If you can hear me, raise your hand

WARNING: This post is a sappy little story from a proud mom. If you are sick of reading about people's kids, this is not the blog for you today. This is one of those posts that is more like a journal entry.

I got to do something today that I haven't done for at least 15 years... attend a school assembly! Austin's teacher called me yesterday to tell me that he would be receiving an award today at assembly and I should be there with camera in hand. Say no more! She has no idea who she's talking to.

So this morning I had to wake up poor Ashley just 30 minutes after she started her morning nap (hate that!) in order to make it to the school at 10 am. I didn't tell Austin I was coming and he didn't know he was getting the award until just before the assembly. I walked up to the commons area and slipped behind a wall so he didn't know I was there. I snapped a shot of him checking out his award.



The kids sang "Advance Australia Fair" then the principal called up all the kids in the various classes who were receiving the award. (Note: it's strange not to know the national anthem of the country you are living in. I felt weird not singing) The award is called "TRAKS" which stands for tolerance, respect, acceptance, kindness and support. His teacher wrote on it, "for being kind and a caring friend".



I was so happy that my son was being chosen for this little award. I realize that it's only 1st grade and that many other kids will get this award throughout the year, but I am really proud of him. I know a lot of kids who would definitely NOT be chosen, kids who are mean, who bully, they tease, they hit and kick, etc. My son is not one of those kids and I love him for that. He does not pick fights. He would never call another kid "Stupid" or anything similar. I hope that this is always the case!



I am glad that Austin's school praises kids who show these traits and not just those who are successful in the academic arena. It reinforces what we are trying to teach him at home. I think most importantly, we need to be a good example of these traits. We can't kid ourselves into thinking our children won't notice or won't develop those negative characteristics. Whether we gossip, curse, belittle, bully, complain, criticize, or whatever. They are always watching and soaking it all up.

"More children are punished for mimicking their parents than ever for disobeying them. We should be what we want to see.” (LeGrand Curtis Nov 1990 Ensign)

I found this quote while working on my talk for this Sunday, which is about having a Christ centered home in a world of turmoil. I have been thinking about these concepts and about what we teach and the type of spirit we have in our home.
I feel such a huge reponsiblity for the raising of my children, almost overwhelming. This quote really hit me:

Our society is interfering with the family-first feature, Dr. Paul Pearsall says. We are in familial bankruptcy and have fallen into the hands of receivers such as schools, businesses, recreational pursuits, and numerous institutional demands. The issue is not one of setting priorities; the issue is one of making difficult choices for the family. There can only be one number one, he stresses. Is it your family? He makes this emphatic statement: I warn you that if your family does not come first, your family will not last. (Pearsall, The Power of the Family, p. 18.)



So today as I thought about Austin receiving this award, I rededicated myself to being a better example in our home.
TRAKS= tolerance, respect, acceptance, kindness, support