It’s back-to-school season: You’ve got all the items on your kids’ supply lists, crisp and clean new outfits, and you’ve stocked the pantry with treats for their packed lunches. New backpacks and new shoes are lined up by the front door, and you’re feeling ready to go.

Don’t forget about the most important part of your children’s upbringing: their Catholic faith! Starting a new school year is a great time to introduce new habits so your family can live out the faith more fully. As a mom of four kids, three of whom are school age, I’m proposing realistic, easy-to-implement practices of the faith your family can begin this fall.

These back-to-school tips are specifically geared toward supporting the normal rhythm of your day during the school year, whether sending your kids to school or home schooling.

1. As you’re getting ready for school: Listen to sacred music or praise-and-worship tunes. Mornings can be difficult when trying to get everyone awake, dressed, groomed, fed, and ready for the day. Set the tone with peace and prayerfulness, and remember that those hymns and songs are prayers to offer to God.

2. During the day: Parents, set aside time for individual prayer. There was a time in my life when I made all sorts of excuses for why I “didn’t have time” to pray (and you can read about some of my best excuses in The Prayer Book for Tired Parents). However, once I resolved to find time, I suddenly was able to find more pockets of time for prayer. For some parents, it is the time right after the school bus comes or on the car ride after dropping kids off. It might be on your lunch break or during the baby’s nap time. For home-schooling moms, it might be a designated time when the kids are coloring, reading or praying on their own.

3. At the end of the school day: Allow for quiet prayer time, followed by your family Rosary. I’ve seen from a number of sources, including anecdotal evidence from other parents, that some kids tend to be absolutely wild at the end of the school day. Their rambunctious behavior may be because they’ve been cooped up in school all day, forced to sit quietly, follow instructions, and conform to classroom rules; and, when they get home, they let loose! Even for my home-schooled children, between 4 and 5 p.m. is what we call “the saint-making hour” because the kids are tired, hungry and riled up, and it’s sanctifying for everyone. To give space for kids (and parents) to decompress, allow for a small snack and quiet time after school, followed by praying together. Homework can wait. Asking about the kids’ day can wait. Try it!

4. Before heading to bed on a school night: Examine conscience and reflect on the day. I recently started doing an evening examen with my oldest daughter, where we talk about the good and the not-so-good of the day. It’s a technique St. Ignatius of Loyola describes in his Spiritual Exercises, where we can come to see our virtues, vices, blessings and God’s grace each day. This also gives me a chance to hear what’s on her heart, where she’s struggling, and see the day through her eyes. It’s a moment of connection I cherish and wish for other parents to have.

5. On Sundays: Establish nonnegotiable rest and family time. With school, sports, music lessons, dance and all sorts of extracurriculars, it’s easy for schedules to get out of control, with some of those activities consuming Sundays. To preserve the preeminence of the Lord’s Day, ensure your family has time together for rest and recreation (after Mass, of course), whether it’s a picnic in the park, a movie night, board games, or time crafting together. In our book, my husband and I talk about how our children see the love of God the Father through the way we love them, and that includes the way we show them how to rest, how to spend time together, and how to enjoy God’s blessings. Nurturing this time will strengthen your family’s bond and further build positive connections to our heavenly family.

6. Once a month: Practice the First Saturday devotion with confession. Every family should strive to get to confession once a month (I’m sure we all can come up with plenty of things to confess!), and doing so through the First Saturday Devotion is a beautiful way to honor the Blessed Mother as a family, as you strive to grow in faith together.

7. Together as a family: Adopt a patron saint or patron saints for the school year. Whether you pick one saint for the school year or write your own family litany of saints, your family can lean on the intercession of specific saints to guide you through the school year. Some favorites of mine, who are related to education for various reasons, are St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joseph of Cupertino, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. John Vianney, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. Hildegard and St. Joseph Calasanz — and there are many more to choose from.

You’ll notice that, for the most part, these tips prioritize making connections with your children throughout the day. As St. Theodore Guerin once said, “Love the children first, and then teach them.” This applies both to education and to our faith.

Prayers for a peaceful, faith-filled school year!