Back-to-school season is fun! Shopping for supplies, organizing backpacks, choosing first-day outfits…it’s all fun.
But school can also be hard.
Today’s kids are experiencing more anxiety than ever before, busier schedules than ever before, school supplies that are more expensive than ever before. They are ambushed with harmful messages on social media, shockingly bad behavior by some students, and a society that doesn’t embrace the notion of “one nation, under God.”
But scripture says…
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. (2 Timothy 1:7)
It says…
Christ sets us free. We can stand firm and not be burdened because we have a Spirit that empowers us to live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5)
Amen!
THAT is the truth we want our grandkids to take with them when they walk through the school doors this year.
THAT is the truth that will empower them to navigate the craziness and shine a light into this dark world.
Grandmas and grandpas, we have a responsibility to speak truth into the lives of our grandkids…to show explicitly teach them about the promises and provisions of God.
Combat the crazy with these *fruitastic* tools
Not sure where to start? Simply use the free printable below to begin pouring God’s life-giving, joy-filling *fruit* into the hearts of your grands.
There are NINE *fruits* – one for each month of the schoolyear. Perfect!
Pages includes BOOKMARKS & COLORING PAGES, along with some tips for how to use them.
A peek at our little *Fruitastic* kick-off
The snapshots below show our 2020 kick-off, which was in the midst of the Covid craziness. Focusing on PEACE was a great way to chat about their “little” fears and questions, and remind them that God’s peace will protect their hearts when they simply talk to him in prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Four years later, there are new fears and questions to talk about, and this *fruitastic* tool is a great way to fill our conversations with the Holy Spirit.
keep grandma laughing!
Ready to get started?
Click to download the Fruitastic Bundle of Printables and then have so much fun preparing your grandkids for a school year filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.
Do your grands live far from you? Conversations can be had on the phone or video chat. As you talk, show your grandchild that you are recording their ideas on the coloring page and bookmark and explain that you will send it all to them in the mail When they receive their package (and what kid doesn’t love to get mail!) they can color everything and take their bookmark to school.
Older grandkids? Skip the coloring pages and simply give them a new bookmark each month. You can still have great conversations using the suggestions…they’ll just be more sophisticated. š
KRISTI is the author of the Before books and coloring books for children and the Your Soul To Keep one-year prayer book for parents of adults. She writes to inspire parents and grandparents to shine the joy of Jesus into the lives of their families and to laugh without fear of the future (Proverbs 31:25). She and her husband Tim live in Iowa where they love doing life with their sons and daughters-in-law, six grandbabies, and two very spoiled dogs. Contact Kristi at kristi@thelaughinggrandma.com or Facebook Messenger.
Very informative, responsible, researched article. Connie must be really proud of you. I look forward to meeting you one day
Thank you, Don – love my sister and appreciate your encouraging words!