Back to School 2017

I think this captures my

daughter's thought processes 

pretty accurately, maybe?

It is now that crazy and exciting time when our kids head back to school.  For me this year will be especially interesting as my daughter moves to high school.  Last year as a freshman she began accumulating her credits toward graduation, but it all gets very real from here on out.

The next three years will hold many questions about the future, and lots of exciting times as we experience her growth and the challenges she, and every other student, will face.  Are we ready?  It is likely that no one is ever ready, but we believe that the base upon which her life has been built will serve her well.

So you might ask, what is that base?  It is a base built upon a solid Christian faith, the importance of family, learning decision making by actually making decisions, and not biting off more than you can chew.  Sound simplistic, well it probably is, but so far so good.  No we don't have it all figured out, and there will be plenty of opportunities for our daughter, or us as parents, to totally blow it.  That is when we will learn the very difficult lessons of forgiveness, grace, mercy, and reflection.

Are these characteristics present in your life and home?  Each of these are essential in order to move forward after the errors, failures, and letdowns that we face.  How we respond to adversity is a powerful revelation of character, and can also be a difference maker in the eventual outcomes we see.

So as back to school time comes and quickly leads to the routines and flows of the school year take a moment or two and think about where you are with your kids.  Consider that each school year that begins marks another step closer to their leaving home and walking in the world as adults.  Will they be ready?  We cannot live their lives for them, so our goal must be to prepare them daily to be ready for this coming eventuality.

Pray for all our children and be there as a friend, mentor, or listening ear.  Just as we need those things, they need them in spades!

Make today GREAT!

Here are a few links to help:

27 Back to School Organizing Tips

American Academy of Pediatrics Back to School Tips

Princeton Review Study Tips