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Of course, it’s impossible to tell your child everything they need to know before heading back to school, but I dare say there are 5 important things your daughter needs to know before starting school this year.
It’s hard to believe we’re already even mentioning the phrase “Back to School”, but for those of us here in Middle Tennessee, our kids actually go back next week.
In the flash of an eye, I’m forced to re-examine all the plans and poignant moments I had planned for the summer and face the reality that in just a few short days we’ll be back in the rush of our school-day routine.
Did we spend enough time playing?
Did I sit with her shoulder to shoulder enough instead of talking at her?
Do I know her better today than I did two months ago?
Unfortunately, there is no grace for the past, but God is very present in the current moment, so instead of wondering “What if?”, I’m choosing to stop today and talk to my daughter about the things I want to make sure she knows before she heads back to class.
Obviously, these can change depending on the age of your daughter, but the basic principles remain the same and can be adapted based on whichever stage of life she’s in.
5 Things Your Daughter Needs to Know Before Heading Back to School
1. Your body is exactly that, YOUR body.
It’s one thing to teach your daughter about her body; it’s quite another to instill the truth within her that no-one else has the right to touch her body, literally or emotionally. While girls can body shame, boys can make a girl feel that her body is the only thing she has to offer in a relationship. Before you send your daughter back to school this year, spend time working through different scenarios and rehearsing possible responses with her.
Prayer is always an available lifeline.
We’ve had a lot of discussions about whether or not she’s ready for a cell phone and most of her persuasive arguments circle back to the fact that she’d feel safer with a cell phone. While I could argue that having a cell phone actually opens her up to predators and other unsafe situations, I understand her point. That being said, cell phone or no cell phone, she always has an open line to God through prayer. The younger my daughter grasps this important truth, the more secure she’ll be in ANY situation.
2. What you see online is not always an accurate depiction of life.
I’ve often heard social media described as a highlight reel of your best moments, achievements and pictures of yourself. The problem is that teens using cell phones for the first time don’t always recognize that truth. Instead, they spend hours taking over 100 pictures at a time trying to find the ideal selfie. Not only is it important to educate your daughter in social media, but it’s equally important to put safeguards on any electronic devices, including phones, computers, and tablets.
Stay true to yourself.
(Read the rest of the things your daughter needs to know before heading back to school at TommyNelson.com}
Read all my Tommy Nelson posts here
Recommended Resource for Conversations to Have with your Daughter Before Heading Back to School:
A great resource on this topic for your tween/teenage daughter is the book “Liked” by Kari Kampakis.
