Another week in the books! Whether it flew by or felt like it dragged on forever, you and your kids made it to Friday — and that's worth pausing on for a second.

This weekend, no pressure to do it all. Just a few small ideas below if you're looking for something easy to fill an hour, tidy up before Monday, or make bedtime a little more fun.

For middle and high schoolers, school anxiety often looks less like tears and more like irritability, withdrawal, sleep changes, or suddenly avoiding school conversations. Grades, friendships, heavier workloads, and the transition to a new school year can all add pressure.

🔴 SIGNS TO WATCH FOR

Not just “I’m nervous” — look for:

💬 DON’T ASK “ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT SCHOOL?”

That can feel like an interrogation. Try something more specific:

Then listen before trying to fix it. Teens are often more willing to open up when they don't feel pressured to explain everything immediately.

🧩 MAKE THE TRANSITION SMALLER

Instead of preparing for “the whole school year,” tackle one thing at a time:

⭐ WHEN IT’S MORE THAN NORMAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL NERVES

Some anxiety is normal. Pay closer attention if it doesn't ease after the first month, your teen repeatedly refuses school, has panic attacks, loses interest in things they normally enjoy, or talks about hopelessness or self-harm. Those signs deserve a conversation with a school counselor, pediatrician, or mental-health professional rather than a wait-and-see approach.

THE GOAL ISN’T TO MAKE YOUR TEEN “NOT ANXIOUS.”

It’s to help them feel like they don’t have to handle the pressure alone.

👉 Read the full guide →

Grab some paper and pens (or a shared document if your family's more digital) and put together a one-page "family newspaper" together. Everyone gets a section: a weather report for the week ahead, a sports recap of any backyard games, an advice column, even a comic strip. Read it aloud together when it's done — bonus points if someone wants to be the "news anchor."

Take five minutes Sunday evening to hunt down any library books that are due back this week. Toss them by the door or straight into a backpack so Monday morning doesn't turn into a last-minute search under the couch cushions.

A great pick for mixed ages — everyone races to come up with words in different categories that start with the same letter. It's quick, a little silly, and always ends in someone arguing that their answer definitely counts.

Heard your kid say someone "fanum taxed" their fries? It means taking a bite (or more) of someone else's food — usually as a joke between friends. Consider yourself fluent.

(Answers below!)

Science: A group of owls is called a "parliament."
Language Arts: The longest word you can type using only your left hand is "stewardesses."

However this week went — smooth, chaotic, or somewhere in between — you kept things moving, and that counts for something. Some weeks look like packed lunches and finished homework. Other weeks look like everyone just making it to Friday in one piece. Both are wins.

Weekends don't have to look a certain way either. A slow morning at home is just as good as a busy one out and about. Do what feels right for your family this time around.

Hope your weekend leaves a little extra energy for Monday morning. 🌙

Trivia Answers: