Preacher on the Run…

“Does [my son’s name] have a cell phone?” I received the text from a friend in the middle of a typical Thursday afternoon. It was quickly followed up with another text…”what’s your plan for that?”. This friend and I have had many conversations over the years, some have revolved around parenting. Our oldest two children are roughly the same age and so we are figuring out this thing called parenting at the same time. (Neither of us has mastered it yet. As I told a first-time father this week, “I can’t tell you the ‘right’ way, but I can tell you countless ways not to do it”.) But then my friend sent one more text before I responded that read, “a ton of people (kids) got them this year on our street”.

Ever have that feeling like you’re going to be that weird, unusual family? There are so many pressures on kids and thus parents these days. Experiences your kids “must have”. Ways in which you just cannot hinder your children. Things you must provide for them to ensure they don’t have trauma. To be honest, it’s exhausting some days. The pressures to provide, participate, and possess so much for your kids are endless. And the phone decision is just one of them, but a critical one.

Not every family will or should make the same decisions regarding smartphones, social media, and screens for their children. Truthfully, it should vary from kid to kid in the same family in my opinion, but that’s beside the point. The reality is every parent will make a decision (intentionally or unintentionally) about phones, screens, and social media. It’s the world we live in. But I love learning and hearing how other families (especially ones slightly further along than we are) navigate this landscape, which is why I found Jordan Woodie’s article “How One Family Navigated Smartphones and Social Media in the Teen Years” helpful.

I’m not saying I agree with everything in Woodie’s article, but it’s always nice to hear how other parents forged ahead in these waters. It’s especially helpful when they share not just the what, but the why behind their decisions. My friend and I had a great conversation after his initial texts. It was encouraging to both of us (well, I hope it was encouraging to him). But it also prompted me to reaffirm our family’s previous decision regarding phones and social media. What about you and your family? How have and are you handling this situation? If you’re already past this stage of parenting – how did it play out for you? If you have already made decisions, why so? I’d love to hear from you.

As always be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day…Until Next Time!

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash