Parent Teacher Conferences

          When I was a kid I dreaded the day of parent teacher conferences. I knew my report card would be good, but my behavior was shaky to say the least. I was focused on being the class clown. I knew that once my Mom sat with the teacher she would hear all about the things I did and I would be grounded. As I grew I learned that having a sense of humor was okay at the appropriate times. This is a lesson I will be passing down to my son Jude (pictured left). Jude is 7 years old and the second oldest. His teacher informed us he is doing well with his studies, but his behavior can be some what disruptive. Patience has never been one of his strong suites, but it is one we have been working on. After hearing this I was a little disappointed I'll admit, but I knew the best way to handle this was with patience, love, and prayer. Now it will be a stern lesson for Jude, but he will have our support and encouragement as we work on exercise's to improve his behavior and patience. Today I thought back to Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
          Nikkie's parent teacher conference was actually something new to me. It was a student lead conference. Nikkie would show us where she sat, and the work she had completed that quarter. Nikkie's teacher only had wonderful things to say about her behavior. She even went on to tell us that Nikkie is one of her top students, and even scored the highest reading grade out of the entire second grade! We were very proud, but we know Nikkie worked hard to get there. Just the year before her grades and behavior were below par. We spent that year and that summer working diligently with her. Improving her manners and doing extra work at home. Next, Nikkie showed us the Valentine's boxes her class had made. Nikkie and Alyssa made theirs into a hot air balloon. The competition looked fierce, but were hoping Nikkie wins one of the contests for her hard work.
          I realized after going to the conferences, at Jude and Nikkie's schools, how many absent parents are out there. My more troubling realization is how much worse this issue must be in lower income neighborhoods. I want to remind parents out there that we need to be present for our children. We need to get involved in their lives however we have to do it. We, as mothers and fathers, are their role models. If we neglect our responsibility then the children may find role models on TV or from an older irresponsible group of friends. They could even assume its okay to be an absent parent by example. Remember that things like work, rest, video games, social media, and TV have no eternal value. The lives and souls of our children do. Protect them and nourish their souls to be men and women of integrity. That they will always keep God at the the center of their lives, and share the salvation of Jesus. I'll end today's blog with Ephesians 6:1-4
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  ⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."