The Parent Factor
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” – Luke 2:52
My father grew up on a farm in rural Michigan. He taught horticulture at Michigan State University, and eventually became a purchasing agent for the Campbell’s Soup plant in Chicago, from which he retired over 30 years later. I did not inherit my father’s farming genes. Vegetables still make me gag and the only crop I can identify is corn on the cob.
During my undergraduate years at the University of Illinois, my dad once gave my roommate a ride home. It was a two-hour drive, much of it by flashing rows of corn and other vegetables. My father was the strong, silent type, and I anticipated a somewhat awkward drive for the two of them. Afterwards, I was surprised to learn that my dad had talked the entire way...about soybeans! My friend had questioned the contents of a passing field. I hadn’t thought to warn her.
It turns out that I may have inherited my dad’s love for growing things after all. I just chose to watch children grow. I have spent years observing how chairs that leave feet dangling in September become uncomfortably cramped by June. Children will grow physically. It’s what they do. It’s the minds, the hearts, and the spirits developing inside the seedlings that I longed to tend.
Over my years as a teacher, I learned that parents enjoy an unmatched influence on the educational success of their children. Kids spend a significant amount of their childhood in classrooms. The suggestions below are addressed to Christian parents who long to optimize that time.
Parents Can: Prep the Soil. Before the first bell ever rings, model gratitude for their school and their educational opportunities. Share stories of your own school experiences and how they helped you discover your interests and achieve your goals. Talk about your favorite teachers, subjects, and field trips. Your gratitude and positive memories will help set their attitudes.
Parents Can: Cultivate Each Seedling Individually. There are many kinds of plants, with unique needs and care instructions. Your overthinking perfectionists and your “I’d rather climb trees” sprouts each need to be heard and seen individually. Comparisons will backfire, hindering the healthy growth of all involved.
Parents Can: Monitor Growth. Being watchful requires a time commitment. Checking in with homework and paperwork. Ongoing observation of words and behaviors, especially sudden changes. Addressing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual weeds that are choking out growth. Celebrating effort and progress equally.
Parents Can: Rain Down Prayers. Pray Luke 2:52 over them. Repeatedly go to the throne of grace for wisdom, for strength, and for the First Corinthians 13 ingredients of love. Show yourselves and your children mercy for mistakes. Pray for the grace to forgive and seek forgiveness because “growing” is for parents and teachers too.
Questions for Reflection:
1. How can you as a parent have an unmatched influence on the education success of your children?
2. How can you best optimize your time with your children before and after school?
3. What role should prayer play in your child’s daily educational process?
