Anyone who has more than one kid knows that their kids are different:
- The first slept through the night early, while the second refused to do so until well after their first birthday.
- One kid is easy-going, while the other is a little more…dramatic.
- One gobbles sushi and veggies eagerly, while the other refuses to eat any food that isn’t white.
It doesn’t take long to figure out that what worked for one kid might not necessarily work for the next. Most of us find ourselves switching up our parenting game – even if those changes are subtle – to effectively parent each individual child.
We know kids are different. We expect there to be unique qualities.
We want them to stand out.
But do we really?
{Seattle Christian School has partnered with AllMomDoes to sponsor this post and bring you this information.}
What if our kid stands out for the “wrong” reasons? What if they don’t conform to the mold? Then as parents we often find ourselves gently trying to smooth out their rough edges and fit them back into that mold.
Sometimes we do it without even realizing it.
- “That career won’t be very lucrative, sweetie. You should consider some of these others instead.“
- “Those colleges you’re considering aren’t very well-known. You should go to the one I attended.”
- “You can’t quit basketball. You’re so good at it!“
When our kids are three, we let them accompany us to the grocery store wearing their princess dresses, mismatched clothes, and goggles because we love their confidence, unique expression of who they are, and independence.
But when they get older we prefer them to be a little less unique.
Why is that?
Because the stakes are higher. And as parents we’re well-intentioned. Life is hard when you don’t fit in socially. Things can be tough if you live at the poverty level. We see our kid’s potential, and we want them to learn discipline and fully develop it.
Of course.
But what if we can guide our kids effectively while still fully embracing their uniqueness? Just as we let our toddler wear a cape to store but still made them wear shoes because that’s the right thing to do, we can coach and guide our kids without trying to squeeze them into a mold for which they weren’t made.
It feels so much easier to encourage independence in a child over whom we know we still have control. It’s so much harder when it’s a child who’s on the cusp of adulthood – and is actually independent.
One of the places where the mold is so rigid is the education system – and with education being so important, it’s no wonder parents feel pressure to lean on their kids and help them fit the mold. But the times are changing, with some schools like Seattle Christian School realizing that the way school has been structured in the past is outdated and not effective for the current age.
In fact, they are launching a new schedule this fall for grades 7-12 that “unhinges” the traditional ways of classroom learning, focusing more on uncovering students’ unique gifts and talents. Because God made each person unique – and if they’re going to help them live up to their potential, it’s critical to recognize, honor, and even celebrate that.
The New SCS Secondary School from Seattle Christian School on Vimeo.
Secondary Principal Matt Althoff explains, “We see that every student is uniquely gifted by God for His purpose and His glory. Our desire is to help students seek and understand their gifting, and to help prepare them for the paths that God lays out for them.
Every student is different. Every student brings a unique set of gifts, passions, and aspirations to Seattle Christian, and our call is to help our students to pursue those gifts, passions, and aspirations. We want them to graduate not only with a high school diploma, but also with a clear idea of what God is calling them to beyond high school.”
Seattle Christian School offers:
- Rigorous coursework that prepares all high school students for post-secondary education
- Worksite learning and internship opportunities that allow students to pursue their career interests and gain real-world experience
- Partnership with the Puget Sound Skills Center that helps students learn hands-on skills and trades to pursue their post-secondary goals
- Comprehensive counseling department that helps students and families identify students’ gifts, passions, and aspirations, and helps provide direction and resources for students
Interested in learning more? Check out their website, and get more details on their approach to personalized learning! Or check out this post that explains what they’re doing in more detail!
