10 Things You Need To Do To Improve Your Child’s Happiness and Enthusiasm For Life (You Won’t BELIEVE How Simple Number 7 Is!)
Well, hello! If I’ve drawn you in by my shameless clickbait, let me assure you that I’m equally distracted and fascinated by anything that promises a quick fix and an instant result.
Tricks to improve your memory! Want to extend the battery life of your smartwatch? With a promise to tell you the money-making secrets that banks don’t want you to know, the Internet dangles these tantalising promises that are literally just a click away.
There are many reasons why as humans we find ourselves drawn to clickbait information. One writer suggests that‘powerful lists and how-to headlines … promise a simple, step-by-step solution that acts like a lighthouse on a foggy night for our overworked, overstressed minds’.
“There are many complex and difficult aspects to raising children.”
It’s true that many of us are overworked or overstressed. And a step-by-step solution is just what we need.
My son is feeling really down. He’s quite withdrawn and doesn’t want to talk, he just wants to play computer games.
My daughter’s friends don’t want to play with her in the sandpit. She doesn’t want to go to school.
My teenager has exams coming up and she is feeling stressed and fragile.
My child is anxious. Talking about school makes them feel teary and distressed.
There are many complex and difficult aspects to raising children. As parents, teachers and a school community, we sometimes find ourselves struggling to help our children navigate issues concerning social media, mental health, complex friendship dynamics, self-esteem and identity.
“As much as we would love it, there isn’t a great, easy, three-step shortcut to make it all better. ”
It’s not easy. And as much as we would love it, there isn’t a great, easy, three-step shortcut to make it all better. We work daily in community with caring teachers, with counsellors, with doctors and with mental health professionals in order to care for the individual needs of students in our school.
And there is always, always hope. Even though our heart as a parent is often to try to quickly fix our children’s problems, there are many situations in our school where I see the quiet and often slow work of God in bringing about good things for His children. As we continue to work with families to care for our students, we are drawn daily to the promise of God’s care and provision for his children. One of my favourite verses from Isaiah proclaims For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13.
May we continue to commit our students to prayer and trust God to provide for each of their needs.
Stelle Carmichael — Head of Students