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“Don’t read their school report card as though it’s a prophecy of their future lives.” ~Rod Parsons
It’s hard to believe that we’ve just finished up the 3rd quarter for the girls’ school year. Less than 45 days till I’m parenting a 10th grader and an 8th grader, which is exciting and scary all at the same time!
This also means that report cards will come home next week. While we are blessed in that our children get good grades, I like to remind myself that there is so much more in life for our kids.
A report card isn’t going to show that my daughter shared the best part of her lunch with a classmate who left hers at home. It’s not going to show that she helped the music teacher put away books after class, nor that she helped a younger student find her way to the piano studio. (I don’t know that my daughters have done these things, but I’d like to think that they would!)
While we want our children to do their best in school, their future adult life will be about so much more than whether they made a B or a C in Science class. The knowledge they gain is important, but just as important is their ability to be kind to others, to work diligently, to be honest. If we graded our children on their character, how are they doing?
As our children begin to emerge as individuals, it’s neat to watch them pursue their interests. We as parents begin to see answers to questions like, “What are his strengths?” “What does she love to do in her free time?” “How does he best learn new concepts?”
School life is so much more than academic pursuits. There are daily opportunities to develop interpersonal skills, creativity, ingenuity, determination, and focus. Not all of these qualities are reflected in a grade on a report card. However, we can determine to embrace all that is best in our children, encourage them in their efforts, help them in their weaknesses, and let them know how much we love them just the way they are.
I try to remind myself of this often because it's so true! I would rather my children not do so well in school but be helpful and kind — although, to tell the truth, I would prefer they were both! 🙂
YES!!!! I refocus on this often! I grew up *SUCH* a grade monger that I really actively work to see everything beyond grades for W&A. [I definitely still care about their numbers 😉 but I don't let myself think that's as important as I grew up with.]