The holiday is here. Don't Just Occupy Your Child, Develop Them.

Hello parents.

The school holidays are here, and I'd like to ask you one important question:

Have you intentionally planned your child's holiday activities?

Not just where they'll stay or vacationing. Not just who's going to watch them. But also who they will become by the end of these holidays.

Because of my practice and interaction with families, I've come to understand something very important:

Children don't just grow older, they grow in the direction of the environments they're exposed to. Environment shapes human behaviour.

Holidays are never neutral, things happen. Children are always learning from someone or something, whether it's social media, television, friends, or an environment intentionally designed to help them grow. Note: If you are not one designing the environment, someone else is. That's why growth doesn't happen by chance; it happens by design.

John Maxwell Law of Growth has the ‘’The Law of design’’.  The Law states that to maximize growth, develop strategies. 

So the question isn't whether your child will be influenced or grow this holiday. The real question is:

• Who or what will influence them this holiday?

• What is the strategy for their growth?

• What is the planned design for their growth?

Instead of simply filling your child's time without careful thought, let's fill their lives with experiences that build them.

I wholeheartedly recommend intentionally structured, planned activities that will add value. Include movies, documentaries, books (biographies, histories etc). Others can be vocational and of course spiritual (camp meetings). And then spend time to review, discuss these learning outcomes. By this you are creating an environment where children are intentionally nurtured to:

• Develop healthy friendships

• Build confidence

• Discover their gifts and potential

• Learn teamwork and leadership

• Grow in godly values

• Deepen their relationship with Jesus

  
  

These are the experiences that shape a child's future.

As parents, we invest in our children's education because we want them to succeed academically. But we must also invest in their character, faith, emotional resilience, and personal development, because these are the foundations of lasting success.

Imagine your child returning to school next term after the break with:

• Greater confidence

• Stronger values

• New friendships

• A deeper love for God

• A renewed sense of purpose

  
  

Those are gifts that will remain long after the holiday is over.

So as you plan this holiday, don't just ask:

"What will my child do?"

Ask instead:

"Who will my child become because of this holiday?"

Remember this holiday, don't just keep your child occupied. Develop them.

Because a child's future is not built only during the school term. Some of life's greatest lessons are learned during the holidays, when parents intentionally choose environments that help their children grow.

This is the greatest investment we will ever make is in the lives of our children.

Thank you, and God bless you.