On The Way to School

I take my children to and from school every day. Sometimes this driving can get a bit monotonous, but for me, I really enjoy the time alone with them to talk about their day and bond with them.

I like to send my children off in the morning feeling good about themselves so that they can feel stronger as they face peer pressure and many other situations throughout their school day. I also like to see them excited to hug me at the end of a day. I want them to enjoy their time with “mom.”
I try to accomplish this goal in several ways.

When we are in the car going to and from school, we play little games and have rituals that we do together. Sometimes we talk about our “high” and “low” points of the day after school is out, or we each say one thing we are thankful for. This is a great way to get a child who has had a bad day; to focus on something good about their day.

In the mornings, we like to each share “what I like about you.” And our rule is that we can’t repeat what someone else in the car said. I tell my children that I like their sensitivity, their courage, their willingness to share, etc. I KNOW they take these thoughts with them as they get out of my car each day. Sometimes, we look for what we call our “God Spots” or things we see that show us God is present. My girls have pointed out mountains, a sunrise, and a hot air balloon. It forces them to look out the car windows and really notice the world around them.

One of my girls favorite rituals is what we call “ROCKIN’ FRIDAY!” They can barely wait for me to pull off of our street on Friday morning before I start blaring our favorite tunes and we all sing joyously and loudly together.
Car rides can be utilized as a powerful way to connect together instead of just a shuttle service. Use your time confined together to grow.

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~ Dionna Sanchez drives her girls to a private school in Idaho. She has many more family tradition ideas at: www.emphasisonmoms.com/new_page_6.htm

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