It’s almost ‘back to school’ time for many. The smell of crayons and new paper is sweet to me. I loved getting new school supplies each fall. The thought of a new school year, the unknown of a new teacher, and new adventures with old friends and the possible new ones was exciting. There was something special about going back to school, and to this day I’m tempted to buy new colors, pens, paper, and notebooks at the back to school sales. As summer comes to a close, I’d like to share my top five tips for this school season.
First – Begin with the end in mind. To have a good day children and adults need to be well-rested. Start now to get in a good bedtime routine that will give you the rest you need to be ready for each new day. Studies show that school age children need nine to twelve hours of sleep each night. Teens need eight to ten hours of sleep.
Second – Decide to wake up thankful and grateful. Each day and literally each moment of each day we pick our moods and attitudes, so make them good ones. My husband and I went on a bus tour of Israel where the tour guide began every day as the bus pulled away from the hotel leading us in the song, “This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made.” Try it, and thank God for another day of opportunity to live, love, and learn. We also prayed for our journey and safety each day.
Third – Minimize distractions and things that could delay or derail your day by being prepared. Choose and set out your clothes the night before, and collect and place books, backpacks, and other items you’ll need in a convenient place to pick them up to go to the bus or the car is one way.
Fourth – Fuel your body with foods that feed your brain as well as your body. Protein rich foods help children and adults make it through until lunch time. If you can prepare breakfast portions ahead of time to reheat in the mornings that can save time, too. With the many technology options available now, it is easy to fuel our souls too with audio Scripture readings from the Bible during breakfast or our commute.
Fifth – Connect with positive and constructive conversations, especially in the mornings. These can set the tone of the day for a child. Tell your children and spouse “I love you,” each morning. When I’m with my grandchildren now, I add “…and God loves you, too!” Pray with and for your family talking to God about every concern while praising Him and asking for His guidance and blessings. Pray silently and pray out loud teaching your children that God cares for us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us. God is listening, loves us, and still answers prayers.
Lastly, here’s a little lagniappe from a Louisiana girl. When everyone returns home for the day, ask each person about their day. Turn off all the phones, televisions, gadgets, and social media devices during dinner/supper. Find out from each member of your family what was good, interesting, surprising, challenging, or even discouraging or less than pleasant about their day. Ask how they feel or felt about various situations, friends, ideas, and things. Talk about how they can learn, grow, cope, and hope from the situations they go through so that they will develop perseverance and resilience when life gets tough – and it will.
One day our children will be on their own, and the mentorship of caring and Christian parents is huge. One of my children told me after finishing college how meaningful our dinner conversations were when we talked about our days during supper time. During college this particular child learned that not all families have that bond of love, interest, and concern. There are many parents that didn’t take the time to converse, connect, or even care to ask how their children were doing and felt. Some parents had no idea what their children were even doing or interested in. Many of these children suffered difficulties and depression as young adults from this neglect of their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Parents are THE God-planned, best-designed, and most important people in the lives of their children to help train and mentor them into adulthood. With God’s help, His Word, prayer, and perseverance, parents can have successful, good and godly families. It takes focus and intentional parenting with purpose.
As our families prepare to go back to school, I hope these tips are useful and helpful. May God bless and guide you and your family in His service.
Written by – Robin House