For those of us with kids still in the home, or still looking to us for insight and support, we must take the time to decide what type of lives we hope for our children, and then parent in a way that will make that life a possibility for them. We must parent today with that end-goal in mind. We must focus on the long-game and not get distracted by the pressures and influences of the popular culture.
Perhaps we can help our children to rediscover their amazing human potential and their purpose. Perhaps we need to look back to shows like Little House on the Prairie, or the Waltons, or listen to the stories of those who have lived lives of heroic selflessness.
What if a school district were to replicate the format of the Summit and create a similar list of action items; what if a school district was sincere about highlighting and solving the most critical issues in education in their community; what if a school district would continue to assemble the community group to address these challenges head on. If we all worked together, what solutions could we come up with to welcome and encourage parents to re-engage in their students’ education?
We are not talking about a New Year’s resolution here. This is not a question of denying our humanity and overcoming our human desires / weaknesses. This is a matter of setting your mind right, so that you can become fully human and fully alive. Our negative thoughts, self-doubt and our low expectations are the only barriers preventing us from accomplishing our goals.
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures fall, our natural instinct is to go into hibernation mode. We become less active, we sleep more than we should, we watch more screen time, and we hunker down until springtime. This reflex can have negative health affects for ourselves and our families, but can also result in seasonal depression and other mental health challenges. As Wisconsin parents, we need to fight the impulse to hibernate, and proactively prepare for a productive and energized winter.
What will higher education look like 10 years from today? If you have an 8-year-old at home, what will her options be when she turns 18? Only time will tell, but the landscape will certainly be dramatically different.
Parenting can be very challenging, and confronting our own death and making a will is just another one of those uncomfortable parenting tasks that fall on our shoulders. Making a will is not about you, it is about your children.
Join us for an audio discussion about kids and friendships on this episode of "Focus Fox Valley" with Haley Tenpas.
Although avoiding sickness altogether is not likely, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your kids will suffer less and bounce back faster from these unwelcomed visitors.
How can we as a community begin to empower parents to reconnect and engage in their students’ education in a positive and proactive manner?
