Friday is Grace’s VIP Day, when a student’s Very Important People are invited to a special morning at school. These Very Important People might be grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, other relatives, or a special family friend. Whoever they are, VIPs hold a critical role in your child’s life. Students who have a mentor have advantages over those who do not. Mentors help children be more resilient, more positive, less prone to depression, and more successful in school and life. Caring adults who offer support, a listening ear, and unconditional love to the young people in their lives help them develop strong positive self-esteem and a high self-worth.

Growing up, my extended family did not live nearby. In high school, a number of caring mentors helped guide me through those tumultuous years. Miss Innis was one of them. She counseled me, prayed for me, and encouraged me as I prepared to head off to college.

Who were your VIPs? Take a moment to reflect on how they impacted your life. Are you someone’s VIP? How can you make a positive impact in the lives of the children and youth around you? Do your kids have VIPs accessible to them? If not, try to connect them with someone who can join you in supporting your children. It is important today and down the road.

God’s Blessings,

Delaine Schiestel