Are you like me, when all the things we should be doing start to feel like an impossible dream? We’re bombarded with memes, messages, and videos about the importance of gratitude, quality time with loved ones, reading more, and being outdoors. Don’t get me wrong—these are all spot on. They’re things we should be striving for, and the parenting tips that remind us to spend intentional time with our young people really do make a difference.
But let’s be honest: life doesn’t pause. There are still meals to cook, messages to reply to, laundry to fold, and emails piling up like laundry baskets. And all of it can feel a bit overwhelming.
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
That’s why I want to encourage our wonderful GCC parents and families.
When I look around our College, I see young people who are, by and large, considerate, hard-working, and respectful. Just this week, at the athletics carnival, we had a high level of student attendance and participation—something not always seen at other schools. Many of our students took part in events outside their comfort zone, even knowing they might not place. That’s courage and character on display.
It comes from you.
It comes from the patient reminders:
“Do your homework.”
“Brush your teeth.”
“Pack your bag.”
“Say thank you.”
These daily nudges might feel repetitive, but they matter. Because of your love, consistency, and guidance, we work with students who show up ready to learn and grow, and that is something to celebrate.
Raising Digitally Resilient Kids
When your children are digitally wise—because you’ve put safeguards in place, taught them about healthy tech habits, and had ongoing conversations—it shows. When we speak with students about online safety or screen time, they listen. Why? Because you’ve already laid the groundwork. Research confirms that parental involvement in digital literacy is one of the most effective ways to build resilience and good judgement in the online world.¹
Optimism Is a Skill (and You’re Teaching It)
By gently steering your children away from negative thinking and helping them see the positives, even during tough moments, you’re helping shape their mental wellbeing. Optimism isn’t fluff; it’s a skill. A long-term study found that cultivating optimism in young people leads to improved resilience, stronger relationships, and higher overall well-being.²
When your child is disappointed, you don’t brush it off or try to fix it instantly. You sit with them in it, helping them process and find a way through. That’s powerful parenting.
Marigolds vs Walnuts: The Influence of Friendships
We often remind students that the people they surround themselves with influence their growth. If they’re surrounded by “walnuts”—people who drain their energy and sour the environment—it’s hard to thrive. But “marigolds”—those positive, encouraging peers—create a nurturing environment. This idea, sometimes called The Marigold Effect, reinforces what we aim to do at GCC: surround students with others who help them grow.³
Fortunately, Glasshouse is a place where marigolds outnumber the walnuts.
Looking Out the Window (Not in the Mirror)
There are two kinds of people: those who, when things go well, look in the mirror and think, “I’m amazing,” and those who look out the window and say, “Look at all the people who helped make this possible.”
At Glasshouse Christian College, we’re looking out the window. And we see you.
Thank you for all the invisible work you do every day to raise young people of character. Please don’t let “Do-Good Fatigue” get the better of you. Your effort is noticed, and your children are better for it. So are we.
Footnotes:
- Livingstone, S., & Helsper, E. J. (2008). Parental Mediation of Children’s Internet Use Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 52(4), 581–599.
- Seligman, M. E. P., Ernst, R. M., Gillham, J., Reivich, K., & Linkins, M. (2009). Positive education: Positive psychology and classroom interventions. Oxford Review of Education, 35(3), 293–311.
- Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2017). The Marigold Effect: Finding supportive people in your professional life. Inspired by Jennifer Gonzalez’s metaphor in Cult of Pedagogy.
Jacq Vreeling, Head of Middle School