It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

No I don't mean Christmas, for many parents the Target commercial is spot on!  It's the time of year when we send our children back to school.  My son informed me he wants hints on going back to school.  I could give you advice on what to wear the first day of school, or what to buy for school supplies.  But I want to go another way.

How can I help you with your back to school preparation?

1. Confidence:  It's a big bad world out there.  Children and adults for that matter need to have a firm foundation. What does that mean? That means you need to make sure your family knows they are loved.  Love is the basis for healthy self confidence.

2. Status doesn't matter:  If a person has self confidence then status or the need to have all the "right" clothing, hanging with all the "right" people, or doing all the "cool" things won't be important.

3. Be yourself:  Trying to be someone your not, is exhausting.  To have a great experience at school being your authentic self is the only way to make it through.  You will find friends with your same interests, you will be happy going to school everyday.  There will always be someone out there who will want to make you feel bad about yourself.  If you are true to who you are that won't matter.

4. Be mindful of others:  Be on the look out for people who feel inferior, who feel they don't have friends to hang with.  Being kind will never be a wrong choice. Be helpful and uplifting to those around you.  You will never be sorry for being a true friend.

5. Not everyone is going to be nice to you: It is a sad fact of life.  There will always be school bullies or people who for no good reason will look down on you. Who will treat you like you are no better than a bug to be squashed.  If you have authentic friends and are kind to others, you will find you are not alone and there is safety and strength in numbers.

6. Be prayerful:  I know this one sounds kind of strange especially if you don't think of yourself as a spiritual person.  But having God in your corner will never be a bad idea.


Until next time