PARENTING TIPS FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR

Santa Clara, California

School bells will be ringing soon at the North Valley Baptist Schools! My question is always the same to you:

Where did the summer go?

I have heard comments on both sides of the spectrum such as “I am SO ready for school to start,” “I wish we had a few more weeks of summer,” “My children are ready for school, but I am not,” and on it goes. I am usually eager for the fall months to begin so that everything can be back on schedule. Our three children have not been at North Valley Baptist Schools now for ten years; but this year, Pastor and I are thrilled that four of our seven grandchildren (eight in January) will be going to school at the same school from which their parents had graduated! What a blessing! So while I will not experience the rush of getting kids out the door tomorrow morning, I will be in a hurry to get to school to watch those grandkids go to kindergarten (two of them), second grade, and fourth grade!

Pastor and I have had the privilege to be in several different places this summer. One of my/our favorite things to do is watch people! Sometimes, my husband will say to me,“You’re staring,” to which I would usually reply, “I know, but it’s so much fun!” I am positive that many of you can relate to that! One thing that has really caught our attention this summer is watching parents with their children. Times have changed since we had small children in the home! Sometimes, my husband and I will look at each other in amazement as we watch these young parents and some not so young, struggling to get their children to obey, which is why Pastor’s message on Sunday night was so needed. If you will just hear the instruction from the pulpit from the man of God and put it into practice, you will save yourself a lot of heartache. Did we have a perfect home? No, but it was a little bit of “Heaven on earth.” We enjoyed our home immensely!

Below are a few suggestions that might be a help to you this school year (and all the time):

• Seek the advice of someone “older and wiser” than you. That means you probably have to seek the advice of someone 40 – 45 if you have small children and 50 -55 for advice on teenagers. While many parents are seeking to do the task of parenting well, they aren’t ready to give advice until the “proof of the pudding” is in. Seek counsel from those that are “seasoned.”
• Do not argue or debate with your child. Why argue with a three-year-old? Mom and Dad need to learn early on that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated.
• Never give a command from the other room. You must gain your child’s attention through the eye gate first. Did you know that, realistically, your child might NOT hear you while you bark out orders from the other room?
• Do not give your child a cell phone!
• Use the Bible as your primary Source in rearing your children but invest in some other reading materials on the subject as well.
• Determine the value of God in your home. You cannot raise godly children without God.
• Parents must be on the same page with one another.
• Listen to preaching from your pastor.
• Listen to your children when they speak (and many times, listen to what they are not saying).
  
• Inconsistency does not produce consistency.
• Parenting is for a lifetime.
• Be willing to say “I am sorry” to your children when you have made mistakes with them. They will respect you for it.
• Mean what you say and say what you mean.
• Help your children make wise decisions.
• Get your children on a schedule. This will not happen if your life is out of order. If you can’t quite “get your act together,” ask someone who can help you.
• Limit television, DVDs, and other media. A very small amount of time should be allowed for this.
• Work at being the best parent you can be!
• Talk to your children. Give them your undivided attention.
• Teach manners and practice them yourself. We live in a rude society.
• Pray daily for your children. Do you have a prayer list for each child?
• Do not expect more from your child than you do of yourself.

This portion of your life goes so fast. Seize it! One day, your children will be grown; and you, too, will be watching your grandchildren go off to school. Although Pastor and I are not perfect, the “proof of the pudding” thus far has been delicious!

Have a great school year!
Mrs. Trieber

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindie Trieber

Cindie Trieber has served the people of North Valley Baptist Church for more than three decades as the Pastor’s Wife. She teaches in the college and is a godly mother and “Nana." She recently completed her first book entitled With All My Heart.