Whether your children attend public school, private school or you homeschool, there is nothing more exciting than those first days of classes. New school supplies, books full of interesting new things to learn and time with friends for kids and moms all add to the promise of great things this year.
Unfortunately, not everything about school is great. All sorts of things can happen in the course of a school year that can pull your children and even your family farther and farther away from God. The school day can be full of temptations for everyone. Your children’s teachers or textbooks can give them false or slanted information that will begin separating your child from God. Peers can influence your children to experiment with things better left untouched. It’s enough to send even the most excited parent back home in tears of anxiety.
There are a couple of quick things you can do each morning before school to help keep everyone connected to God during the day. They only take a couple of minutes, but can help remind your children of the really important goals in life.
- Send your kids off to school each day bathed in prayer. Trying setting your alarm five minutes early and pray in your bed until the snooze alarm sounds. Cover any concerns you or your children have about the coming day. Ask God to surround your child with people who will help build her faith. When your children first awaken, pull everyone together for a quick morning prayer or pray special requests at the breakfast table or in the car on the way to school. Kids will feel that extra protection all day long.
- As you say goodbye to your children for the day, remind them whose they are. Many families have a special saying they repeat to their children every morning as they wave goodbye. “Remember who you are and whose you are.” is one of the more popular. It is a subtle reminder they not only belong to God but also they belong to a family who makes worshipping and serving God a top priority. You are reminding them in a way that God is part of their DNA. Do they still have free choice? Absolutely! You aren’t trying to control them, just remind them in whose camp your family has chosen to remain.
That’s it. Those two simple things can make a huge difference in the choices your child makes during the day. They know you love them enough to pray about their concerns to God and that God has heard your prayers. They are reminded they have a higher calling than good grades and lots of friends. Being reminded of those things daily can help make this your child’s best school year ever.