I don’t like to see crying children either...sad little kids, when their typical charism is joy.  It tugs at the heart.  Then again, the reason for the tears matters considerably.   It is not uncommon to see a wailing child in the drop-off line.  I have found three reasons that are the most common causes:

The first two are much easier than the last, and I’d like to focus on the top pair. My line to the little one in the depths of despair: “We are so glad you are here, we can manage without your supplies, but we can’t manage without you!”  Sometimes they buy it, sometimes not, but it gives us a place to start. Today I radioed into the office and Mrs. Minchow, with all the authority in the world, came back over the radio and assured the child they could manage without their backpack. Funny how a voice over a walkie talkie helps.  That, accompanied by a parent walking them to the school door got the child into school. Learning how to manage disappointment is an essential skill in life. That little girl made a big step toward learning to handle forgetting something. I’m glad I could help, as their parent began to say, “Should I go…”  That’s where the “We are glad you are here...” line on my part began. It can be so tempting to rescue little ones...Do I sound mean, not wanting to rescue poor little five year olds? What I really want is for them to know they are so much more important than their bookbag or their lunch. We will manage. I will never throw stones at parents if kids forget their things. We learn through experiencing the natural consequences of living through what we forget. Eventually we hopefully learn that people are more important than things--infinitely so.   God gives us those credentials in the first chapter of His Work.  “He made them in His Image”...Genesis 1:27.

Shouldn’t a good administrator be encouraging responsibility?  When they are wailing, there is no lack of desire for doing what is right on the part of the child. That is the time to learn that sometimes we forget and that things will be OK. It can be one of the first steps in learning to fight perfectionism. Perfectionism can kill life; learning to be OK in the face of disappointment is essential as we mature...I still don’t do it well sometimes, but knowing the Lord’s love sure helps. I find myself saying, “Well, it isn’t essential for salvation"...and trying to move on...unless, of course, the thing at hand is essential for salvation, and then go right ahead and get as upset as I need to be to rectify the situation.

I have to close with one postscript. When a child wails in front of their parents about an item they forgot, nine times out of ten, as soon as they are out of earshot of parents the tears and wailing stop quite quickly and they move on well. They know you love them and sometimes a well-placed tear helps their cause. We love your kids and want to help them learn for life, big lessons and little lessons.  Learning how to handle disappointment is a big one.  May the Good Lord help us all through that one.  Thanks for letting us help with your children.

Sr. Mary Michael, C.K.

Thursday, September 28: Home Volleyball games, 5:45, 6:45

Friday, September 29: 2nd grade Class Mass; 3rd/4th grade confessions; last day for uniform shorts

Saturday, September 30: Cross Country Meet 9 a.m. at Pioneer Park; CK Outdoor workday 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 1: St. Therese feast day; Life Chain 2:30 p.m.; Parish Picnic 4-6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 2: St. Therese celebration at school

Tuesday, October 3: 3rd grade field trip

Wednesday, October 4: Chipotle Dine-out Night; Leadership Board mtg.