Our middle child broke down in bed last night. He was distraught, as much as an 11 year old boy can be. He told me that he didn’t enjoy school, because children were just mean. He just didn’t feel like he had any friends. He gave the impression that it was almost impossible to make friends. His heart was breaking. I could tell he wanted to say more, but he just didn’t know how to communicate it.

As a mom, I just want to hold him and tell him it will all be okay. I want to be a fly at school and see just how horrible it is and what exactly it is that makes it hard to make friends. I want to protect. At the same time I want to give him the chance to become a wise young man who realizes that friends come and go and that when all is said and done, God is our only true blue Friend.

I am so grateful that my son opened up, as little as it may have been. It is imperative that we create a safe haven for our children in this tough world. We don’t want to push our children to seek out others or destructive habits to fulfill their desire to belong. When our children feel safe, they can endure the hard times.

This safe place starts with a solid foundation and that can only be found in Christ. My husband and I must make sure that our children know their Creator and His love for them. Then they must be able to see Christ in us. Then and only then will they be able to make it through all the difficult times that will come their way.

Parents, your children need you—at every stage of life. We must make our homes a soft place to land.
It’s tough being a kid.

Home should be a retreat to which children
can return in triumph or defeat, in victory
or disgrace, and know they are loved.
Author Unknown (Lists to Live By for Every Caring Family, pg. 162)