This is the first generation where wisdom is not automatically flowing down from the older to the younger generation - specifically in the area of technology. How many grandparents ask their 10 year old grandchild to show them how to work the DVD player? How many of our children understand the computer more than we do?

Derek Semmler makes an interesting point over on Dad Balance when he says:

There are times when it may feel like you are supposed to have all the answers and know how to do just about anything. If you encounter a time where you don’t know, you might even fake it well enough that everyone thinks you know.
But did you know that not knowing how to do something could be a very rewarding experience?

If we are able to put aside any insecurities we can not only learn things from our children but they can learn a lot more from us. We get our DVD working, our video recording automatically, our computer functioning better - but they get to understand humility, being teachable, they have value. A classic win-win situation.

Posted: September 29th, 2007 under Parents, Teenager.
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Trust is an interesting thing. One of life’s mysteries in the sense that it is easy to recognise but kinda hard to define - not so much the word but the ‘knowing’ whether or not to trust someone. It’s kinda intuitive - which by definition is beyond definition.

I am a youthworker, working in high schools [amongst other places] and I had a recent opportunity that demonstrated trust.

Let me explain - and before I get into the detail - let me tell you that I have randomly changed the names of people to protect their identity, so if you are local to me then - no - you can’t work it out.

I will call him Kevin.

I know Kevin quite well, we have chatted about life, about anger, about his parents, about his girlfriend. In some sense the level of conversation [which continues on MSN most evenings] so I could have argued that Kevin trusted me - and he does.

The way he demonstrated it was a definite first for me - and may well be a last [I am not seeking a repeat opportunity for sure!].

He and 2 friends came into my school office, laughing and joking and asking if I was free and if I had some time for them. My instant response was ‘no - go to class’ as I sensed they were just seeking a place to hide away from doing any school work. It was not so - Kevin had a problem - a deep seated problem - so deep seated he couldn’t deal with it himself and needed a helping hand.

He had sat on a picnic bench, slid along it and acquired a splinter in the body part he was using to sit with. There was NO WAY he wanted his mates to help him - so he asked me. I was honoured - well kind of.

The next few minutes were spent removing unwanted items out of Kevin’s 16 year old buttock - it was not an easy task. A definite sense of trust in me and a steady hand.

When and how did your teen demonstrate their trust in you?

Posted: September 4th, 2007 under Teenager.
Comments: none