This week, the call was officially made. Schools will be closed through the end of the school year. A few kids may express happiness about the super long break they’ll have this year, but that’s not what most people are feeling.
Most are experiencing various levels of grief. With the cancelation of school comes the cancelation of things our kids are going to miss out on.
Our kids didn’t even get that chance to celebrate the end of the year, say goodbye to teachers and friends they may never see again. A very important season was just taken from them and a lot of kids are left asking, “why?”
Those feeling grief even more are our High School seniors. An entire class of high school students around the country/world will never get to experience the fun and exciting conclusion of their school experience. This isn’t going to be easy to just get over.
Parent Cue published a powerful article called “To the Parents of the Class of 2020.” This is an excellent read for parents of seniors and all parents helping their kids deal with the grief they’re feeling.
Two things from the article worth remembering are:
It’s okay to not be okay. What happened. What is happening. It’s not okay. It’s okay to be angry, frustrated, sad. All the feelings are okay. They are real. But it’s important to know that you’re going to be okay. “Sometimes we don’t get to choose the role we play, but we always get to choose how well we play the role. This is one of those times.”
Choosing to do what is right. We may need to remind ourselves daily that we don’t have to feel like doing the right thing to do the right thing. Our emotions may catch up later, after choosing to do the right thing. We have a lot of choices ahead of us and choosing to play this role well may result in a gift better than the traditional senior year experiences.
Lastly, here’s a verse that may guide us and our kids during this time of grief. Write it out. Put it on the refrigerator. Write it on the bathroom mirror. Put your own name in the verse to make it personal:
“You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. (Insert your name) has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from (her or him).” —Luke 10:41-42
To read the referenced article, click here.
NextGen Pastor at MISSION Community Church
Leading in Children’s Ministry since 1997, Kenny Conley has been the NextGen Pastor (supporting youth, kids, and families) at MISSION Community Church since 2016. Kenny and his wife, Sara, live in Gilbert, AZ, and have three children (Titus, Genevieve, and Elle). Kenny loves hiking, watching movies and is always on the lookout for the perfect burger.