College Career Consulting, parenting and Christmas: what do they have in common?

Nothing other than I'm passionate about all three of them! I'm not ashamed to admit that I blast Christmas songs all year, and if I could, my Christmas décor would stay up too! I decided to combine my three loves for this blog to share some thoughts.

"I'll be Home For Christmas"

Blink, and your babies will fly off to college! That's when you'll yearn to hear the title of this song. Trust me. I've been there. Parenting is a busy business and can rob us of moments we should slow down to cherish. Teach yourself to pick the right battles so you can fight for your teen's heart. Surround your children with a network of adults who have the same values you do. Avoid nagging and demanding perfectionism. Be patient and develop empathy towards them. Slow down to enjoy their stage of development and recognize the joy it brings them and your home. Intentionally invest in building a trust relationship with your teen. They need to know that you will always be a safe place when they leave home and need a haven.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

To some degree, every child can identify with Rudolph. The song was written by Robert L. May, who, having skipped grades, was younger than his classmates and felt that he didn't belong. He wrote himself into Rudolph, who was first envisioned as a children's book before becoming a Christmas song. The story of the scrappy young reindeer who felt like an outcast but ended up saving Christmas for everyone was actually autobiographical. As a College Career Consultant, I find great joy in helping students recognize their talents, personality, and aptitudes to use them to find their purpose and place in this world. Santa's belief in Rudolph changed his life forever because he recognized that Rudolph's nose was a unique gift. Your student needs to know that you believe in them and see their potentials. Observe them and then give them credit for their talents and skills rather than criticizing them for what they don't have.

Silent Night

Translated into over 300 languages, this carol was first performed on Christmas Eve in Austria, sending a message of peace into a time marked by war, hunger, disease, and natural disasters. Perhaps at no time in the song's history was this message more important than during the Christmas Truce of 1914, when, at the height of World War I, German and British soldiers on the front lines in Flanders laid down their weapons on Christmas Eve and together sang "Silent Night." Even while suffering, the song's fundamental message of peace has bridged cultures and generations. It speaks of hope in hard times and of beauty that arises from pain. Our children will fail, they will disappoint us, and they will go through difficult times. As parents, it's easy to panic, and whether we realize it or not, our negative reactions to these things place more pressure on them. They need a message of hope from us – they need to know that they have the power to recover and the strength to endure failures and difficult times. They need to understand that beauty can arise from their pain.

The 12 Days of Christmas

Centuries ago, Catholicism was outlawed. That's when the author of this song found a creative way to express the true meaning of Christmas. Each verse references religious beliefs but sung as the carol, could be performed in public without fear of persecution. The "True Love" refers to God, and the "partridge in a pear tree" is code for Jesus dying on the wooden cross for our sins. The story of Christmas is a story of God's relentless love for us. It began in the heart of God and is only complete when it reaches the heart of man. As you engage in traditions and celebrate Christmas, take a moment to reflect on Luke 2 and John 3:16 and the gift it offers you and your family.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Finally, from everyone here at College Careers Consulting, we wish you a Merry Little Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Need help identifying your student's strengths and talents? Call us today to see how we can help.