We’ve all been there. We’ve all had that moment when we feel desperate and alone as we face unfamiliar situations, or perhaps too-familiar situations, and strive to look for answers to make things better. With more than 15,000 students in Wylie, difficult situations cross our paths from time to time. Some issues are from illness, others from students making choices out of sadness or anger when they face problems. I have scratched my head and tried to find reasons as to why our kids seek permanent solutions towards problems that will come and go in a very short period of time. I have sought guidance on this topic. After speaking with psychiatrists, psychologists, educators, and other leaders in this field, I found my best answer from a friend and pastor, Kris Segrest.
He explained that folks find themselves in what he calls “little while places” which seem daunting. When people are placed in challenging situations and cannot see the end in sight, they may get desperate and make bad choices—permanent choices. A romantic breakup, a bad grade on a test, not making a team, etc. can all trigger a “little while place” feeling for kids. Effectively navigating through a “little while place” is critical to long-term happiness. How we teach them to recognize a “little while place” could help them from making rash decisions or judgments that could affect the rest of their lives.
We all find ourselves in a “little while place” every once in a while. Our goal in our schools is for kids to know they can visit others when they need help navigating through a crisis—teachers, counselors, principals, and even their superintendents are willing to guide them. My heart is heavy today as we face a crisis from a student making such a choice during a “little while place” moment. We take things like this personally in Wylie because we are a family and because we love your babies like our own. There is nobody on this planet who loves your kids more than Mike Williams and his folks at East. Parents, please take a moment this evening and talk to your kids about these “little while places” and let them know that there isn’t a mountain we can’t help them climb. Please pray for us today. We are stronger together—that’s the Wylie Way.
