We can feel the end of the summer in the air, the weather is slowly getting cooler, mornings are crisp, and it is getting dark earlier. Nature is very predictable and the change in seasons show up slowly, regardless of us being ready or not, however, we all slowly adapt. As the weather is changing, we are also reminded that for many people this time of year relates to children going back to school. And parents may feel that their lives are going back to order, and they can follow a schedule once again.
Seasons represent changes in our lives and habits. Summer is a time to relax, to not take things so seriously and to have more fun. Parents tend to let go of tight schedules and rules. Parents and children enjoy this freedom, and they also will slowly welcome getting back into a routine that allows for growth and expansion of knowledge that school provides. Discipline and order are wonderful virtues to be embraced and when we learn to cultivate them, it grows on us making our life simpler and easier.
Perhaps you have noticed the discipline with which God created the world. Day and night have a rhythmic discipline and it doesn’t change. The sun comes out and it sets inviting the moon to come out. The sun never says, “I don’t feel like getting up, I am pressing the snooze button.” The sun comes out with precision at specific time every day. This discipline gives all of us a sense of feeling safe and secure, we know what to expect. Kind, consistent discipline does the same thing for children.
Discipline gives children a sense of safety and security. I am not referring here to discipline as punishment but discipline of behaviors and routines. For example, when my children were growing up, I was very disciplined as a parent during the school year; we ate dinner at the same time every day and after dinner, they did their homework. Even during conflicts in our family, we had a disciplined way to deal with them: Family meetings, everyone took turns expressing anger and frustration, apologies took place and requests were made for future behaviors and we always ended with sharing one thing we appreciated about the other person. Our first family meeting lasted a long time, after a few times of practice it took a lot less time.
When parents reinforce discipline and create order in their children’s life with gentleness, and loving kindness children know what to expect, they learn to embrace the rules of success. It pays off tremendously in helping children succeed.
Happy new school year for all parents and children!
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