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Cultivating P.R.I.D.E. in Your Child This School Year & Beyond

On the door leading out to our garage, there’s a sign that’s been there for years—a simple but powerful reminder for our family. It reads: P.R.I.D.E. Personal Responsibility in Daily Excellence. It’s not just a catchy phrase but a call to action for each of us to take ownership of our choices, our effort, and our attitude, every single day.

As we head into a new school year, I want to share why P.R.I.D.E. has become a cornerstone in our home, and how you can use it to help your child grow into a confident, responsible young adult.

What Does Daily Excellence Mean to You?

Before we can expect our kids to live out daily excellence, it’s important to define what that looks like for your family. For us, it means showing up with our best effort, treating others with kindness, and taking responsibility for our actions—no matter how big or small the task.

Why P.R.I.D.E. Works for Kids

  • Builds Accountability- Kids learn that they are responsible for their attitude, their homework, their preparation, and how they treat others. It shifts the mindset from blame to ownership.
  • Promotes Consistency- The “daily” part matters. Excellence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about trying your best, even when it’s hard or you don’t feel like it. This helps kids develop perseverance and grit.
  • Fosters Intrinsic Motivation- When children take pride in their work and behavior, they aren’t just looking for rewards or trying to avoid punishment. They’re developing internal standards for success.
  • Encourages a Growth Mindset- Excellence is a journey, not a destination. P.R.I.D.E. helps kids understand that growth comes through effort and intentional habits.
  • Strengthens Character and Confidence- A child who learns to be personally responsible feels more in control of their world. That builds confidence, resilience, and self-respect.
  • Sets Clear Expectations- You’re reinforcing that effort, responsibility, and attitude are in your child’s control. This is far more effective than simply focusing on grades or achievements.

P.R.I.D.E.—Personal Responsibility in Daily Excellence—is more than a slogan (one that I heard about long ago). It’s a lifestyle and a mindset that helps our kids grow into responsible, capable, and grounded young adults. When we use it as a daily guidepost, we’re giving our children one of the best tools for success: the power to own their effort and attitude, every single day.

Ready to Make This School Year Matter?

Bring P.R.I.D.E. to life in your home with my “Make This School Year Matter” toolkit. You’ll get a P.R.I.D.E. acronym sign—available as a printable download or already printed and laminated for you. Hang it where your family will see it every day as a reminder to choose personal responsibility and daily excellence.

Learn more or purchase your toolkit at amycarney.com/shop.

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6 Ways to Help Your Family Thrive This School Year

As parents, it’s easy to get swept up in the back-to-school rush—responding to emails, buying supplies, and just trying to keep up. But what if we paused, took a breath, and chose to approach this school year with intention? 

Here are six ways to help your family step into the new school year with confidence, joy, and a sense of purpose.

1. Claim a Word or Theme for the School Year

Instead of letting the school year happen to you, take a moment to decide what you want this year to be about for your family. In our home, we have a sign on the door that says P.R.I.D.E.—Personal Responsibility in Daily Excellence. It’s a daily reminder of what we value and strive for, especially with two kids still at home heading out this door to school each day.

P.R.I.D.E.- personal-responsibility-in-daily-excellence

This PRIDE sign is available in my Make This School Year Matter Printable or Printed Toolkit HERE!

Consider choosing a word or theme together as a family—maybe it’s “Growth,” “Kindness,” or “Courage.” Post it somewhere visible. Let it guide your conversations and decisions. This simple act can set a purposeful tone for the months ahead.

2. Express Expectations

A new school year is the perfect time to revisit family routines and responsibilities. What does a typical day look like? Who packs lunches, sets out clothes, or makes sure everyone gets out the door on time?

Hold a New School Year Kick-off Family Meeting. Go over everyone’s roles and expectations for the week. For older kids, consider creating family “contracts” for things like smartphone use, driving privileges, or homework routines. Yes, your kids might roll their eyes and wish for “normal” parents, but clear expectations help everyone involved. (I may or may not be speaking from experience!)

My Make This School Year Matter toolkit helps you define and express your expectations, while having fun!

3. Focus on the Right Goals

It’s easy to get caught up in grades, test scores, and achievements. But as intentional parents, we know our real goal is to raise confident, compassionate, and responsible young adults.

Take time to reflect: Who do you want your child to become by the time they leave your home? What character traits matter most? This year, let’s focus less on perfect report cards and more on building strong character in our kids. (And just maybe straight A’s will come along with that.)

4. Step Back and Support

As our children grow, our role shifts from doing for them to supporting them as they do for themselves. It’s not always easy to step back, but it’s essential for their growth.

Ask yourself: What can my child take ownership of this year? Maybe it’s managing their own homework, making their lunch, or setting their alarm to get themselves up in the mornings. Be there to guide and encourage, but let them experience the satisfaction (and sometimes the struggle) of doing things on their own. 

READ: 8 THINGS TO STOP DOING FOR YOUR TEEN THIS SCHOOL YEAR

5. Cultivate Healthy Habits and Regular Rhythms

A thriving school year is built on healthy habits and consistent routines. Consider:

  • Establishing screen-free times, especially before bed or during meals
  • Expecting your kids to pack their own school and sports bags with what they need each day
  • Using a clipboard system for each child to keep track of important papers and forms

These small habits add up, creating a sense of order and peace in your home, helping your family thrive instead of survive.

6. Proactively Preserve School Days Memories

Life moves fast, and it’s easy to put off capturing memories for “someday.” But someday rarely comes. Use this school year as an opportunity to start a School Days Keepsake Album. My You are Loved Album is the perfect way for you to easily include annual first-day photos or the traditional grade-level school photos from each year. 

You’ll be grateful to have this precious yet simple keepsake to gift your child at their high school graduation or beyond!

Let’s choose to parent on purpose this school year, keeping our eyes on what matters most. With a bit of intention, we can create a season filled with confidence, joy, and lasting connection.

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