Bad Days Happen
The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
School has returned our lives to a routine of early morning hours, nighttime homework, field trips and yes those endless questions. There are children whose favorite word is “why.” Sometimes you can answer them and sometimes you just have to admit that you are just as stumped. There are no wizards but there is google and more importantly, there is God’s Word. And yes there will be those terrible, no good, very bad days.
When your child comes home with questions like why is so and so mean to me, you need to stop; pray and ask the Holy Spirit for wise words of wisdom. Backtrack through the question to the problem itself. Asking the 5W’s and an H will help you. Where did this happen? When did it happen? Why do you think it happened? Who is “so and so;” does this person have a name? What really happened? Did you seek help from the teacher? Did you talk to this friend about this problem? Getting a child to think analytically through a problem usually helps them to see that so and so might have been mean because of something your child did. In the eventuality that they are the innocent party, you can then develop with them constructive answers and solutions.
Let your child know that adults face the meanies of this world just like they do and yes they too have terrible, no good, very bad days. Sometimes you just need to ignore the meanies and other times you need a strategy. However, should this escalate, it is time to jot a short note to the teacher seeking her assistance. Crafting the note with the child’s help is key so they know you are on their side. Example: Tonight we discussed this ongoing incident and we need your help. Leave out judgments. Leave out emotion-filled words. State the facts. Then pray with your child and leave it with God. A good verse to put into your child’s memory arsenal: Psa 56:9 I know that God is on my side.
Yes, there will be more of the terrible, no good, very bad days but the sunshiny days will outweigh them two to one. These are the teachable moments for you and the child.
sonshine
Coordinator of the Heartprints Blog Page: Gaye-Ellen Austin or SonShine has a passion to train people to be successful Bible students, following the words of Paul to his protégé Timothy: “ entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.” (2 Tim 2:2). She taught 15 years in public schools and 12 years in a Christian school where she was coordinator of the NILD program for learning disabled students. She has taught Precept upon Precept classes and was a discussion group leader for 10+ yrs. in BSF in Daytona Beach. Fl. and Atlanta, GA. Also, Gaye-Ellen is the writer for the https://www.facebook.com/bible.org/ She also has her own personal blog page: https://sonshinesjournal.com/ David is a full time director for Bible.org as well as his secular job. He and Gaye-Ellen along with their son, Dr. Mark Austin, daughter-in-law, Dr. Blanca Austin and granddaughter Christina (https://christinaaustinlopez.com.) live in the Dallas area. Gaye-Ellen's goal is to present Christ and live Christ glorifying God. One of her favorite verses about the role as parents, teachers, and adults for the next generation comes from Psalm 78:4, "but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord."
