about who they are right now, and what you’re hoping for them this year.

You don’t need to be a writer. You just need a few good questions to get you started, so we did the hard part for you!