Articles
Helping Our Kids Succeed
For many, our kids going back to school after the summer break is something as parents
we secretly look forward to. Our kids get back into a routine and quit telling us they are bored all
the time. It can also be a little scary. As a parent I can monitor and protect my children from
some of the negative and dangerous things we are bombarded with from the world. But, when
they go to school, they are suddenly surrounded for 8 hours of their day by all kinds of
influences. How can we as parents help our kids?
Talk to them. The most important and helpful thing you can do for your kids is keep the
lines of communication open. They need to know they can talk to you about anything. When
they have questions, answer them. Open ended questions that you can’t give yes or no answers to
are the best. “Tell me about your day.” “What did you do that was fun today?” “What did you
and your friends do at recess?” It needs to go a little deeper than “Did you eat your lunch?” or
“Do you have any homework?” “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an
abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
Ask about their friends. Talk about the importance of choosing good friends and being
a good friend. Our kids need to know that they need to have people that will help them do the
right thing and to stand up for what is right. Helping their friends make good choices is important
too. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm”
(Pr. 13:20). “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’" (1 Cor. 15:33).
Encourage your children in their work. Look for the positive and encourage them to
try their best. Finding balance for our children can be hard. Motivating them to strive to do better
or pushing them too hard is a fine line that parents must walk. Having honest discussions with
our children and their teachers about our children’s progress is important. “Let’s not get tired of
doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving” (Col. 3:23-24). ~B Tolbert
