As a missionary parent of school-aged children, one thing you know about is having to figure out what to do for education when it’s time to come home for furlough.  If you’re a homeschooler, it may be a little easier than if your children are attending a school.   This transition encompasses a change of locations, buildings and teachers, but it can also include a change of languages, instructional systems and values.  In the book “Fitted Pieces”, advice is offered to enable parents to help their children with this issue.

One helpful thing is to alert your kids that changes are coming, and what those changes might look like. 

Another thing is to make sure that your child’s educational history is accurate and complete.  It’s kind of like the idea of a transcript like we keep for high school aged students, but keeping track of the kinds of things your child has learned in a particular school year.

 If your child is going to be attending a new school, being able to take a tour of that school and get an idea of what the buildings are like before classes begin for them can be helpful. 

I know many of our families have dealt with this issue.  If you would, take a few minutes to send me an email (pkonnerup@bbfimissions.com) of things that worked for you as you transitioned to the US, or things that you learned or wish you had known.  I will compile them to include in my next blog in March.  And I will be glad to keep the information anonymous if you so desire.

Since this is November, we Americans turn our thoughts to Thanksgiving and being thankful.   If you are interested in some free resources dealing with Thanksgiving or gratitude, please visit www.Education.com. 

Search for” Thanksgiving” or “Gratitude” and you will find many free worksheets and activity ideas you can use with your kids this month.

Let me close this blog by saying I am thankful for you, our missionary families, and pray that God continues to bless you and strengthen you as you serve Him!

Pam Konnerup