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GOOD LIVING

Back to School Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

At the moment of writing this, we are planning
a blitzkrieg end-of-summer family trip to the
hill country. Our plan is to rise at 4:30 a.m.,
hit the road at five, devour kolaches in West,
TX, then head directly for Enchanted Rock
State Park. When we arrive, we’ll hike the
granite dome summit, which rests a near ½
mile from the base. Afterwards, we’ll head
into Fredericksburg for food, wine tastings,
homemade ice cream, shopping, and a visit to a
peach orchard. It’s our last ditch effort to grasp
on to summer fun together before it fleets away.

Nevertheless, school will begin and our
time will be jammed with games, practices,
homework, meetings, and studying. Every
single year I feel we floor it in August and drive
“white-knuckled” all the way to December,
grab a breath, and do it again till next summer.
I do love back-to-school, but now with two of
my kids graduated, I’ve realized how harried
I’ve been in the past and how much I’ve missed
as we get up each morning and rush out the
door. So here are a few lessons I’ve learned
that have helped us get more out of the
back-to-school rat race.

First, remember, as parents, our ultimate job
is to guide kids to maturity so they leave
home well. My oldest boys are both pursuing
professions that make a direct impact on
people. The first-born is progressing toward
firefighting and my second son leaves for
Marine bootcamp in September. We’ve endured
rough spots, but Angie and I stuck to our rules
and we fight to stay close with them, and I
couldn’t be more proud of the direction that
they are pursuing—and as a bonus both of them

have grown from being sons to my closest
of friends.

Second, don’t forget that school is a priority.
Of course, we all agree, but often our schedules
don’t reflect it. I’ve had countless kids that
were so busy at night that they couldn’t
complete homework and couldn’t stay awake in
class. Remember, it’s about doors opening for
them in life, and if you can’t read or do simple
math, it really doesn’t matter the number of
touchdowns you scored in little league. As
parents, we are gatekeepers of our family time
and the time they need for school. Be involved,
absolutely, but if the kids are just scraping by,
it might be time to hit the brakes a little.

Finally, encourage them to greatness, no
matter their path. My youngest son graduates
this year; he’s the one that we always figured
would become the brain surgeon and out earn
us all, but he’s considering the Marines like
his brother and from there, maybe college.
My 4th grade daughter is determined to be a
vet, but who knows, she’s got plenty of time…
but we don’t. It’ll pass like the summer wind
and they’ll be grown and I don’t want to miss
that time because of the breakneck pace
of back-to-school.

By Scott Gill of Rockwall,
teacher, coach and author
of Goliath Catfish. Follow
Scott’s blog at puptentpapa.
blogspot.com and read his
“Front Porch Ramblings”
at BlueRibbonNews.com.

Scott Gill

BALANCING THE

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

BLITZ

All day fun family festival that
benefits Meals on Wheels and
Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County.

September 24th

The Harbor

rockwallduckrace.org

Vendors • Food • Kids Zone • Live Music

BABY DUCK RACE PRIZES:

$1,000 VISA Gift Card

Sponsor: Hanby Insurance

$500 Kroger Gift Card

Sponsor:

Kroger

$250 VISA Gift Card

Sponsor: Home Instead Senior Care