Men IN Action,
When you become a parent, you quickly realize how important developing a routine is. Structure is everything for a child. Naptime, mealtime, bathtime, and bedtime all become the natural rhythm of life because children thrive in routine.
The flip-side to this coin is that children HATE change. If they don’t have Mr. Hippo at their side during naptime, they refuse to sleep. If you only read them two bedtime stories, they will cry until they hear the third. When anything changes, children are sure to let you know that they do not like it.
Change isn’t just hard for kids.
Change is hard for us adults too. As a high school teacher and parent of three school-aged daughters, I have lived that truth over the last few months. I know you have, too. It is hard to pivot on a dime and move all instruction online. It is hard to co-teach our own children while also trying to get our own work done. It is hard to lead our families in the midst of a time when we don’t know what the future will hold, when a vaccine for COVID-19 might be available, or even which media outlet to trust.
While we don’t always choose what happens to us, we do get to choose how we respond to what happens to us.
However, just because it has been hard to lead during 2020 doesn’t mean we have an excuse not to lead. And while we don’t always choose what happens to us, we do get to choose how we respond to what happens to us. We might not choose what school looks like this year, but we can choose to be positive with our school-aged children. We might not choose whether or not to wear a mask in certain settings, but we can choose to be kind to everyone we encounter. We might not be happy with the result of political elections this Fall, but we can choose not to rant and rave on social media.
Choosing to lead.
One quote I keep returning to during these unprecedented times is from Latin author Publilius Syrus who writes, “anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm”. Well, this year has been anything but calm waters and the world needs strong leaders more than ever while the storms rage. Our families, our community, and our nation need leaders who are willing to hold the helm in a way that keeps our ship safe through these storms.
Let’s choose to lead in a way that brings unity, even if we have to cope with unwanted changes that make our routines look very different than usual.
Sincerely,
Adam Clark
Avon High School Teacher
A Man IN Action
P.S. We’re seven weeks away from the October 1 Men IN Action Breakfast. Our guest speaker is NHRA Top Fuel Dragster world champion, Antron Brown. In order to maintain social distance requirements, we’re limiting this event to the first 125 men. >> Register today
Tech Safety Webinar
Children and youth are spending more time online than ever before. Parents, are you equipped to keep your kids safe online? Join us Thursday evening for this interactive, 90-minute webinar.
Church Leader Breakfast
Church leaders – clergy and volunteer, paid and unpaid – are invited to join us on September 9 at Radiant Bible Church in Avon. Meet others who serve in area churches and walk away with your hands full of resources.
Men IN Action Breakfast
The Men IN Action breakfast is scheduled for October 1 at Washington Township Park Pavilion. In order to maintain social distance, registration will be limited to the first 125 men who sign up. Don’t miss out!
