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Happy September Parents!

It's not officially the fall season, but school is back.... so it's fall, ha! It's time to set the alarm again, help with homework, pack lunches, watch football, enjoy bonfires and tailgate. We're praying this fall season will be a meaningful time of growth within your family!

Summer at Real was AMAZING! We have much to celebrate from the past season:

Real had 30 summer interns and welcomed 5 adult leaders to the team. 22 students served in Detroit with Courage Church and 6 students traveled to Thailand to support our missionaries, Pierce & Meghan Davis! Real's average Wednesday night attendance in August was 94 – up from 70 during the 17/18 school year. We welcomed 8 new students to Real and 15 new 7th graders in August

Real is happening every Wednesday at 7PM this Fall, except Nov. 21 (Thanksgiving). Scroll down to see Real's Calendar, Fall Hang Time & Parent Blog. Sign up for text updates, by simply texting ‘realparent’ to 555-888.

We love serving your family! We're always available to connect over the phone or grab a quick coffee!
–Pastor Matt & the Real Leadership Team
https://www.youtube.com/watch/jBC23GV6eDU
Summer Stories: Celebrating what God has done! Natalie, Sawyer, Michael, Addy, Sarah, John Paul, Bella, Syera, Sarah, Addie, Hope & Sophie
TIPS FOR PARTNERING WITH REAL LEADERS

There are few relationships in a student's life with as much potential as the relationship between them and a trusted adult. While a parent is the most important influence, the truth is students (and their parents) simply need other adults supporting them and speaking truth into their lives.

Real leaders are already leaning in and investing in your students every week. In order to maximize their influence, here are a few tips to partnering with them:

COMMUNICATION
Ask leaders what their preferred mode of communication is (text, email, etc.) and use it! If you have concerns or questions about your child or the phase they are in, reach out!

TRUST
Allow the leader to lead with authority. Avoid asking them what your students is sharing at Real. There needs to be an established trust for them to get the most out of their relationship.

HELP!
Offer to host or co-host an hangout. Grab some snacks and open your home to your kids and their group. You’ll get to know the other students and friends in their group better and support their leaders at the same time.

SAY THANK YOU
Being a Real leader is a huge commitment. And it doesn’t exactly pay well, ha! Saying thank you with a note or a gift card will go a lot further than you think!

BE AN ENCOURAGER
Be a leaders biggest supporter, encourager, and cheerleader. Typing a quick text will let them know you believe in them and want to be there for them.

PRAY
Leaders wants to make a big impact in your students life and their friends. But just like parenting, it’s not always easy or intuitive. Pray for them, that they will have wisdom to say and do the right things, and that they will be able to build a relationship with each student.
Hang Time | activities designed around 5 family values
Download the Fall Parent Hang Time
Real's Google Calendar
Parent Breakfast
September 22LOCATION: Kfirst Ministry Center, 10-11AM
Come eat breakfast and connect with Pastor Matt, Real's Leadership Team and other parents of Real students. We want to share our vision and philosophy of youth ministry, important 2018-19 school year dates, and give you free, helpful parent resources!

Please RSVP by texting 'realparent' to 555-888.
Fall Day
October 20LOCATION: Gull Meadow Farms, 4-11PM
Instead of Fall Retreat, we're having Fall Day!

We're heading to Gull Meadow Farms for apple picking, corn maze, petting zoo, donuts & cider, and fall activities. After we'll have a bonfire and cookout!

Register here!
No Real
November 21
Happy Thanksgiving!
No Real
December 26
Merry Christmas!
https://www.youtube.com/watch/pS8A5BdJfY0
Culture Snapshot: Parents Influence Teen Sleep Habits
HomeWord.com -HomeWord.com
A recent study by researchers at UCLA and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teenagers' sleeping habits are highly influenced by their parents. Although teens and parents often went to bed and got up at different times, the duration of sleep, general bedtimes and wake up times for both were eerily similar -- with teens only averaging 17 minutes more of sleep than their parents on weekdays.

The study followed over 300 pairs of teens and parents for nearly two years, with researchers tracking the daily activities and sleep habits of the participants.

With the results of the study in mind, parents should evaluate their own sleeping habits, and make changes where necessary in order to role model behaviors that may result in improved sleeping habits by their teens.

Why it matters:
- Today's teens are notorious for not getting adequate sleep. A recent study found that in 2012, just 63% of 15-year-olds reported getting seven or more hours of sleep a night, a figure that is down from 72% in 1991.

- Researchers have linked the lack of adequate sleep for teens to a multitude of substantial adolescent problems including decreased level of overall health, poorer school performance, an increase in depression, and an increase in the likelihood of involvement in at-risk behaviors.

- In February of 2015, the National Sleep Foundation released updated recommendations on the amount of sleep teens and adult should get nightly. The updated recommendations were based on a review of published scientific studies and consensus from a panel of sleep, medical and psychological experts. The new recommendation for teens is 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, and 7 to 9 hours for adults.
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Parent Breakfast

Fall Day

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Culture Snapshot: Parents Influence Teen Sleep Habits