Hopefully there is a collective bond in this entry’s title that speaks to all sections of society. The more common rhetoric goes something like a “parent would do anything for their kid.” Most often, I get to see this assertion prove true. As school folks, we sometimes land on an opposite end of a parent and when we do we generally schedule a 1:1. Sometimes these meetings go well and sometimes they do not.
I came across this article by Business Insider about parenting and most of what it had to offer hit my check boxes. According to the article, these are things we [parents] should be doing with our children:
- Spend Quality Time Together
- Talk about feelings
- Practice coping skills
- Engage in mental strength exercises
- Establish goals
- Take care of themselves
- Process tough events
- Review rules
- Problem solve
- Play and have fun
So as a parent, what would you not do for your kid? For me like you, nothing – we would do anything for our kids and school folks as a whole would do anything for their collective kids. I’m amazed most days by the outreach my own two receive from their teachers on matters big and small. And in different ways, their campus administrators look out for them as well.
My wife and I have been intermittently traveling with our oldest in touring colleges. It’s been an emotional roller coaster on several fronts but it has also been a great experience. Our son has done his part in taking care of his grades to the best of his ability which leads to our part.
And since I wrote about sleep in my last entry, this sound bite seemed appropriate:
“Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You’ll realize this as soon as they’re born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you.” —Ray Romano, actor and comedian
I laughed at this reference and I suspect most parents can relate. My oldest and I spent this past weekend touring a college – his mom and him spent the previous weekend checking out two others.
And while it’s a bit dated, this entry from Psychological Science, would suggest parents as a collective force are an instinctual pack.
My weekend trip proved to be an exercise in unpreparedness. I’m not ready for him to move on and he’s not quite ready for me to move him along, but he’s more ready than me! The truth is I did not handle this trip that well. I was essentially tasked with the role of planning for change and I landed on no change. We drove five hours to get there and five hours back, and tonight we buttoned up an international college application some 2,200 miles away.
I’ve written about Aesops Fables before – this time I’m learning from Bruce Lee:
“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”
What if? Why not?
What if? Why Not? 
Geoff,
Wow..your words truly express what every parent experiences …at different levels at some point of the child raising spectrum.
You forced me to relook at your list of what every child needs from a parent, and unfortunately I am afraid that I may have been a50-60% level parent.
I cannot imagine how hard it must be to raise children in today’s culture.
As an extension it is also very difficult for educators to teach these same children.
Your words serve as encouragement to educators and parents everywhere.
Keep writing my friend and if you are looking for a great school that can check off all the boxes of what your son is looking for in a university, one that will adequately prepare him for the future workforce, there is a great university located at the corner of South 14th and Sayles Blvd. in Abilene, Texas. Don’t overlook that school, it provides all your son needs.
Again, thanks for your gift of words..until next time…
Stay strong.
FJO
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