This just in parents, everyone will experience highs and lows! The question I want to pose today is how do you handle the highs and the lows experienced not by you, but through your child? How will you ride the wave of parenthood, the constant influx of G-force like corners, provided by this roller coaster called life our students are experiencing?

Attention all parents!!!! Children will experience lows. There will be good times and bad times, easy moments and tough moments, and through it all, our children need us to be parents. Parents have needed experience, expertise, encouragement, and much needed empathy towards our children and education to survive.

While at Kings Dominion years ago, one of my most memorable experiences was riding the roller coasters with my daughters. My oldest two were able to kiddy rides by themselves, but my youngest was too small to ride. She was nervous, scared, but excited about this adventure. I rode the Rugrats’ bumper car ride with her. Though the ride was bumpy and scary at times, my age and experience was able to help her keep pace, enjoy the ride, and helped her feel confidence that she would make it through and be competitive with her older siblings.

For many of us, last year was the longest roller coaster ride in the history of education. Many of us are still dizzy from the ride and still experiencing soreness in our neck from the constant jerking of the prior school campaign. As opposed to getting frustrated, or avoiding certain rides, lets us vow to take a more active role with our students this year.

Be aware parents, that this year will have its own highs and lows, but we can rest assured that with hard work, and lots of support, the highs and lows will average out. In my short time on earth, I have found life to be filled with a balance of good and bad encounters, all of which have molded me into the man that stands in the mirror. I can truly say at this point that all things have worked for my good.