On What Really Matters

I came across a link to a video on Facebook the other day and it really got my wheels turning.

Please, check it out and then continue on, it’ll make more sense. It’s only just over a minute. 😉

When I was in middle and high school, the primary means of communicating among friends was in-between classes and note-passing. And BOY did I look forward to the note-passing. Each note all folded up into intricate shapes like houses or GASP! a heart from my boy crush, combined with the thrill of possibly getting caught, all sent adrenaline racing through my veins.

By the eighth grade my friends and I started getting cell phones, but these were basic dial-the-number with a pre-paid amount of minutes type of cell phone that was to be solely used to call the parents and occasionally a friend with permission.

In high school almost everyone had a cell phone but texting wasn’t  invented yet, so they weren’t really used until after school hours.

In college texting was popular but that was about it. There was no checking Facebook, browsing the Internet or Tweeting one’s every move. Phones just weren’t doing that yet.

As a former high-school teacher I saw first-hand how frequent students were using their cell phones during school hours. Not to make calls, but to text each other before school, after school, and during school. During my class! Pfft!

I’ve been out of the classroom now for almost four years and can only imagine the kind of communication going on. Facebook, Twitter, texting, Instagram, and so forth have become so incredibly popular, and accessible, and now that I am a mother I think about what will be trending during my kids’ teen years and how I can protect them from the harm that can encompass various angles of such easy communicating access.

For example, there are the issues of drugs and sex that were brought up in the video. Think about how easy it is now for someone to gain information and access to these things? A quick text and someone  meeting another out back for a smoke. Another quick text and a pornographic image is texted to one’s boyfriend that is later shown around school.

Dan Ashley asked our thoughts on the matter of parent involvement and here are mine:

I couldn’t agree more. As parents we need to educate our kids on the dangers and threats to these things at an early age. As in, earlier than we might think. They’re going to learn elsewhere if not.

Think about it… where did you learn about sex and drugs? Was it in sex-education class? Or did you start learning about it earlier?

My guess is the latter.

Yes, it is awkward and uncomfortable to talk to your PARENTS about these things, and vice versa. But, maybe it doesn’t have to be? If the line of communication is established at an early age and the proper information given, maybe a bond will form where kids will want to come to parents to openly discuss issues, concerns or things they’re curious about or have heard. And if the proper information is given then maybe that will be that and the curiosities won’t be pursued.

I recently went to a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group where sex education was the topic and the educated speaker couldn’t enforce enough that kids need to learn about these things early. Very early. As in starting as early as age four. That little fact had my eyes quite wide being that my first-born is about to  turn that exact age. Now, she wasn’t saying give the entire speech of conception at such a young age, but to start using the proper terminology and to be as honest as you can when children start to ask questions.

So, in all, I say suck it up and talk to your kids! And keep talking! It’ll only benefit them throughout their lives.

What do you think?

Side note– The guest speaker at the MOPS group recommended some books on the topic and I thought I’d share them with you.

How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex by Stanton Jones

From Diapers to Dating by Debra Haffner

Talking to Your Kids About Sex by Mark Lasser

Thanks for stopping by!