Before the start of each school year we spend time and money to make sure everything is ready. We buy new school clothes, backpacks, pencil holders and all the other gadgets our kids might need.
Your child might be ready to learn but that doesn’t mean he’s ready for school.
As a parent you must prepare your child for more than academic success. Below are 3 facts that will help you better understand your child and prepare him for success beyond the report card.
1. Your child’s grades aren’t really that important
It’s easy to get focused on the grade point, but it’s really not the most important thing in life.
When King Solomon wrote a letter to his son he put it this way:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction Pro 1:7
If you want your child to be smart the best thing to do is first teach him to fear the Lord. A child who has a proper understanding of God and respect for God will succeed!
However, without the fear of God knowledge is left unchecked and can do great damage not only in the life of our child but in the lives of those around him too!
2. Your child’s heart is a battleground
Every day you send your child off to school you are also sending them off into a war.
It’s a war for their heart!
As a parent your primary job is to instruct and direct the heart of your child. Again King Solomon instructs his son.
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Pro 4:20-23
Do you have a plan for guarding your child’s heart?
3. Your child’s future is being cemented now
Raising a child is like dealing with wet concrete!
It’s hard work, it’s messy work and your time is limited!
Once the concrete has hardened the only thing you can do to change it is take a hammer and break it up and start over again.
Solomon knew that the childhood years were vital too and that’s why he wrote:
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Pro 22:6
All children receive training. There are only two questions we can ask.
- What kind of training does my child receive?
- Who does my child receive most of his training from?
Dan Erickson
September 2, 2013Unfortunately, I think they need to know about bullies, and in the future my daughter will need to know more about the bad element she will find among our towns population.
Caleb
September 2, 2013I think you’re right Dan and that’s also where the battle for the heart comes into play. Somehow we as parents have to prepare our children’s hearts to deal with those situations before they happen.
Lisa notes...
September 2, 2013Agree with all three! Even sending my daughter off to college, those three still remain applicable. Her heart is still subject to change (well, ALL our hearts still are, for that matter), but I continue to pray that the love of Jesus will overflow from her heart onto others that she comes into contact with.
Caleb
September 2, 2013Lisa, you’re right, prayer should also be a big factor as we send our children off to school. Thanks for sharing!
floyd
September 2, 2013Awesome post and analogy of wet concrete! I’ll definitely remember that… Our kids need to know that they have the love of our Father and us face the world and His strength within. Fear and revere our Father the fears of this world lose their sting. Excellent post, Caleb. I have one more that’s not completely set up yet…
Caleb
September 3, 2013Have you ever worked concrete before Floyd? It really is difficult and messy but in a way it’s easier than raising children!
floyd
September 3, 2013Oh yeah, as a contractor I truly grasp the analogy. Before the mud shows up the ground needs to be prepped, the tools in place for quick use, and if it starts to get ahead of you the work is infinitely harder and the job will be less than perfect and within tolerances… It really is a perfect analogy!
Dave Arnold
September 3, 2013Good thoughts Caleb. My son is 3, but I think about this a lot. The world is a battlefield, & as parents, we need to prepare them. Thanks for this great reminder!
Caleb
September 3, 2013Dave, my youngest is 3, it’s a fun age and amazing how much they actually start to understand already!
Dave Arnold
September 3, 2013Yea, I agree. It’s a fun age. We are truly blessed – and another one on the way 🙂
Caleb
September 3, 2013Bob, thanks for sharing! I think your experience is similar to millions of Christians in many countries who are not allowed to do “evangelism” on the street corner yet they are bold in their witness and are able to share on an individual level with many. I’m sure there are many parents who are thankful for your influence in the public school system.
Dan Black
September 4, 2013Great thoughts, Caleb. Reading #2 reminded me of the importance of praying for our kids. Praying places a hedge of protection around the heart, soul, and life of our children. Thank you for writing this superb post.
Caleb
September 4, 2013Prayer is important, it’s the one thing we can do even when our kids aren’t around that can make a big difference.
Dan Black
September 5, 2013Yes it is. Praying and keep praying no matter what.
Barb Raveling
September 10, 2013I remember going to a homeschool seminar when my kids were little and the speaker asked us to ask ourselves, “What do you want your kids to get out of school? What are the most important things they need to learn before they leave home?” I remember at the time thinking that academics weren’t that important to me.
What I really wanted them to learn were things like how to be self-starters, how to overcome procrastination, how to not worry about what others think, how to develop a daily quiet time, how to communicate well, both in writing, speech, and interpersonal communication skills.
Those are things you can teach your kids whether they’re homeschooled or public schooled, although of course there is more time if they’re at home. We homeschooled ours and now that are last one is graduating in the spring we’re grateful for all those years, but parents who send their kids to school also have opportunities to help their kids see life and the kids at school through a biblical perspective. Parents just need to help them process – same with kids at home.
Caleb
September 10, 2013Barb, that’s a great question to ask about your kids schooling. We homeschool our kids but also have experience with them in public schools. One thing we have noticed after switching to homeschool is the importance of teaching our children to be self starters. Some of them are more naturally inclined to that and some aren’t.
I think all the things you mentioned are vitally important. I would add that I want my kids to learn faithfulness in their work, seeing things through to the end and completing them in an honorable way.
Barb Raveling
September 10, 2013That’s a great addition – perseverance is so important. I suppose also learning when to quit is important. And I love the “completing them in an honorable way.” Great.
TCAvey
September 16, 2013Great post. I wish all parents would read this.
We can’t just trust our kids to anyone. We have a responsibility as parents to ensure our kids are not only safe but learning foundational truths that will help them succeed in life.
Caleb
September 17, 2013Yes, the responsibility is huge, but with God’s help it is doable.
TCAvey
September 17, 2013with His help…all things are possible 🙂
Loren Pinilis
September 20, 2013I think it’s critical to think of who your kids will be hanging around when they’re at school. I see that being more important than just about anything else.
Caleb
September 21, 2013Yes, Loren, that’s a huge factor!
Thomas Mason
January 17, 2014This is helpful information, Caleb. It shows me the deficiencies I have now and gives a snapshot of what needs to improve.