Are You Listening?

Why have America's children turned to electronics for companionship? Today's parents have very mixed emotions about the technology available to their children. On the one hand parents are grateful to have access to portable DVD players, games, I-Pods, etc. It serves as a distraction or babysitter in the car or home.

On the other hand, parents who want a relationship with their children can’t seem to get the earphone out of the child's ear. This is nothing new. It has escalated to a point where moderation is now required.

Twenty years ago children's educational television arrived on the scene. It seemed perfectly timed for the busy parent trying to get dinner ready. Instead of bringing her children into the kitchen to teach them how to be helpful, or at least sit on the floor and play with the pots and pans, moms of America parked her children in front of the television. What mattered was that it kept the children out of mom’s hair while she got dinner ready.

We have now raised a generation that has no idea how to talk with their children. Even when mom is walking and pushing a child in a stroller, instead of talking with her child and helping him learn about the world he is seeing, she’s on her cell phone.

Everyone has a need to communicate. Today's teen has sought after ways to find people who will listen rather than lecture. Sadly they have gone to strangers, via My-Space, text messaging, IM, cell phones, and Facebook. These new venues that have replaced the kitchen table are not so much a statement about today's teen as they are a statement about today's parent. Parents are attempting to manage their children by lecture rather than train their children by listening.

There will always be a need for rules, but rules without relationship equals rebellion. There is a great need for today's parent to choose to set aside time to listen to their children. We value them as people when we take the time to listen. There is a verse in the Bible that says it well: My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19 NLT) This wisdom is probably more important for families than for any other relationship.

Who are your children listening to? Listening begins with being listened to. Are you listening?