Hug your kids tonight

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The unbelievable has happened at my sons' high school this week. Two students have died a week apart in completely unrelated incidents. One was a collapse during a basketball game, apparently due to an undiagnosed medical condition. The second death is possibly (actually quite likely) drug related. So incredibly sad because it was so preventable. The staff and students are experiencing an unimaginable sense of loss and confusion as to why this has happened.

Having two boys at this school, I have taken a very serious look at what is important as a parent. The boy who died suddenly during the basketball game has made me realize how important it its to always leave your child on a good note. Things sometimes get very hectic in the morning at our house and we get frustrated with one another when we aren't out the door on time. Little things like this aren't worth getting all upset over. You can assume you will see your child again at the end of the day to make things better, but you never know. I have no idea how this mother left her child this morning, but I can only hope it ended with an "I love you".

The drug related death has made me realize how much I need to recognize what my children are doing RIGHT. It is so easy to crack down on the missing homework and talking too much in class, but every child has good qualities and they should be reminded of them often. I will admit my younger son hasn't done that well this year (he's a freshman) due to some mixed up priorities when it comes to homework and studying. At the same time, he has NOT gotten involved in the wrong crowd, has not gotten involved in any type of trouble, and is still a good and caring person. I realized how much time I have spent focusing on what he needs to improve on, and have not been pointing out what he is doing right. Today, I thanked hime for all the good choices he has made and let him know the things he has done that make me proud.

Teens can be tough, but we need to not only look for the good inside them, but let them know that we notice. So... go hug your teen and tell them how much you appreciate the good that they do. Life is too precious and far too unpredictable to let these things go unnoticed. And, on a final note, don't forget to tell them you love them.

 

[YCFAN]

We unfortunately learned this leason about three years ago during my son's sophomore year in high school. Within about a two week period 4 of his fellow classmates and friends died. One was a suicide, one was a school bus accident and the other two were car accidents. On the anniversay of the suicide another student who was a close friend of the first one who committed suicide also took his life. There is absolutely nothing more important in life than letting your children know that you love them and that they are loved in general.

This is very selfish but my prayer has always been, Lord let me leave this world 10 minutes before either of my children do.

I can't imagine or even pretend to try to imagine the pain of losing a child.

 

[Talking Hands]

WE unfortunately learned this when my daughters were 10 and 6. A friend of my younger daughter who was in her baptism class with her was kidnapped and killed the day before her baptism. It was a horrible experience.
My husband has always sad I love you before he leaves the house to me and the girls. We all do this. His attitude is that the last thing he wants us to hear is that he loves us no matter what.

 

[petrymom]

what a sad story. I am sorry to hear about the two students. It really does make you think about what battles you should choose to fight, doesn't it?