Mental Health for Tweens

As we close another school year, I find myself doing what many parents do—scrolling through pictures, watching highlight reels, and taking in the sea of awards, honors, final report cards, and championship recaps. It’s a season full of recognition—and rightfully so. Our students have worked hard, and I’m proud of every single one of them. But if I’m honest, this time of year also brings something else: comparison. As a mom—and especially as a foster mom—I know the ache of wondering, “Did we do enough?” When you see others walking across stages with medals or receiving high marks, it’s easy to let insecurity creep in. Social media doesn’t help—we see everyone’s best moments, not the hard work and heart work that happened behind the scenes. But God sees the *whole* picture. And He’s teaching me—again—that faithfulness is greater than flashiness. That formation matters more than recognition. And that at Providence Academy, we are in the business of something deeper than grades or game-winning points. We’re forming *souls*. We’re teaching children to love what is true, good, and beautiful. We’re helping them build lives anchored in Christ. That’s what I love about classical Christian education. It follows a different rhythm than the world. It values the process. It honors the struggle. It teaches that virtue comes *before* victory. In Proverbs 22:6, we’re told, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” That’s a promise that speaks to *formation*—slow, steady, faithful formation that isn’t always seen in year-end certificates but will be seen in the kind of person our children become. Yes, we pursue excellence. Yes, we cheer when students succeed. But more than that, we celebrate when a child grows in patience. When a student owns a mistake. When a teammate encourages another. When a class chooses kindness over cliques. Those are the victories I’ll remember from this year. As a parent, I’m learning to take a long view. There will always be someone faster, stronger, or ranked higher. But in the Kingdom of God, faithfulness is the measure. And at Providence, I see that kind of faithfulness lived out daily—by students, teachers, and families alike. So if this year didn’t end with the spotlight on your child, take heart. They are growing. They are being formed. And the Lord is at work—even in the unseen. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just raising graduates. We’re raising disciples. And that’s a victory worth celebrating.