TPCS WEEKLY NEWS!
Training scholars. Making disciples. Graduating leaders
NOTE FROM MR. WILLIAMS - HEAD OF SCHOOL
If you had one day to live what would you do-Jesus washed feet
Raising Mentally Strong Kids in a Mentally Weak Culture
Raising a mentally strong child doesn't mean he won't cry when he's sad or that he won't fail sometimes. Mental strength won't make your child immune to hardship—but it also won't cause him to suppress his emotions.
In fact, it's quite the opposite. Mental strength is what helps kids bounce back from setbacks. It gives them the strength to keep going, even when they're plagued with self-doubt. A strong mental muscle is key to helping kids reach their greatest potential in life.
But raising a mentally strong child requires parents to avoid the common yet unhealthy parenting practices that rob kids of mental strength. In her book, 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do, Amy Morin identifies 13 things to avoid if you want to raise a mentally strong. I want to share just nine of those and one of my own with you today as a challenge to parents to best prepare your child for adult life.
1. Condoning a victim mentality
Striking out at the baseball game or failing a science test doesn't make a child a victim. Rejection, failure, and unfairness are a part of life. Refuse to attend your kids' pity parties. Teach them that no matter how tough or unjust their circumstances, they can always take positive action.
2. Parenting out of guilt
Giving in to guilty feelings teaches your child that guilt is intolerable. Kids who learn this won't be able to say no to someone who says, "be a friend and let me copy your paper," or, "if you loved me, you'd do this for me. "Show your kids that even though you feel guilty sometimes—and all good parents do—you're not going to allow your uncomfortable emotions get in the way of making wise decisions.
3. Making kids the center of the universe
If you make your entire life revolve around your kids, they'll grow up thinking everyone should cater to them. Self-absorbed, entitled adults aren't likely to get very far in life. Teach your kids to focus on what they have to offer the world, rather than what they can gain from it.
4. Giving their kids power over them
Letting kids dictate what the family will eat for dinner or where the family goes on vacation gives kids more power than they are developmentally ready to handle. Treating kids like an equal, or the boss actually robs them of mental strength. Give your kids an opportunity to practice taking orders, listening to things they don't want to hear, and doing things they don't want to do. Let your kids make simple choices while maintaining a clear family hierarchy.
5. Shielding kids from pain
Hurt feelings, sadness, and anxiety are part of life. Letting kids experience those painful feelings gives them opportunities to practice tolerating discomfort. Provide your kids with the guidance and support they need to deal with pain so they can gain confidence in their ability to handle life's inevitable hardships.
6. Feeling responsible for their kids' emotions
Cheering your kids up when they're sad and calming them down when they're upset means you take responsibility for regulating their emotions. Kids need to gain emotional competence so they can learn to manage their own feelings. Proactively teach your child healthy ways to cope with their emotions so they don't depend on others to do it for them.
7. Preventing kids from making mistakes
Correcting your kids' math homework, double-checking to make sure they've packed their lunch, and constantly reminding them to do their chores won't do them any favors. Natural consequences can be some of life's greatest teachers. Let your kids mess up sometimes and show them how to learn from their mistakes so they can grow wiser and become stronger.
8. Taking shortcuts to avoid discomfort
Although giving in to a whining child or doing your kids' chores for them will make your life a little easier right now, those shortcuts instill unhealthy habits in your kids for the long term. Role model delayed gratification and show your kids that you can resist tempting shortcuts. You'll teach them they're strong enough to persevere even when they want to give up.
9. Losing sight of their values
Many parents aren't instilling the values they hold dear in their children. Instead, they're so wrapped up in the day-to-day chaos of life that they forget to look at the bigger picture. Make sure your priorities accurately reflect the things you value most in life, and you'll give your children the strength to live a meaningful life.
10. Strength in weakness
As we promote our theme “Stand Strong” and as society promotes a mantra of strength within ourselves we need to recognize the hollow nature of personal strength. Parents let’s flip the switch of our focus and understand and teach our kids that our strength comes from the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 God says “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Paul, the author of 2 Corinthians goes on to say “For when I am weak, then I am made strong.” Because he knows his strength comes from the Lord.
Parents, just as you and I expect that your students will be challenged and grow I pray that you will continue to grow in your parenting.
Serving Christ,
Paul M. Williams
Your Upper School PTF is excited to host our Inaugural Fall Harvest Festival, Saturday, September 28th from 6-9pm. This event is for all 7th through 12th-grade students and their families. The football field will be where all of the action takes place with axe throwing, knockerball, a mechanical bull and an official corn hole tournament with great prizes like Colts memorabilia and one day passes to Walt Disney World. There will also be a bonfire, hayrides, additional activities, and complimentary hot apple cider and donuts. Food trucks will also be on-site for dinner. Students who attend will receive a free homework pass and parents in attendance will receive 1 hr of community engagement (formerly service hours)
Don't miss out on this fun-filled evening. Tickets are on sale now by cash or check in the front office of the high school or by credit card by visiting tpcsfestival.eventbrite.com
Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. If you are interested in helping please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4aabac28a3fd0-fall
Interested in hearing more about what PTF has planned for the year? Join us on Friday, Sept 20th at 8:15 am in the Town Square.
HOMECOMING 2019 NEXT WEEK!
HOMECOMING 2019 is here already and we have a fun-filled week planned for Traders Point! Although Homecoming is typically a high school event, we have lots of ways for all of our TPCS students to have fun! Visit our HOMECOMING 2019 SPECIAL EDITION newsletter (button below) for up-to-date information on all activities for Homecoming Week at Traders Point Christian Schools. Keep this link handy all week. It will be helpful to reference each day so you don't miss out on any of the fun!
TPCS ATHLETICS
SAVE THE DATE:
September 16-20:
Homecoming Week
September 21:
High School Homecoming Dance
September 25:
See You At The Pole (7:30 am)
September 26-27:
5th grade Twin Lakes Overnight
September 28:
Upper School PTF Fall Harvest Festival
October 2-3:
EC Donuts with Dad
October 4:
Academy Donuts with Dad
October 10:
Day of Giving
October 11:
Quarter 1 Ends
October 14-18:
Fall Break
October 21:
K-12 E-Learning Day (NO SCHOOL) - EC in Attendance
October 22:
Winter Sports Meeting
October 24:
K-12 Open House
Nov. 27-29:
Thanksgiving Break
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OUR GREAT SPONSORS
In April of 2016, Traders Point Christian School (TPCS) launched our Corporate Sponsorship program, which is aimed at providing a revenue streamline not only for our recent Capital Campaign, but also to help enhance and develop the overall scope of TPCS. These partnerships also provide the opportunity for TPCS to be intentional about our relationships in the community while allowing these organizations to be a blessing to our ministry.
God has tremendously blessed this initiative by providing six organizations that have made an eternal impact in the life of TPCS. Witham Health Services, National Bank of Indianapolis, Steve Clark Team Real Estate, Tom Wood Toyota, Vibrant Outdoors and Westport Homes have invested their financial resources to provide opportunities for our students, families and staff that would not have otherwise been possible.
Please visit the link below to find out more about each of our sponsors. Please also consider giving them your business. Let’s reciprocate the blessing they have been to our TPCS family