A Blessed Student

Even Baby Giraffes Need Good Parents

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Orlando, Florida

Colossians 3:20 NIV

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

Rarely do I anticipate parent meetings, but this week I am actually looking forward to meeting one of my sophomore's mother.  For the last several weeks, I have informed her about her son's progress in class through email.  She is smart, funny, and truly cares about her son. She wants to help him succeed, yet she won't enable him. She holds him accountable for his work.

Good parents are like diamond mines. They are precious and rare. Often we teachers have negative encounters with parents who are quick to make excuses for their child's behavior.  When a student is disrespectful to me, I usually suspect he or she acts the same way at home. When I see the child and parents interact, I can immediately tell why I have the problems I have with the student in the classroom.

The old saying about the acorn not falling far from the tree is true. Parents in skimpy clothes have come to school to bring appropriate clothes to their child who was sent to the office for inappropriate attire. Kids who have drug and alcohol problems often come from homes where attitudes are lax on these issues.

I know from experience that not every child reflects the lessons taught at home, and I have seen my fair share of good parents with lousy kids.  I never know what to tell the parents in that situation. I can't exactly suggest prayer, as I am supposed to keep silent on that point, but if I were able to speak my mind, I sure would recommend the parents pray without ceasing for their child.

God's light shines through this mother I am about to meet.  Her emails radiate with joy and love for her son and her role as a parent.  Meetings such as this one make me happy because I know my student is loved and cared for at home. What a blessing for him and his family.
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Lord, thank you for parents like the one I will meet in person this week.