WORLDVIEWS

The Christian worldview has become extremely distorted in so many ways. In order for us to prepare our kids to be “in the world,” and “not of the world,” we must first teach them how to know what that means in today’s culture. We have a major disadvantage today when it comes to critical thinking and discernment because there are so many things labeled as “Christian” when they are in fact in complete opposition to the word of God. We want our kids to stand strong regardless of what college they attend. A Christian worldview will align with scripture, and that’s the number one way you can prepare them for college.

COMMUNICATION

I have always been one to say that communication has to be open between a parent and their child, regardless of the stage of life they are currently in. If your kids don’t feel like they can discuss things with you, they won’t. Probably one of the hardest parts of sending your kids off to school is the fact that you will likely be communicating less, especially if they are moving out and onto campus.

Having built a foundation for healthy communication, you can feel free to ask your child about their daily experiences and trust that they will share with you. This gives you the opportunity to stay involved and create a different type of relationship than the one you previously had. Obviously, there will be pressures applied to them when they are out of the house and not under your direct supervision. We have to let our kids mature and grow and yes, even make mistakes. If we never let them make mistakes, they simply won’t know how to stand strong on their own.

HEALTHY HABITS

Before we just let them loose, it’s important to encourage healthy habits. If your kids can’t seem to stick to the things that matter, they likely won’t be able to stand strong in a tough situation. This can be as small as setting a schedule and sticking to it. It can also be as big as denying themselves the instant gratification of a few too many drinks or getting involved in a relationship that they shouldn’t.

Establishing self-discipline with healthy habits will create a place inside of them that will give them a sense of confidence that they will need when the rubber meets the road. We could all do better at setting ourselves up for success when it comes to creating healthy habits.

DON’T FORGET

Your kids are growing up. Most of the decisions they make now will reflect the job we did over the course of their life up until this point. Keep in mind, your child is still their own person and will make their own decisions. Not everything they do is a direct correlation to the job you did as a parent. Their ability to stand strong is not 100% reliant on how you did raising them. As you prepare for the day they leave home, look to the Holy Spirit for comfort and for counsel.