On this first week back to school, and as a new school year begins, I felt inspired to write this special message to PARENTS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS and BUS DRIVERS.
PARENTS ...
... stop trying to compete with other parents. Do your own thing and be proud of it. Who really cares about what everyone else is doing? Instead, let's empower one another. That would be a much more productive use of our precious time. A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms. Keep doing you. Unless you're an asshole, then please strive to be better ... 😁 The apple never falls too far from the tree.
... no need to brown-nose with your child's teacher, administrative staff, PTA/PTO committee or anyone else. Brown-nosing is fake (and obvious) and will always leave a bad impression. We know who you are.
... don't force your child to compete with others in their class and to be the best and smartest. If you instill the right values, they will become 'natural' leaders at 'everything' they do.
... to all of the Mom's. We all have a lot going on. Please don't compare yourself to other Mom's. We're all a hot mess, some just hide it better than others. It's the women who are proud to present themselves at face value that earn the most respect. Be you, be true, be authentic and genuine. Never trade your authenticity for approval. For those that don't like you (or act like they like you to your face but are jealous of you or can't stand you deep down), always remember that actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they want to be. Don't always trust what you see. Even salt looks like sugar.
... strength lies in our differences, not in our similarities.
... please don’t be fake. Life is too short for fake butter, cheese or people. Real situations always expose fake people.
... don’t intentionally leave people out. Nobody likes a person who intentionally leaves people out for no good reason. Include everyone or invite no one.
... insecurity is an ugly thing. Confidence is silent, insecurities are loud.
TEACHERS ...
... never forget to INSPIRE, PRAISE and SUPPORT your students as often as possible.
... it's OK to be warm to parents and show us that you care. Really, we don't bite.
... not all parents are going to like you (and vice versa), but please do your very best to keep respect in everything you do and everything you say, Treat people the way you would want to be treated.
... if there's ever a moment when you think our child needs extra help or seems to be struggling with ANY aspect of their school day, we hope you would reach out to us (the parents/guardians) immediately.
... we genuinely DO love to participate in our child's activities throughout the school year. Please don't think we appreciate being kept at arms length and discounted from these special moments just because you don't feel like dealing with us.
STUDENTS ...
... if you ever feel bullied, see someone being bullied or ever consider being the one who wants to start bullying, please know that bullying has never been accepted or tolerated in ANY form. Bullies have extremely low self worth and major insecurity issues. They have an incessant need to make other kids feel bad in order to beef-up their own egos. BULLYING = ZERO TOLERANCE. If you see something, say something.
... be the absolute best version of yourself every day and you will succeed. Your personal best will ALWAYS make us proud.
... when you don't feel like completing your homework, just know that homework is an outlet to to a world of possibilities. Knowledge means power (in the most positive of ways).
... if you ever see a classmate sad, depressed, lonely and feeling left out, extend a loving hand. Do unto others as you would want done to you.
... think positive and be positive. There's no room for negativity in your life.
... don't ever let peer pressure rule your decisions. All of your decisions should be based solely on who YOU are, how YOU want to represent yourself, and what defines your character as a person.
... try to avoid cliques as best as you can. These types of socially dominant, gossipy, superficial groups are often causes of negative development.
... don't be afraid (or too busy) to volunteer your time to a cause, project or opportunity that's near and dear to your heart.
... EAT SLOWLY!
... please know that we, your parents/guardians, think about you and wonder how you're doing all (or most) of the day. Always remember that you are close in thought and forever present in our hearts.
BUS DRIVERS ...
... please make our children's safety (and your own safety) your number one priority. May the patron saint of motorists, Saint Christopher, always grant you a steady hand and a watchful eye.
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Here's to a blessed school year full of mental and spiritual enrichment, peace, camaraderie, happiness, achievements, love, friendships, devotion, dedication and NO LICE! We're all in this together. Life is so short. Let's make it count.
On these days (and always) this quote by Elizabeth Stone rings so very true ...
"Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
God, please bless our children, and all children during this new school year. Please guide them and protect them and their families on this new journey together. Thank you always and forever. Amen. †❤️
Copyright © 2019 by Karyn Vagrin Linhardt
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