Dear Parents and Carers,

Many years ago, a colleague of mine attended a conference and shared with me something she took away from one of the sessions. She explained it as: The line of life. Interestingly if you Google this phrase, you’ll find information about reading the lines on your palms.

In the Line of Life there is a central line with words above the line and words below, the letters OAR and BED are acronyms (letters that simply help us to remember the words). 

Ownership     Accountability     Responsibility      (OAR)

The Line of life__________________________________________

Blame              Excuses                   Denial                      (BED)

The line of life is a simple tool to help with conversations about our choices; in her classroom this teacher taught the students about above-the-line behaviours and below- the- line behaviours. 

She would say to a student: “Where’s your homework?”  If she received a reply like,

“Mum forgot to put it in my bag” she would say- that’s below the line- it’s not your Mum’s responsibility to put your homework book in your bag” (Blame and Excuse)

I know I am below the line when it comes to exercise in winter- “I don’t have the time, it’s too cold" etc. etc. (Excuses) 

Its not easy, but as adults, we can choose to live above the line and teach our children that it is a good place to be.  

Stay warm and well.

Many Blessings,