by Lori Merrill
It is the start of school and for most parents that means pictures (and lots of them)! My children always knew the first day of school meant an individual and group picture in front of the house. No matter how much they grumbled or whined or tried to be late for the ‘photo shoot’; we were still going to take the annual picture (and look happy while doing it!). Some of the ways we memorialized the first day of school were:
- A picture of each child alone (head shot and full length shot).
- All of them together (head shot and full length shot).
- In the same place each year.
I have heard of others memorializing it by:
- In front of a mature tree or the mailbox so you can see how much your child has grown each year.
- If they are driving then get the car in the picture.
If they are starting college then consider this:
- A video interview.
As much as you and I want to show up on the first day of college classes we are way too cool of a mother to do that. Please promise me that you are!!!! So, an alternative (that won’t ruin their lives) is to do an interview with them when you take them to move in at college. What started as a last minute idea has turned into a priceless gift to be treasured. When each of my boys moved away we packed up the cars and headed out. I rode in the car with my son to have that one on one time for what seemed like the last time! While my son drove I turned on the camera and taped an impromptu video interview. Some of the questions were basic:
- Where will you live?
- Who will be living with you?
And then grew a little more personal:
- Why did you choose this University?
- What are you most excited about?
- Is there anything you are nervous about?
And then a little introspective:
- What will you miss about not living at home?
- What do you think God is directing you to do with your life?
Then complete mushiness:
- What advice would you give to your little brother?
- What message would you like to leave for your brother?
- What advice would you give to your sister?
- Repeat with each member of the family (yes, even for yourself)
I never expected to have happen what happened next as we moved to this last section of the interview. With each of my boy’s interview they became tearful; which left me in a mess and the camcorder facing the floorboard. As we review that tape you can hear light sobbing in the background. Okay, full-fledged bawling is the truth, but nonetheless it is a priceless gift.
As I prepare to move my last child and only daughter to college this week I am a little anxious about the interview. Will I have the ability to even hold the camera?!
It has been a family tradition that the rest of the family sit in front of the TV/camera (with tissue) and watch the video interview once we are back home after a long day. This week we will do that once again to mark the beginning of another school year. The only hiccup is that it will be my husband and I watching the interview together with no children present. And as I write this I realize that it will be the last interview we tape for this traditional event of moving away and starting school. Yes, I am sad even now and tearful. So, I better close before I get the keyboard wet. And yes, you now know how to pray for me…
In His Love,
Lori
P.S. Please consider leaving ideas on what you have done to memorialize the first day of school or college so we can learn from each other.
Thanks Cathy for all the great suggestions that we can learn from…I appreciate you taking the time to share with us!
As I have now moved our three children to college, the words of
> encouragement and ideas from the Lord and others have blessed my
> heart.
May these ideas bless you as well as you move into this new season of life.
>
> *Know that this is good, right and healthy for them to move on to this
> new time in their lives.
> *Be encouraged that there is much FUN and JOY ahead as they make new
> friendships which will become your new friends as well.
> *Have those cookies in the freezer and ready whenever they come home
> and bring their friends for a visit, a stay over the weekend or for
> dinner with a bunch of their friends! (We LOVE these times). You want
> your home to be known as
the home that has the great food to come home to!
*Home should be a haven of rest for them. GIve them their space
of quietness. Just knowing mom or dad is in the other room if they want
to talk, is a comfort for them.
> *The school activities are sooo much fun! Let them know how excited
> you are!
> *Always make their activities a priority in your schedule – when they
> see this, they will want you to be around and so will their friends!
> You will become MOM to many!!
> *Contact them at least once a week or more to “check in” with them
*Always pray for them everyday and ask them how you can pray for them.
*Take their picture before they move for sure. If you are helping them move in, take pictures of them in their dorm.
*Write them a letter and have them read it after you leave. With my daughter, I have written notes and tucked them under her pillow for her to find her first night in her dorm.
*Text them a note or send them and e-mail of our proud you are of them.
*Call them their first day of classes to see how their day went!
> This scripture was given to me the day we moved our first child ,
> Tyler to college at OSU.
> It has been a great encouragement to me for all three of our children.
>
> Proverbs 14:26
> “In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong
> confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.”
>
> As parents, as we fear our Lord in reverence, He gives us strong
> confidence. In this confidence we can rest knowing that He is taking
> care of our children (even when they are not at home) and He is their
> refuge.
Psalm 25:4,5
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in
Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
on You I wait all the day.
> I have learned that my children don’t want to see me cry to much when
> moving them, but to show them I am so excited with them for this new
> season in their lives and to let them fly.
>
> Rest in KNOWING this is not the end because they have moved out,
but it’s the beginning of a new season wonderful blessings are yet to come.
May God bless and strengthen you as you embrace this time in your lives.
>
> With love and prayers for your strength,
>
> Cathy
>