(This post was written by Gina McClain, Director of Children’s Ministries)

I don’t know about your family, but when it comes to the Back to School season it’s really more of a Back to Normal season.

The summer is filled with so much activity that late nights and random dinner times prevail.  Back to School means back to early bedtimes, regular mealtimes and far less kids running throughout my home.  Okay… maybe there aren’t far less kids running through my home… it’s just concentrated between the hours of 3:30 and 5 pm.

A change in season like this means a change in rhythm for our families.  Don’t forget that, in the midst of school, sports and other extra-curricular you are the one to determine the rhythms of your family.  If you don’t, then your schedule will.  Pretty soon, you find yourself parenting more from the steering wheel than you care to.

As this busy season ramps up, stop for a moment and consider how much time you need with your kids in order to really invest in them.  Rev Run (remember Run DMC?) says this,

“You are the greatest influence in your child’s life.  Don’t squander that power.”

Consider how you can shape your schedule this fall to ensure that you can be the influence you desire to be.  Don’t forget that fpKids is here to put tools/ideas in your hands to help you connect.

Here are some ideas:

• One night per week complete a “God Time” devotional together.
• Pull a card from your family activity cards and do whatever it says. (Don’t have one?  Ask me, and I’ll get you one)
• Open the Psalms and read one per week together.
• Commit to dinner around the table so many times per week and stick to it!