School is coming to a close in May and June for most schools throughout the United States. What a school year it has been—unlike any other we’ve experienced!

As we reflect, it’s easy to look back over the past year and focus on all our families have missed. We could create a laundry list of things that didn’t turn out the way we had hoped or planned.

But what do we want our kids to focus on?

Of course, when they look back in the years to come, they will remember loss and disappointment. But could we also teach them to look for the good things too?

The way we as parents frame the school year has a huge impact on our kids. If we dwell on the hard parts, the frustrations, or the disappointments, our kids will too. If we focus on the blessings that came, the good things we were able to experience, and the progress made toward normal life, our kids will too!

Kids have an uncanny way of parroting back to us the things we say and the things we do. Let’s be examples of positivity and perseverance instead of grumbling or complaining.

Does this mean that we completely ignore reality and the hard things that have happened?

Of course not! It means that we rejoice and look for silver linings in the reality of the difficult year and a half we’ve all been through. It means we look to God for our hope, joy, and peace because He never changes, even when the world around us does.

God calls us to rejoice and be grateful despite our circumstances. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (Emphasis mine.)

As we approach the end of the school year, we can powerfully model this for our kids. We can point them to faith in the Lord throughout every season, even and especially the difficult ones. We can teach them to have an attitude of gratitude and look for the blessings of this school year.