EMPOWERING STUDENT WELLNESS

ACTS OF LOVE

By Matt Edwards (Secondary Chaplain) 

There are probably many of us that fear there is only a fine line between wrapping our kids in cotton wool and overwhelming them with responsibility! And it seems like a difficult balance to manage. But there is a way to help our kids know they are loved, while also showing them a way of life that gets them looking beyond their own enjoyment. 

Acts of love towards our kids, is our focus today. Sometimes I think that we forget that we are doing the laundry, dishes, making meals, getting up to them at night, comforting them when their upset, taking them here, there, and everywhere: because we love them. 

Possibly one of my least favourite things to do, is to wash the dishes and put them away. 

I don’t exactly know why. I recognise that a big challenge for me then, is to bring myself to do the dishes because I love my family, my wife and my kids. Too often, I don’t have this in mind. But by doing it, I am enabling them to be fed. It’s all part of the process! 

And what this can do for our kids, is to make them feel safe. That they know they are protected. That someone has their back. Some say that this will make our kids codependent. That we will just be producing kids that will not move out of home until their 30’s. Rather, it teaches them about belonging, and looking beyond themselves. 

If I do the dishes (or anything for that matter) begrudgingly, it gives the message that, ‘I wish I didn’t have to do this for you.’ Ouch. Alternatively, if our kids see that love follows through to action, it gives the idea of what it then could mean for them to love with action. 

To express their care for others in tangible ways. Further to this, it helps them to become grateful as they participate in these things, and begin to see how much others are already doing for them. 

If our kids know that when they come home, they are coming to a place where they are safe, this can be a wellspring for them. A place of belonging, recharging, being served and serving. You might think I make this all sound too good to be true. But what is the hoped-for outcome? Kids who are well loved, and know how to love well too. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me.

For more information that explores this topic please follow the below links:

https://bhcs.vic.schooltv.me/content/blog/positive-parenting-powerful-ways-raise-healthy-kids

https://bhcs.vic.schooltv.me/content/blog/navigating-challenges-stepfamily-life

WELLBEING RESOURCES

We know that it can sometimes be hard to find the necessary resources in relation to mental health, bullying and family violence, especially when things are tough. For this reason, the School has a small webpage with links related to health and wellbeing resources. This can be found on the School's website under Other Resources or can be found here.