I had never really stopped to consider that little blip in time (the last words we say to our kids before school) as a teachable moment until I watched this quick video by Dr. Kathy Koch. (It’s less than 3 min.)

Hmmmmm…makes you think, doesn’t it?! 

Whether sending your kids out the door to walk to school, catch the bus, dropping them off in carpool line, or even sitting down to a day of homeschool, you probably have some line you typically say to set the tone for the day.  “Have a great day!”  or something like that.

I began to ponder biblical encouragements that could replace my well intended, but shallow send-offs.
How about…

• “Grow in wisdom today!”  (Luke 2:52)
• “Be a friend who loves at all times today!”  (Proverbs 17:17a)
• “Walk with the wise today!”  (Proverbs 13:20)
• “Be quick to listen today!”  (James 1:19)
• “Bring joy to yourself and others with cheerful looks today!” (Proverbs 15:30)
• “Trust in the Lord today, with whatever it brings!”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• “Have a thankful day!”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Try using some of these.
Or, flip through Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments  to find ideas for whatever area your child may need an encouraging word as he starts his day.

Does your child know that she can encourage her teacher(s)?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and built each other up.”

Why not have your kiddo help create a back-to-school surprise for each of her teachers?

Here’s what we came up with and have enjoyed doing for several years…

• We found these cute people magnets at Mardel in store or online for just $1.50 each (price may vary).
  They can also be found HERE and HERE on Amazon.
• We discussed clever ways to word the notes and have stuck with the wording pictured below.
• Then, we make and tie on the tags.
• Most importantly, we pray for each of the teachers by name and discuss how the kids can be an encouragement to their teachers all year long through their actions, words, attitudes, and continued prayers.
• Finally, each of my kiddos puts them with their backpacks to take on the first day of school to give to their teachers.

Last year, I decided we would make the most of our drive time on the way to school on the days I take my two plus three other kiddos.  TIP:  This idea can be applied whatever time of the week works best for you…not just carpool drive time.  

We used the Seeds of Courage music to learn a verse a month.  Each song is Scripture set to music.  The Seeds collection is perfect for school age kids…preschoolers and even middle schoolers enjoy them.  However, if you only have preschoolers, I recommend Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Heart  Volumes 1 and 2.

Month after month through the school year, we had great discussions about God’s Word and added verses to our list of memorized Scripture!   

During the fall, our September theme verse, Jeremiah 33:3, spoke to my family –
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

My husband and I were struggling with if/when to have our kids’ tonsils removed.  Between the two of them, they had strep 20 times in 2 1/2 years!   I shared with the carpool kids how our family was seeking God’s wisdom as in the verse because we weren’t sure what to do.  Through a series of events, God made it clear that we needed to go ahead and have the surgeries.  God helped us figure out the things we didn’t know!

In January, God surprised a mom by her daughter blessing her with that month’s theme verse.  I was shopping at Sam’s when I got this text from Shauna about her 6th grade daughter who is in our carpool – “Ok, so you are going to smile at this:  I was in the car tonight on our way to basketball practice and I said to my daughter that I am really anxious today.  All of sudden she busts out Philippians 4:6-7…in song!”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Want to help your child know what God has to say about different topics?
It’s as easy as picking up your copy of
Parenting with Scripture:  A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments!

Anyone know of straight Scripture set to music that appeals to teens?
Please share in the comment section!

School is quickly approaching so I thought I’d share this idea for parents who like to be prepared!
My kids love finding fun notes or pictures from me in their lunchboxes, but it gets challenging to be creative.
I stumbled upon this gem in the Focus on the Family Visitor Center’s Bookstore when we were passing through Colorado Springs last year and my kids have given it a thumbs up!  Each perforated page contains jokes, riddles, or tongue twisters, a Bible verse, and a section to handwrite a note.  So that we don’t consume them as quickly, I only pull two pages a week and send them one day with each kid and then swap them the next.

Laughs for Lunch by Bob Phillips
Click on picture to see Amazon link…(because it’s out of print, only limited new/used (make sure not consumed) copies are available.)

Please share your ideas or resources for making your child’s lunch box experience special/memorable!