Ecclesiastes 3:1, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
One of my goals each morning is to get my kids’ school day started right.
The idea came after reading Elizabeth George’s, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart.” She encourages moms, “to work diligently to send every family member off in a good mood.”
As you can imagine, this requires a great deal of intentionality and preparation. Bad moods and grumpiness are not allowed. And although I cannot control my kids’ behaviors and attitudes, I can control mine. As such, it’s important that I try to set the right tone each morning in our house before we all leave for our days. Here are a few strategies I find helpful for doing so and increasing the changes for positive send off.
- Get up early to prepare yourself. Reading the Bible and having your quiet time are great ways to prepare your heart to greet your family before they show up in your kitchen. Even if it’s only 10 minutes – it’s the most important 10 minutes of the day and it makes a big difference.
- Set a peaceful, non-hurried tone. Most people don’t like being in a hurry because it perpetuates bad moods and potentially rough starts. When we are hurried, we tend to bark at one another. And barking at Mom never works out well.:) So establish a routine of everyone waking up on time. That habit also allows some margin if something goes wrong and helps increase the likelihood of a peaceful start to the day.
- Save correction or harsh tones for later. I try to address “issues” after school or in the evenings – but I make sure my expectations are clear ahead of time. This approach seems to work well with my kids. It does not mean that I ignore something when firm discipline is needed, but if at all possible, I wait until they come home, and we have more time. The exception might be if you have young children; you probably should not wait.
- Upbeat but limited conversation. Especially with boys. Don’t be a thermometer, but be the thermostat. Set the tone of your home and morning by being upbeat and positive.
- Pray for them or with them. When I drove my kids to school, I prayed with them before the start of each new day.
- Hug them and tell them you love them. Always, always communicate your love. The world is harsh. Kids can be cruel. Our children need to know that home is a safe place – as are you.
I’m in an entirely new season this school year as my morning time with my kids is more limited. I no longer drive them to school. Instead, I walk both of them individually to their car. Hug them. Tell them I love them. Then wave and wait until they are out of the driveway and out of sight.
Regardless if your kids walk to the bus stop or if you take them to school, the routine and philosophy stay the same. Do your best to get your kids day started right. We have such a limited amount of time with our kids. Make the most of every single day in each season of motherhood.
It’s less than four weeks away…
Mother/Daughter Retreat – Grades 4th – 7th
Don’t miss this special event!
Save the Date: October 12th!
