The Queensland Department of Education has released some guidelines for children as they return to school next week.

While details may vary between schools, they’ve asked everyone to please follow the protocols so we can keep our schools and communities safe.

For more up-to-date information about the return to school on Monday 25 May 2020, please visit https://qed.qld.gov.au/…/frequently-asked-questions-for-par…

Last week, the ABC aired an episode of Q+A entitled ‘Young and Free?’, focusing on concerns that young Australians have about life after COVID-19.

Guest panelists wrestled with questions directly from young people about education, employment, the environment, isolation, and mental health.

Strong concerns were expressed about what the coming weeks, months and years might hold for them. One young person, looking right at the camera, asked, “What are we supposed to do next, like literally, next…?”

It’s such a strange and worrying time for our young people.

I watched and wondered what the answers to such complex problems could be and where such solutions might come from? Panelists offered up various options and likely sources for solutions – governments, businesses, local communities. All reasonable suggestions given the concerns.

I thought to myself, “What hope do these young people have? Where are they going to get their help?”

Then another question popped into my head – one from the Bible…

“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

The danger of a verse like this is that it can be read in a glib way, citing “God” as the one-size-fits-all answer to life’s many complex and serious questions. “Where will our jobs come from?” God. “Can we make our economy environmentally sustainable?” God. “What can I do about my crippling anxiety?” God.

I don’t want to treat young people’s concerns or take God’s name in vain in such a flippant way.

But, the beauty of a verse like this is the deep truth that lies within it. The kind of truth that doesn’t necessarily solve life’s complex and serious problems, but offers a way of moving and being in the world while we live through them.

Australian young people are not highly religious beings. Many who grow up in Christian contexts drift out of those in their teenage years and move on to attempts at stitching together a way of moving and being in the world they hope might get them through. These are strange and worrying times. They’d be wanting something pretty robust to meet the challenge, but I fear it’s an impossible task.

There isn’t a lot of research out there about what helps Australian young people discover that God, the maker of heaven and earth, might be where their help could come from. What we do know is that strong families, good friends and a connected church community are good influences in this space.*

So, as families let’s pray for our governments, businesses and local communities and encourage them as they seek solutions to the problems that trouble our young people.

Let’s play a role in helping to build a more hopeful world.

Let’s be there with our young people as they ask their questions and wrestle with their concerns. Let’s listen, encourage, understand and offer small daily supports.

In these ways, we can at least encourage them to lift their eyes to see where their help might come from.

About the author…

Steve has over 30 years experience in school, community and church-based youth work. He is currently working as the Training & Development Manager at SU QLD, overseeing teams that deliver training and produce resources for SU QLD staff and volunteers. He holds post-graduate qualifications in Social Work, Politics & Government, and Christian Studies.

*Hughes, P. & Reid, S. (2019). How Australian Young People Understand and Experience God and influences on their Thinking: A Review of Secondary Research and Literature Study. Converge Oceania.

Compassion Australia have partnered with Colin Buchanan to produce Kids’ Talks – a new video series featuring short talks, Bible readings, prayers and of course, music!

Click here to access these great songs and materials! https://bit.ly/2zgaYNr

We found this podcast episode from Healthed Australia really interesting!

In it, host Dr harry Nespolon (GP and RACGP President) along with guest Professor Kesley Hegarty (Chair in Family Violence Prevention, University of Melbourne and The Royal Women’s Hospital), discuss the impact of lock-down and isolation on domestic violence in Australia.

They talk about…

• Police reports are up, yet calls to helplines are down – why?
• The impact on children who witness domestic violence
• Role of the GP in this situation

To have a listen, click here: https://omny.fm/shows/healthed-australia/going-viral-domestic-violence-during-lock-down

It could be a break from school, a rainy day, a sick day, or just a general period of doldrums.

Kids often experience frustration when they feel that they’ve run out of exciting activities or tasks, especially in modern times of continual entertainment and over-stimulation.

We want to keep children engaged and occupied, but we don’t need them to be constantly glued to a screen.

Click here to access 30 creative ideas to get kids physically, spiritually, compassionately or academically active: https://ministry-to-children.com/fun-biblical-boredom-busters-activities/

In 2012 my life took a significant turn – I became a grandparent.

‘Pa’ was born and, as with any new birth, finding my identity and role is a continuing quest.

With each successive grandchild (now totaling 5) this journey continues to evolve with some aspects gaining clearer focus.

Someone once said that raising children was never going to be easy when it begins with something called ‘labour’. For this reason, every parent needs a support network to help with this responsibility.

Grandparents are vital team members of this support group.

It is clear to me that grandparenting is important to God, with countless references to the role played by the ancestors of the tribes and nation, so it should be important to us today.

In the flow of my life through work, church, home and community I have, and continue to fill many roles. So it is in my role as ‘Pa’ – let me describe just 5 of them…

1. Detective

I need to get to know and understand each of these precious gifts. Asking questions opens windows into their lives.

Check the internet for questions you can ask children. Here are a few to get you started:

• What do you like daydreaming about?
• What would you do if you made the rules at home?
• If you could give $100 to someone else, who would you choose?

2. Historian

I like Arthur Kornhaber’s words when he calls grandparents “living time machines that transport children to the past through firsthand accounts of family history.”

Tell the stories of their parents, laugh together about the funny photos, create a family tree.

3. Mentor

We are provided with unique opportunities to walk alongside them on their journey through life, encourage them on their way, acknowledging their developing gifts, believing in their dreams and nurturing their strengths.

Telling stories about God from the Bible and from my own life are gifts as they find and grow their own spiritual identity.

4. Entertainer

Playing endless games, reading stories, hosting sleepovers, meals together, special outings, creating memories, and so on.

I have become a magician – expending large amounts of energy for an hour and then ‘disappearing’ for 30 minutes!

5. Pray-er

There is no greater gift than praying for your grandchildren every day. Pray a blessing over them as you/they leave e.g. “May the Lord bless and protect you, show you mercy and kindness, be good to you and give you peace.” (based on Numbers 6:24-26).

Choose a life verse for each grandchild when they are born and pray that verse for them for their life

Text verses at times when they are needed. Ask them how you can pray for them.

Whatever your roles may be, remember that grandparenting is a journey of love—one that requires your flexibility, adaptability, patience, and commitment. We will fail – but let’s fail forward!

About the author…

Terry is married to Marg and they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. His developing gifts are in UNO, LEGO, Monopoly, racing cars, fairies, dinosaurs and Zooper Doopers. Terry is also a specialist in ministry with families and children at Scripture Union Queensland, where he has worked for 36 years.

ParentTV is a well-known and well-respected organisation in the the parenting/advice space.

They have countless videos from experts across sectors including psychology, psychiatry, early childhood, behavioral science, speech pathology and many more.

Their content is aimed at providing confidence for parents by giving them access to reliable information and relevant advice for the situations they find themselves in.

They also have content for kids – specific to different age groups!

To access ParentTV’s child-focused videos, click here: https://parenttv.com/child-topics/

COVID-19 has brought rapid changes to our daily life, together with uncertainty and dramatic news headlines.

Some people may be feeling worried or depressed at the moment, especially if they already have some mental health problems.

There are many services that can help without the need to leave home. During this crisis, Australians can use Medicare to talk to health practitioners about mental health.

There are also other ways to get help on a phone, computer or tablet.

The guys at eMHprac have produced a fantastic fact sheet to collate some of the places you or someone you know can get support in the mental health space.

Click here to download the FREE FACT SHEET: https://www.emhprac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Factsheet-1.pdf

Lionheart’s Disciples is a children’s discipleship program focused on introducing children to the core beliefs of the Christian faith.

It comes in the form of a workbook, which includes 40 studies around God’s character and the salvation story. The target age is 7-14 year-olds.

If you’re interested in this resource, find out more at: http://lionheartsdisciples.com/

Recently I shared a meal with a couple who had bought their young son a guinea pig. In itself, this is common practice. The motive for adopting this ‘family member’ stood out to me and spoke a lot about their thought-filled approach to parenting.

They explained that as Guinea pigs have short lives, this would create a space in which their child could learn about life and death in a gentle way.

Amidst everything we want to teach our children, we may give little thought to educating them about grief. Although loss is inevitable, it often takes us by surprise and finds us unprepared.

As we navigate this season of COVID-19, I wonder if it might provide some opportunities to equip our kids in this area. Many of my chats in the schoolyard have been about loss and change – maybe some of what I’ve learned along the way will be helpful.

Grief is associated with most change and loss

Grief and death are not exclusively connected. Most loss and change brings a level of grief. COVID-19 has brought many changes to the lives our kids once knew. Missed sporting matches, camps, school events, time with friends and extended family, and celebrations are all losses. There may also be some bigger hurts – death of a loved one, loss of family income and deferred family goals and dreams. As people we form attachments to people, places, possibilities and objects; when those things are lost, we grieve. 

Grief needs to be witnessed by others

A grief therapist called William Worden claims we need to be ‘seen’ as we grieve. This is different from attempting to rescue our kids from pain and is the opposite of encouraging them with a dismissive ‘things could be worse’ kind of perspective. Let’s take the time to really see and hear the hearts of our children and teens. To explain how our bodies can signal emotions, as well as to model and teach a vocabulary for feelings. Using emojis and illustrations can be a good prompt for conversation and decrease the need for words.

Grief can challenge and shape our view of God 

Don’t expect to wrap the whole COVID-19 thing into one neat spiritual explanation for your children. Not only is this approach unhelpful, it also deprives our children of the chance to join us as we question what God is doing right now. Wondering, searching and doubting are all part of the journey. Share Bible stories of times when God’s people lost what they had and faced uncertainty; talk about the lessons they learned and the wisdom they gained. Take time to listen, discuss and record what you are learning together.

There can be celebration in the middle of grief

Don’t forget to create the opportunity for fun, celebration and joy. It’s healthy to alternate between being real about what has been lost and having some time away from the grief. Get ideas from your kids; be creative and play. This will send the empowering message that even a small child can choose to act in a way that provides relief from their sadness.

So before you rush out and buy a small rodent with a short lifespan – consider what COVID-19 might be for your family. I think it can help us to parent in a way that prepares our children to walk into changing times with a loving God.

About the author…

Andrea is a former secondary school teacher and counsellor. She has worked as a school chaplain for over 19 years and now also serves part-time on SU QLD’s Children and Youth Program Team, delivering training and professional development to chaplains and youth workers. Andrea and her husband are parents to three adult children and grandparents to two.