All you readers out there know by now that I’m constantly at war with the technology that infiltrates the lives of my two teenagers. Their cell phones are my worst enemies, my son’s Xbox coming in second. I often write about my frustration with competing for their attention and their lack of participation in our house.
If I let them be, both my teens would sit on their devices and entertain themselves for hours a day. Last week, I received an email from a reader bringing to light his worry about what technology is doing to our teens and what the future holds. It seems, all parents worry about the technology use.
If I put on my fortune-teller hat, I would predict an unknown world ahead for this generation. What that looks like? I am not sure, but as parents we can try to derail the negative affects.
In correlation to this reader email, I recently listened to a radio interview from a woman who released a new book about how technology has changed the landscape for today’s teens. The book is titled iGen and I would highly recommend it to anyone raising teenagers.
I believe that us parents need as much inspiration as we can get, even if one idea resonates with us, it’s worth it. What’s the old saying? Knowledge is power. That has never been truer in my world, right now as I parent my two teenagers.
Thirdly, along with the email and the book, I bumped into a friend at the grocery store. We got to talking (she is a high school teacher) about her family and her concerns with her preteen daughter. After a couple of laughs and shared stories we parted ways and on my drive home I found myself feeling relieved from our short conversation.
I swear the best advice and truth comes from fellow parents. What we tend to forget is that even though we all have different situations, our realities are the same. We love our teenagers, but they often leave us aghast.
There are days when I question what I’m doing wrong, why my teens can be wonderful and terrible all at the same time. And then I talk to another parent and I feel like I’m doing ok. When you are in thick of it sometimes it’s nice for someone other that your spouse to pull you out of the mud. So here’s to “mom talk.” I highly recommend it. Dads should try it too.
Moving forward, this is what I personally know to be true. Teenagers are really hard on us parents. They are also utterly and completely wonderful, amazing people. They are full of creativity, wonder, beauty and light.
But, they can also be dark and unpredictable. They can make us question our parenting and our sanity. They are a day by day experiment in understanding. Every day is an opportunity for growth and learning and an exercise in complete and total open mindedness. I also know this: take advice, listen to other parents, read parenting books and for heavens sake, limit their cell phone use.
I know we all want the same things for our families. We want a loving home environment, we want healthy teenagers, both mind and body. We want good relationships, good marriages, good friendships. Personally, that is all attainable if I stay on track and carve out time for myself, my husband and my children.
There are not enough hours in a day to do everything we want, but there are enough minutes to say I love you to your teens, to kiss your spouse, run around with your younger ones. Let’s all slow down, get back to seeing clearly what’s really, truly important. I’m ready for the challenge. Are you?
Let’s start today: Ready, set, go.
Elizabeth Knobel lives in Windsor and is the mother of two teens who give her inspiration everyday. She can reached at el*********@ms*.com.
