Tag: Children

Get Your Children Ready to Go Back to School

Posted on August 1, 2023

The R.O.C.K. Club Wants Your Kids to Have the Best Year of School

Summer was a relaxing break, but it is time to get your children ready to go back to school. Whether they are in preschool, elementary school, junior high, senior high, or college, you must properly prepare them. This means so much more than getting the right school supplies, though. It is our job to ready them for all of the difficulties that they may face this year. We must even prepare them for the “simple” day-to-day struggles inherent in schooling.   It’s easy for adults to forget what school was like, and in doing so, downplay what our kids may face. But remember, too, that they also face issues that we never faced. With that in mind, the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, wants to help you to prepare your children to go back to school. We enthusiastically join you in praying that your children have the best school experience ever.      

Gather Supplies Now, and Reduce Your Stress

First, however, remember that school supplies are important. Don’t wait until the night before the first day to start gathering their supplies. Schools, especially preschools and elementary schools, usually send lists of needed supplies a few weeks before the start day. There is no need to procrastinate! Start gathering these supplies as soon as you receive the list. This will significantly reduce your “back to school” stress.    

Going Back to School with the Right Attitude

Your children may enjoy school, or it may be a chore to get them through the door in the morning. It may be a mixture of both. We must, however, help them to understand that school is very important. Foster attitudes of hard work and dedication, not only through your words but also through your actions. This is their current job, after all; they are preparing for their future. They may ask that age-old question, “When am I ever going to use this in my life?” Remind them that they are also learning skills that transcend subjects like math or language arts.    

Prepare Them Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually

A new school year, no matter how exciting it may seem, also brings new obstacles with it. Your child may be shifting from elementary school to junior high, or junior high to senior high, or even high school to college. But even if they aren’t moving to a new school, a new grade brings new challenges. Let them know that you are there for them. Foster an atmosphere in which they feel comfortable talking about their struggles. Listen. Listen hard. Many times, we as grown-ups want to quickly distribute our “sage” advice.   Children, however, want us to hear them, too. And don’t shortchange their experiences just because they are kids. To them, their experiences can be heartbreaking, no matter how silly they seem to us as adults. Most importantly, reinforce to your children that they are not alone. Remind them to trust in God as they go through their school day. Teach them to pray and to do right. Make sure that they are as mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared as possible.     The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. We are praying that your children have the best year as they go back to school!

10 Things to Do with Your Child This Summer

Posted on May 1, 2023

The R.O.C.K. Club Cares About Your Family Connections

With the arrival of May, here is a list of 10 things to do with your child this summer. The coming season is a great time to strengthen your family connections. The children are out of school, or your college student may be home for a few months. There will be a significant amount of time to spend together, so don’t spend it separately.   We here at The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, care about your family connections. Time spent with your children is always important, and more than just mindless fun. It is a time when you prepare them for the future, even by your example. God has created children to be knowledge “sponges.” Your children are going to learn how to live life from somebody. If you are too “busy,” and it is not you, who will it be? This summer, make some great memories, and show your family that you love them, not just tell them. Obviously, this list of 10 things to do with your child is not a comprehensive list. The most important thing is to go and do something.    

10 Things to Do with Your Child This Summer

Put down your phone. Turn off the television. Hide the gaming console controllers. As mentioned above, there is a significant amount of time to spend together with your children. You may argue that there isn’t, but there really is. Understandably, your job takes a high priority, and you must run errands. But aside from that, what is most important to you? What you spend your time on will reveal that.    

Hiking

Simply take a walk in the woods together. Get some fresh air and enjoy God’s creation.  

Amusement Park

Set aside a day at an amusement park to ride roller coasters and play games. Watch your children enjoy themselves, and allow yourself to be a kid again, too.    

Baseball Game

Even if your family members are not sports fans, enjoying a baseball game together can be a fun, bonding experience.  

Family Vacation

It doesn’t matter where – the beach, the mountains, or anywhere in between – just unplug and get away together.  

Movie

Declare a family movie night. Whether you go to the theater or stream something, grab some popcorn and settle in together.  

Play in the Backyard

Mr. Rogers once said, “For children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Let them play and get dirty. Lose the “dignity” of being an adult, and join them.  

Ride Bikes

Get some exercise, enjoy the fresh air, and feed their sense of adventure and exploration.  

Read Together

Do we really need to read books when we have modern technology? Yes! Reading with your children helps them to develop, and also creates a precious bonding experience.    

Sit Around a Fire Pit

Turn off the television and your phone, and enjoy a simple evening around a fire. Roast some hot dogs and marshmallows, talk, and relax.    

Just Be Together

Dance, sing, and laugh. Whatever you do, just do it together. Show them that you love them. Create memories that will last a lifetime.    

Your Family is Important

These are just 10 suggestions of things to do with your child. There is so much more that you can do. The most important thing is to do it together. Give your family all of your attention. You only have so many years to love and influence your children. It may feel like you have all the time in the world, but those years will pass quickly. The most important investment of your life beside your relationship with God is your family. How are you investing in it?   The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. We pray that you are excited to explore different things to do with your child!