Today marks the last week of summer before my oldest starts first grade. So far today we have learned Mrs. Jenkins will be Grant's teacher for the year and we shopped for school supplies on the first grade list getting really tired in the process.
On my way home from shopping I began to think hard. I thought about my big boy. What else does he need? How else can I help him prepare for school?
The ideas came flowing into my mind. Let him (strongly suggest without an alternative)try new things. Try new HARD things. Try and overcome fears, obstacles, weaknesses, bad habits. Give him plenty of opportunities to think and concentrate. Do not allow him to take the path of least resistance all the time.
Once home while the ideas where fresh in my mind I planned a family home evening. We would practice the swimming skills Grant has learned for 5 years but has been too afraid to try. Next, we'd play catch...something Grant claims you could die doing. Lastly, we would list 9 Hard things we wanted to try and be able to do by the end of the school year.
Family home evening time came and In the end we were not able to swim due to an accident of the diaper variety but we were able to have a great lesson, sing some great songs, we all made a list. Mom, Dad, and Grant...Spence is too little. And finally Grant and Matt had a very successful game of catch. Matt coached and Grant concentrated.
The night was a success. I felt all warm inside. Simple and basic lessons learned.
(P.S. my tenth goal is to become a much better writer! I have a long way to go.)
1 comment:
What a great idea. I think we'll do the same thing with Porter. He's a big anxious about trying new things too. Riding a bike being one of them.... Who can be a kid in America and not ride a bike! Nice work Hollands.
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