What a great idea!
Amy Allen starts each school year off with a theme that continues throughout the year. What positive influences do you think it would have on children and a family?
For the past three years that I have been doing a family theme, I have not figured out what I wanted until very close to school starting. So close in fact, that my good friend Amber over at Pine Place gets a call about 12 hours before I want my vinyl. And she always does her darndest to get it to me.
It's so joyous to be able to share what we are doing this year. I'm pretty excited about it.
I wanted a theme that reflected our family values, but that also helped the children to look beyond themselves. It would have to be something that mixed striving for personal growth, while also helping them to see other's needs.
We were in Deseret Book a few weeks ago, and I was still trying to come up with our theme. When I literally ran into it. It was part of a plaque type thing that had a quote from one of my favorite people, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He was quoting a scripture:
Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.
-Joshua 1:9
Our family theme for the year is the middle of that scripture, Be strong and of a Good Courage.
I started by talking to my children about what it meant to be a hero. Of course I heard things that related to super heroes, but then as we talked it was decided that to be a hero meant to stand for the things they believe, to not be afraid to stand for truth and righteousness. To speak out when they see someone being treated unfairly, to not give in when their values are questioned or attacked.
To be a hero means that you are not afraid to do what is right because you have the Lord on your side. So if I tell my children as they leave, "Be a hero!" they know what I mean.
I have the most amazing children. I hope you all feel that way. I believe firmly that our children live up to our expectations of them. And they believe what we tell them. I also believe that we have to encourage them to never talk negatively about themselves, because frankly, we believe what we tell ourselves as well.
If our children can be secure in our love and support, then they will be able to believe in a loving Heavenly Father as well. They will be surrounded by love, and they will succeed in standing tall and knowing who they are, where they came from, and why they are here.
This, I believe.
And I also believe that I have some gorgeous children. Here is proof:
I hope school goes well this year. I'm already ready for the first vacation. But that's only because I'm not a morning person. I use to be a "go to bed late get up late" person.
But I've become a "go to bed early get up late person." Does that mean I'm getting old? Or am I just lazy? Either way, 6:15 a.m. is early to rise for sure!
But I would love it if you all left comments and let the rest of us know what you did for back to school this year.
Have a superb day!
Amy Allen is a full time mother of 6 and wife to one. Fulfillment is knowing that she is doing the most important work anyone can do on this earth. Everyday she gets to contribute to the growth and learning and molding of 6 human beings. She has been entrusted with these sweet children, and feels like she is doing what she was born to do. She looks at her children and cannot imagine her life any differently. Ok, well maybe more organized! But truly, if she can leave this earth having nurtured 6 people who will make a difference in the world through their kindness, goodness and intelligence, then who is more blessed than she?" The Allen family recently hosted a Mindy Gledhill concert at their home in Maple Valley, WA and were featured on TLC's Home Made Simple. Amy blogs at: Amy's Spoonful of Sugar
