Can I start this post with a confession?
Before I became a parent, I honestly couldn’t figure out why people cringed at the thought of having hard conversations with their kids.
I grew up in a home with open and honest dialogue about pretty much everything, and I just assumed that it came naturally and easily.
Here’s another confession:
Since becoming a parent, I start to break out in a sweat when I think about the tough conversations I need to have with my kids.
When I envision sitting across the table or in the car talking about race, technology, sex and safety, I get nervous.
Then, I repent of judging all the parents who have admitted to me at some point or another that having these conversations with their kids are hard. I think I get it now.
Despite the anxiety and discomfort that comes from having hard conversations, I am convinced that it is our responsibility as parents, caregivers and leaders to have conversations with our kids about things that matter.
We cannot just hope that the hard things go away, resolve themselves, or our kids learn about them in another avenue.
We must be on the frontlines with our kids – answering questions, having dialogue and being safe people to talk to.
Because here is the truth – someone is going to be talking to our kids about the important things.
Whether indirectly – through television, social media or YouTube – or directly, through friends, teachers, family members or classmates – someone is going to help them form their worldview.
Someone is going to make space for them to ask questions, and someone is going to share their opinion on the tough topics that make us squeamish.
So, who do you want it to be?
I’m sure, like most parents, you want it to be you.
But, if you’re like me, I don’t always know where to start.
The wealth of information, opinions and views on important subjects is endless. Google searches are overwhelming, and usually lead me down a rabbit trail that ends in me buying something on Amazon.
This is what led me to create “Talking About Things That Matter.”
Talking About Things That Matter is designed to provide you with conversation guides for your family.
These guides are:
- Based on biblical principles and centred on Jesus
- Up-to-date (You won’t find any stats or info from 1996… I’ve done and am continuing to do, my homework)
- Realistic: I know life is busy and chaotic, so I hope that what I share here can fit into the life you lead already!
- Filled with helpful resource recommendations
You can find blog posts in this series on diversity & differences, social media, having “the talk” and technology.
You can also purchase a “Talking about Things that Matter” Bundle in the Equip Family Shop. Edition 1 includes:
- 4 printable PDF articles to share with parents
- 7 social media images for each topic (2 styles) to share on your ministry’s social media
- A social media guide
- Discussion Questions on each topic
- Resource Recommendations
If you’re a family ministry leader you could use this resource in a number of ways. Consider using it to:
- Host a “Talking About Things That Matter” Month on your ministry’s social media page. Focus on a different topic each week following the social media plans in the bundle. Consider going live to share some of your own thoughts or favourite tidbits from the article.
- Have a “Tough Topics” Week on your ministry’s social media pages each month. Choose one topic per month, and set aside a week to talk about it with the social media plans!
- Consider hosting a Virtual Parent Training Session to talk about one of these topics. Use the PDF article as a guide to the conversation, open up the conversation using the Social Media Plan, and email the Recommended Resources and Discussion Questions to everyone who attends!
- Have a “Parents’ Day Away” where you talk about tough topics! Consider having an expert (eg. racial reconciliation expert, family counsellor, a local social media expert) to come in and share with your parents on the topic! Hand out the resources included in the Talking About Things Matter Bundle in the Welcome Packet, and use the Social Media Images and Plan to follow up after your event!
Let’s commit to talking about the things that matter – even when it’s tough. Our kids deserve it.