Partners in Parenting

“What Season Is It?”

With the bitter cold we’ve been experiencing, I’ve been looking ahead at the 10-day forecast quite a bit.  My hope is to be encouraged by looking ahead at the warm weather coming our way soon.  I mean, really, March is only a few days away, and March means Spring.  Spring means warmer weather.  Warmer weather mean more time spent outside.  I’ve been looking ahead with lots of discouragement though.  March is going to get here, but the warmer days don’t really seem to be coming with it.  I said to myself yesterday while looking at the forecast, “What season is it, anyway?”  I was merely expressing my frustration with the continual cold weather.  Just then, my son sent me a text message.

That reminded me that parenting has different seasons.  I watch parents arrive at school every day.  Some turn left and head down to Kindergarten – 5^th Grade.  Others turn right toward 6^th Grade – 8^th Grade.  These students are very different based upon their season of life.  All parents are experiencing very different “seasons” of their role as parents.  The constant is that parents are still parents (yes, even when children are 35 or older), and your children will always be your children (yes, even when children are 35 or older).  The “seasons” of growing up change.  The “seasons” of parenting your children change.  The constant is that parents and children are forever connected in a loving relationship that needs to be fostered in order to endure as the “seasons” change.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Family Discussion Points!

Discuss what stages or seasons each person in the family is in right now.  (Parents, I pray your kids don’t tell you that you are just plain oldJ)

Talk about how growing up changes for kids.  Parents, this is a good time to listen more than anything.

Talk about how parenting changes as kids grow up.  Kids, this is a good time to listen more than anything.

Talk about the “season” that is ahead in the next few years like:  Kindergarten, middle school, high school, college, more freedom, beginning a sport or activity, etc.