It is time for school. There are multiple lists to check: clothing, textbooks, supplies, transportation, after-school activities and more. You know the drill. However, there is one important matter that you don’t want to overlook – your marriage.
The challenges of school are hard on a marriage. Time, relationship,and communication can be consumed by the demands of school. The relationship between mom and dad can easily shift into one where scheduling and time pressure become the main focus.
Is your marriage ready for school?
Don’t be afraid to ask the question. Fathers should take the leadership role here. Mothers, though, should not hold back from encouraging this conversation. Spend time with each other. Talk about the challenges of the new school year and how you will meet them. Most importantly, talk to each other about how you are doing. Is this coming year a transition year, one where there there are new teachers, new schools, perhaps a different house or a different job? Talk to each other about the obstacles this new school year will bring.
Talk about your relationship. How is it? Are there rough spots, points of tension? Are there unresolved issues from the previous school year? They won’t get better on their own.
This conversation is vital. Pray with each other and for each of your children. Identify the things you need to work on in your marriage. If you are not on the same page as the school year starts, you won’t magically become closer as the school year advances. Make the commitment to love each enough to make whatever changes are necessary.
Is your marriage ready for school? Invest the time with each other, the Lord and his word to be sure that it is. Getting your marriage ready for school may be the best gift that you can give to your children and to each other!
