I didn’t put the first day of school in my planner this year. I’m not a teacher, a school parent, or a women’s ministry leader. I’ve graduated from school! I can stop:
- packing lunches
- filling out permission slips
- buying extra paper towels for teachers
- stocking up on wide ruled paper
- writing lesson plans
- volunteering for the PTA
- sending dry erase markers for extra credit
I can stop, can’t I?
If not for lessons learned in 25 years as a school mom and teacher, I could stop. If not for four words, I would stop. Because of four words, I can’t. When kids complete schooling, graduated moms get a new assignment. Older women are to, “Teach what is good.” (Titus 2:3)
Schools Moms need encouragement, help, and insight from Graduated Moms. If moms in my season cross “school” out of our assignment book, we withhold what many school families need: experience. God mixes mothers. God mixes women.
Graduated moms have been there. School moms don’t know what this year’s challenges will look like, but they know they’re coming. Don’t hold back, older mom! Share what you learned! Expose your failures and nuggets of truth God showed you. School Moms, don’t pretend you know it all. Invite Graduated Moms into your life; welcome their input. They paid a price for what they learned, and they’ll understand. Be open to hear from them. They’ll be your greatest cheerleader!
Graduated Moms have different availability. They aren’t bound by the school schedule any more. They may take on new opportunities; they may’ve been waiting for those. God may give them new ways to serve or new professional experiences, but they aren’t driven by school calendars and hours. School Mom, find out about their availability and reach out. Is your Graduated Mom friend at the office? Have lunch with her there. Is she traveling? Have a meal when she returns. Is she pursuing a new passion? Ask her to share with you. Graduated Mom, how does your availability give you opportunities to help School Mom friends? Can you do her morning drop off? Can you be her emergency contact? Can you be “Nana” on Grandparents Day?
Graduated Moms have bigger perspective. School Moms are in the midst of other School Moms. It’s easy to feel the pressure of having what other families have and doing what other families do. Older moms can assure you times change, so you are not bound to have a particular thing or make a trendy choice. They know what it feels like to compare yourself and your kids; they did it too. Honest Graduated Moms share the “rest of the story” when it comes to this thing called raising kids. By looking back, they have perspective.
10 Ways Graduated Moms Can Bless School Moms
- Offer to be an emergency contact
- Talk to the kids about school and be interested
- Print Lunchtime Prayer cards as a gift
- Ask how to pray for her and her kids. Pray.
- Find out what supplies she needs, and watch for sales
- Invite the kids over to share their work
- Help with homework to give her a break
- Drive by her schooling location and pray “on site”
- Ask about special programs; attend one if you can
- Give a gift card or “serve you card” so School Mom and School Dad can have a night out to talk/pray about their kids’ growth
School Moms, you’re parenting when ages are largely segregated. It’s not a biblical way to mother. Get connected to Graduate Moms. God mixes mothers.
Graduate Moms, we haven’t all been trained to invest time and energy as mentors to younger women. But it’s the biblical way for our season of womanhood. Be available to encourage, help, and guide School Moms. God mixes women.
It’s Back to School … for us all.
Download printable Lunchbox Prayer Cards for your students or share with a School Mom friend.
