When he showed up with our dinner, I could barely believe my eyes — this was a kid! What kind of kid does this??
Let me explain. My husband frequents a local coffee shop, and gets to know the baristas. He had often chatted with one in particular, a guy named Christian. Turns out one day Jeff had shared with him about a difficult season we were in. In response, (after asking Jeff’s permission), Christian took the initiative to coordinate—and personally deliver—dinners out to our house the following week.
Now, I was already floored that someone I had never met was willing to bring us meals (we live a long way out of town).
I was further floored that this person was a guy (sorry, but usually it’s the moms who think of things like meal-delivery!).
But I was completely floored when this guy showed up and looked barely old enough to drive.
He was 21. With a wide, bright smile, he was respectful and kind, talking at length with our kids, admiring our home, and hand-delivering a nutritious meal made by his mom. He was clearly a go-getter, working part-time while also going to school and pursuing his passion in a creative career while also serving in his church.
I soon discovered he was one of 7 brothers … all homeschooled.
Ah. As soon as he left, I looked at Jeff and said, “That’s why we homeschool. I want to raise kids like that.“
It’s remarkable to see young people who take initiative. That is, they don’t just follow the rules, do the least amount of work possible, wait for someone to offer them options, or live self-absorbed. They are proactive, looking for ways to grow, learn, excel, serve. They take responsibility.
They’re leaders. That’s what I want for my own kids, and probably you do too.
As parents, one of the critical transitions to help our kids make is from being merely responders (obeying our commands), to initiators (proactively seeking to do good). This had already been on my radar all year, and the interaction with Christian encouraged my efforts all the more.
So, here are 4 suggestions for teaching our kids to take initiative: {Read the rest over at Simple Homeschool…thanks!}