http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/07/keep-it-safe/ Pastor Jimmy Holbrook Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:27:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/07/keep-it-safe/comment-page-1/#comment-253 Donna K Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:41:43 +0000 http://jimmyholbrook.com/?p=328#comment-253 I also think being intentional in being actively involved in everything they do is important. I can't tell you how many bleachers we sat in on cold, rainy nights, how many field trips we went on, how many church camps I have been to. The boys always knew we were there if they needed us. We let them do their thing but we were still actively there. They didn't always like us in their teen years but we hung in there. I remember one time in particular on a field trip with Daniel, he was probably 4th grade, he had this stick and a kid came up and just took it. I quietly, believe it or not, walked up and took it back. Daniel thought his mom was a hero. I always encourage all my parents to stay actively involved with their child as they go into the Jr. High years. Get them involved and you get involved also. They will come back to you once they get through the teen years. Then you can be their friend. I also think being intentional in being actively involved in everything they do is important. I can’t tell you how many bleachers we sat in on cold, rainy nights, how many field trips we went on, how many church camps I have been to. The boys always knew we were there if they needed us. We let them do their thing but we were still actively there. They didn’t always like us in their teen years but we hung in there. I remember one time in particular on a field trip with Daniel, he was probably 4th grade, he had this stick and a kid came up and just took it. I quietly, believe it or not, walked up and took it back. Daniel thought his mom was a hero. I always encourage all my parents to stay actively involved with their child as they go into the Jr. High years. Get them involved and you get involved also. They will come back to you once they get through the teen years. Then you can be their friend.

]]> http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/07/keep-it-safe/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Shannon Hazen Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +0000 http://jimmyholbrook.com/?p=328#comment-251 Because of our unusual circumstances, Chris and I made the decision to be very blunt when addressing Faith’s safety. I remember when Faith was about 7 years old she had questions about how we would protect her. Of course she would because of what had happened to her sister. We told her she was safe because we would go to great lengths to stop anybody that threatened to harm to her. She was fine with it and the question never came up again. That one conversation continues to put her at ease to this very day. It was a much easier task than protecting her from rejection and everything else that occurs during these trying teenage years. It doesn’t boil down to one conversation. It takes many conversations daily, and as trying as it is, I am enjoying the ride. The task of developing seems impossible at times when talking to Faith. It seems like I am arguing with a fence post. But I keep talking, keep challenging and every once in awhile, she lets me know that I am getting it right. Because of our unusual circumstances, Chris and I made the decision to be very blunt when addressing Faith’s safety. I remember when Faith was about 7 years old she had questions about how we would protect her. Of course she would because of what had happened to her sister. We told her she was safe because we would go to great lengths to stop anybody that threatened to harm to her. She was fine with it and the question never came up again. That one conversation continues to put her at ease to this very day. It was a much easier task than protecting her from rejection and everything else that occurs during these trying teenage years. It doesn’t boil down to one conversation. It takes many conversations daily, and as trying as it is, I am enjoying the ride. The task of developing seems impossible at times when talking to Faith. It seems like I am arguing with a fence post. But I keep talking, keep challenging and every once in awhile, she lets me know that I am getting it right.

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