Our Back-to-School Plan???

As my wife and I began having children three years into our marriage, I recall a discussion about the wonderful ideals we had for our family. We wanted a family that loves and serves God together, creates a welcoming home, fosters a family life that serves Jesus by meeting the needs of others, and prioritizes healthy relationships. The most important relationships as we read in scripture were and still are to...Love God, Honor Parents, Love Neighbors (including our family members), and Love ourselves.

Now, with three grown children and seven grandchildren, we see that the values, beliefs, and expectations we set out seem to have stuck in their lives. We never really called it a purpose and family mission statement, but we now see that it appears to have been just that, just in an unwritten form. It may not be a bad idea, though, to take some intentional time actually to write one down. What would it say?

Before getting into this weird, not at all normal, unusual school year, it may actually be the perfect time to write out a family plan. It would not be too early to consider a Family plan or mission for your family as we approach the upcoming school year. Considering how 2020 has gone so far, it’s likely that this school year will be pretty unpredictable. One thing is sure—back to school means a new rhythm for your entire family. In the midst of all the chaos and adjustment, it may be challenging to create intentional moments for you and your family to connect with God and with each other in meaningful ways. What should be solid pieces to this school year when every part of it seems fluid and changing? Certainly, the State of WA and school districts are deciding to roll out their plans on your behalf. Why not get your family plans ready to roll out? How are we going to do this? Allow God to speak to your family as you seek Him for the plans that He has for you.

First, consider meeting together as parents to pray and talk about what God is saying to each of you. If you are a single parent, come to the Lord personally and ask Him to make clear His leading for you and your children. If you have older pre-teens, consider involving them more in this pre-planning process. Then, I suggest that you connect as a family, start with a prayer together, and then roll out what you feel are God's plans for you regarding the upcoming school year. Grab your calendars and bribe your family with some delicious snacks, and sit down together to create your family's 2020-2021 Back-to-School Plan!

Below is a worksheet that is designed to help you to be intentional about the things that matter to your family during the 2020-2021 school year.

Back-to-School-Family-Plan.pdf

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